THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Mataura Ensign, 25 January 1912, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

GREAT REFORM RALLY. ENTHUSIASM IN AUCKLAND. r-Kii WXITKT-. TI?.T?SS ASSOCIATION AUCKLAND, Jan. 24. A huge demonstration was held by the Reform Party in the Town Hall to-night. There was an attendance of over SOOO persons, the accommodation of the hall being fully taxed. Mr F-. J. Baguall (ox-Mayor) occupied the chair. A long programme of sj>eeehes was delivered by members of the Reform Party, of whom eighteen were present.. The audience gave Mr Massey and his followers a most hearty reception, the leader himself being the subjest of a remarkable display of enthusiasm.

The first speakers were Dr A. K. Newman (Wellington East) and Mr C. K. Wilson (Taumaranui), who received a warm and cordial reception. Mr Massey, when he rose to address the large assembly, was greeted by prolonged cheers, followed by the singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow" and further cheers. When the demonstration had subsided the popular leader returned thanks. He was grateful to the people of Auckland, ho said, for having removed the reproach often hurled at the prominent members of the Reform Party in Parliament that they were unable to secure support in the great district where they were best known. He was quite certain that they would never have cause to regret jt. (Applause.) He had great pleasure in being there to introduce the members of the Reform Party. The object of the gathering, ho proceeded, was to give the people of. Auckland an opportunity of meeting the members of the Reform Party, the members in whom the confidence of the great majority of the people of the country had been placed, and from whom the people expected progressive and economical and efficient administration. There were men .that night whose names would be written large in the history of the country, men who had fought through many a long sitt'ng for what they believed to be right. Not all the gold in fhe Bank of New Zealand could buy any one of them. (Applause.) The Reform Party had i been sent back greatly increased in strength, and he had no doubt he would get the same loyal assistance from the new members as he had from those more experienced. Many of those new mebers were young New Zealanders, who would make their names in the Parliamenet of New Zealand. (Applause.) The general elections of 1911 were now a matter of history .and he thought it was quite safe to say that never in the lifetime of the present generation would some of the surprises and some of the incidents in connection with that election be forgotten. He regretted that some of the members of the Party had fallen in the battle. It was a pretty good record to say that they had lost only four members in six years, \ but those members were good and true, i They, however, were not done with yet, I and he looked forward to the time when I

they would again take their places in the political arena; and they would carry the banner of the Reform Party to still greater victories. The people of New Zealand were looking forward with great interest to the coming session of Parliament; so were Sir Joseph, Ward and himself. (A voice: "His move." and laughter.) "No," retorted Mr Massey, "it will be my move when the House meets." (Applause.) It did not require a prophet or the son of a prophet to predict -that for the first time in 21 years the people of New Zealand were going to have a change of Government. (Prolonged cheers.) The people had demanded it, and what they demanded they must have. (Applause.) He knew perfectly well that when people took over the reins of office they took over great responsibilities; but the Reform Party had never shirked responsibility.. the Reform Party, which had done its duty in op-

position, would do the same when it was placed in power. (Applause.) Whatever changes took place, whether the party continued in ropposition o whether it occupied the Treasury benches, its first thought would be not for itself, but for the welfare of the country to which they all belonged (Applause.) He knew the country required many reforms, and such reforms the party hoped to be able to promote. They hoped to settle the land question by placing the people on the land, to see the industries of the Dominion developed, and to place the finances of the > country upon a sound and clear footing, so that everyone would be able to see whether his money had been properly or badly spent. (Applause.) They also Hoped to promote economical and efficient administration and to dispense with that form of graft known as political patronage. (Applause.) There were many others reforms to which he could refer, but he would content him- ' self with saying that they wanted to see the country do its duty as not the least of the nations that made up the Empire to which it belonged. (Prolonged applause.) Other speakers were Messrs J. A. Young, H. J. Bradney, Newman, F. W. Lang, F. M. B. Fisher, J. S. Dickson, W. Fraser, A. S. Malcolm, Herries, Buick, Guthrie and J. B. Hine, who all explained their allegiance to the party and received careful and attentive hearing.

On the motion of Mr J. P. Campbell, seconded by Mr Archibald Clark, the following resolution was carried by. an overwhelming majority: "That this mass meeting of the supporters of the Reform Party thanks Mr W. F. Massey, M.P., and the other members of Parliament who have addressed the meeting for their eloquent and instructive speeches, expresses its confidence m the Leader of the Reform Party and in those gentlemen who have been elected to support him, and confidently anticipates that he will be entrusted with the formation of a Government which will effect such legislative and administrative reforms as will conduce to the prosperity and lasting welfare of the Dominion."