THE PERFORM PARTY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 86, 11 April 1912, Page 3

THE PERFORM PARTY.

GATHERINGS AT METHVEN. fax TZLSGBAPH — mESS ASSOCIATION.! METHVEX, 10th Apnfc : Mr. C. A. 0. Hardy, ex-M.P. lor Selwyn, was entertained at a complimentary banquet at Melhrai to-night, which was attended by übuut two hundred guests, many being iadke. Amongst thoi-e present weio Mefcsis. Massey (Leader of the Opposition), Nosworthy. Lee. and Smith. XI.LVe. and many leprcsentatuo men of the district. After the toa^t 01 "The Otier-t of the Evening" had been honoured, Mr. Mas<sey. in' responding io that of " 'L'ho Reform Patty." said that the day was an anniversary with him, rs just eighteen )«ais ago he was elected member lor Waitemata. It \\as jiibt prior to the. • General Election in 1905. when the party was in a weak condition, thai ho telt that it wae part ot his life's work to establish the party. Ito had worked to the end of making the party one that would work for the good of the country, and be a true Liberal party — not a sham Liberal one— a democratic and progressive party. The position of the parly now was that there were thirty-eight good men and tuie in the party who intended to do the best they could for the country to which they belonged, and the people they represented. They did not profess to be saints or angels, but he could say that tho party'a first thought was not for themselves but for tho people. He predicted that within the next few months there would not be an electorate without a strong branch of tho Reform party established in it. Other toasts were honoured, and afterwards a public meeting was held. The Methven Town Hall was crowded on the occasion of the presentation of an illuminated address to Mr. C. A. C. Hardy. Speeches wore made by several members of the Reform party. Mr. E. P. Lee, M.I?. (Oamaru), said the fact that the Ward Ministry had resigned was proof that it felt it did not possess the confidence of the country, and the new Ministry similarly did not possess the country's confidence, and ought to meet the House at the earliest possible moment Mr. .F. H. Smith, M.P. (Waitaki), urged the necessity for free agricultural schools, and referring io taxation oil land, he said that land taxation must be on a fair basis. Mr. Hardy, in accepting the illuminated address, stated that he had made up hie mind not to contest tho oelwyn 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 if it were in power and relying on the votes of pledge-breakers. Mr. Massey paid a high tribute to Mr. tlardy, and said though his services were, lost to the House there wae another branch of the Legislature unlikely to lwe' his services. (Continued applause.) He deaJt at considerable length with the present political situation, holding that the present Government did not possess the confidence of the country. It was, ho said, speaking politically, a political humbug. He defined the Reform party's land policy as being in the direction of making available i'or settlement all the availablo Crown and Native lands. He was opposed to unfair taxation of land, but wan in favour of any taxation necessary to ensur* tho closer settlement of large estates. He hoped the history of tho short session would be written, and that publicity woidd bo given to all the wire-pulling that took place. Sir. G. M. Thomson also spoke, criticising the present Government.