THE REFORM PARTY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1411, 11 April 1912, Page 4

THE REFORM PARTY.

SPEECH BY MIL MASSEY. '(By Telegraph—Frees Association.) Methven, April 10. Mr. C. A. C. Hardy, ex-M.l\ for Selwyn, was entertained at a complimentary banquet at Methven 10-niglrt, which was attended by about two hundred guests, many being ladies. Amongst those present were: Messrs. Masscy (Leader of the Opposition), Noswortliy, Lee, and Smith, M.l'.'s., and many representative men uf the district. After the toast of "The Guest of the Evening"'' had been honoured, Mr. Massey, in responding to that of "The tioform Party," said that Ihe day was an anniversary with him, as just eighteen years ago lie was elected member for AN aitcmata. It was just prior to the general election in 190(1, when the parly was in a weak condition, that he felt that it was part of his life's work to establish the parly. He had worked to> the end of making the party 0110 that would work for the good of the country, and be a truo Liberal party, not a sham Liberal one, & democratic' and progressive party. The position of the parly now was (hat there wero thirty-eight good men and true in tbo party who intcmk'd to do the best they could for Ihe country to which they belonged, and the people they represented. They did not profess to be saints or angels, but ho could say that, the party's first thought was not for themselves but for the people. He predicted that within the next few months there would not he an electorate without a strong branch of (ho lfeform party established in it. Other toasts were honoured, and afterwords a public mooting v.-ns hold. The Methven Town Hall was crowded on the occasion of the presentation of an illuminated address to Mr. C. A. C. Hardy. Speeches were made by several members of the Reform party.

Mr. E. P. lee, 31.P. (Oamarn), said the fact that the Ward Ministry had resigned was proof that, it felt that it did not possess the confidence of the country, and tho new Ministry similarly did not possess the country's .confidence, and ought to meet the House at the" earliest possible moment.

Mr. F. 11. Smith, M.P. (Waitaki), urged the necessity for free agricultural schools, and referring to taxation on land he said that land taxation must be on a fair basis.

Mr. Hardy, in accepting the illuminated address, stated that he had made irp his mind not to contest the Selwyn seat again.

Mr. W. Nosworthy, M.P. (Ashburton), remarked that though the Reform party was not in power it was in a better position than it' it were in power and relying on the votes of pledge-breakers. Mr. Massey paid a high tribute to Mr. Hardy, anil said though his services were lost to the House there was another branch of the Legislature unlikely to lose his services. (Continued applause.) He dealt .at considerable length with the present political situation, holding that the present Government did not possess the confidence of the country. It was, he said, speaking politically, a political humbug. He defined the Reform party's land policy as being in the direction of making available for settlement 'all ■ the available Crown and Native lands. He was opposed to unfair taxation of land, but was in favour of any taxation necessary to ensure the closer settlement of large estates. He hoped the history of the short session would be written, and that publicity would be given to all the wire-pulling that took place. I Mr. G. M. Thomson also spoke, criliI cising the present Government.