MR. R. MASTERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XV, Issue 215, 10 December 1925, Page 5

MR. R. MASTERS

HONOURED BY ELECTORS. Stratford, Dec. 10. A large and enthusiastic, gathering of supporters and friends of Mr Robert; Masters, Into member for Stratford, was held last night. The attendance was representative of all parts of the electorate, and the guest was presented by Mr G. W. Forbes, Leader of the Nationalist party, on behalf of the electors, with a handsome roll-top desk and a substantial cheque, while Mrs Masters received a niagnificicnt canteen of cutlery. he speakers included Messrs W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), S. G. Smith (cx-membcr for Taranaki), J. R. Corrigan (ex-member iror Patca), F. Lye (cx-membcr. for Waikato), Broadfoot (To Kuiti) and local electors. Many warm tributes were paid to the work Mr Masters had done, and much regret was expressed at his defeat. All hoped he would again offer his services. Mr Masters received an ovation on rising to reply. He returned thanks for tlie honour done him, and said he hoped the Government, with a huge majority, would act wisely and see no sectional legislation was placed on the Statute Book. He was sorry the Op position was not stronger. Speaking now as a business man and not as a politician, he could say that the financial outlook called for the greatest consideration. It was impossible to inincrease the indebtedness at the rate that had been done during the last few years without an increase in the population so that taxation could be spread more equitably. A country, like a business, could not be fina'need with a view to a continuation of prosperity. They must look ahead and in times of prosperity take cognisencc of lean years which always followed.