REFORM PARTY RALLY

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 437, 7 February 1912, Page 5

REFORM PARTY RALLY

Arrangements in connection with the garden party end banquet tendered to Mr W. F . Massey (leader), Mr C. K. Wilson and other members of the Reform Party are now complete, and a record gathering is anticipated for this afternoon at the school grounds. The majority of the members of the party in the North Island are expected to be present. Mr E. Newman, member for Rangitikei, arrived yesterday morning, and was shown round the town during the day. This morning a number of members arrived from the South, and the remainder, including Mr Massey, will arrive by the 4 o'clock train this afternoon.

In view of the near approach of what promises to be the most interesting, session of Parliament within twenty years, the gathering is of great political importance. It is not expected that any fresh light will be shed oh the present situation, but an indication of the strength and aims of a dominant force in political life is always of the greatest interest, not merely locally, but to the Dominion as a whole.

The Reform Party rally to be held this afternoon and to-night, was heralded this morning by the arrival of members from the southern part of the island. Accompanied by his Worship the Mayor (Mr James Boddie) and Mr C. K. Wilson, member for the district,the paty proceeded this morning to the Maori meeting house, where they were received by Mr John Hetet, who explained the traditions of the various carvings which ornament the building. The visiting members were entertained at luncheon at Kelvin House, at which function the Mayor also presided.

In conversation with a reporter this morning, Mr D. Buick', M.P. for Palmerston, expressed his surprise at the great strides being made by Taumarunui and Te Kuiti. He considered from what he had seen of the King Cuntry that what was wanted was the freehold, and as far as he was concerned, he wuuld do all in. his power to see that the object was attained.

Mr F. M. B. Fisher (Wellington Central) said that he was agreeably surprised with' the progress of the towns along the line. He was anxious to know more about the King Country, and proposed, if possible, to spend two or three days gathering information, and making a personal inspection. Mr E. Newman (Rangitikei) arrived yesterday and has been busy gathering information about the King Country—it 3 progress and its needs. From what he had seen he was of the opinion that Te Kuiti must develop into a good fat stocK centre. The erection of freezing works, he considered, was necessary as ha was confident that the growing of fat lambs would be a profitable industry for the reason that the country was well suited for the growing of root crops. He was remarkably surprised how red clover thrived, which was an excellent forage for the fattening of lambs, and was a valuable asset to the district. Talking about the possibility of speculation, Mr Newman stated that he had been bush farming for the past 20 years, and thought that there was no unearned increment as far as the genuine bush settler was concerned.