HUTT AND PETONE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6490, 9 April 1908, Page 6

HUTT AND PETONE

FARMERS* DINNER AT TAITA. (From Out Resident Reporter.) Farmers and farmers’ sons, some sixty strong, assembled at Taita Hotel last evening ,to celebrate tho first anniversary oV what it is hoped will become a properly organised union of the whole of tho farmers in the central Hurt Valley for the oversight of matters affecting their special interests. Professional and commercial interests were represented also, whilst Mr Wilford, M.P., was pre-sent-to represent the Legislature, And right well did the Taita farmers entertain their guests. The tables were laden, and everything went off with a heartiness and vim that must have been highly gratifying to tho committee, of which Mr H. Jones was secretary. Mr C. W. Broun presided. The toast list was as follows" The Farmers,” proposed by Mr J. McGrath, and responded to by Mr F. Evans; "Parliament,” proposed by Mr John Duthie, responded to by Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P. j "Farmers’ Wives,” proposed by Mr M. Westbury, responded to by Mr J. Braseil. Musical items wore given by Messrs Craoroft Wilson, W. McMenaman, T. M. Wilford, and others. FREED MEN OB SLAVES ? At the farmers’ dinner at Taita laet evening Mr John Duthie ventured into the domain of the sociologist. Recalling the passing of the Eefonn Bill, and the appalling state of social injustice which reigned in Britain at that time, he traced tho growth of freedom, and indicated wherein h© deemed presentday democracy to have swerved from the path set by its apostles of tho days of Chartism. Tho true iueal of Liberalism, he declared, was freedom of action for every man. It was tho right of each one to have full and free opportunity at once to exert his best energies, and to bo euro of his reward. During the past fifty or sixty yeans had been witnessed an immense revolution. Tho wider extension of the franchise to the democracy had brought in its train evil as well as good. Other forms of tyranny had taken the place of those now happily got rid of, but to-day we had tho spectacle of a man lying in ga°l for daring to act as a freeman. There was a time when-a man was hung for such a crime- os shooting hare, but because that was the law ‘it did not follow that it was right. But our labour legislation was equally unjust and outrageous. Wo were being robbed of liberty, tho liberty that had been won for us. It was the right of a freeman to take work at' his own terms, and at his own will. Equally was it the right of those who wanted his services to so employ him. „ Mr Wilford, M.P., to whom fell tho task of responding, traversed Mr Duthie’s arguments, and said that while it was right that our laws should bo framed to give freedom, the legislation should be for the many as against the few. If all employers' were good there would not be one-half the number of laws on tho statute-book as at present. But they were not all good, and it was necessary to teach such men that there was Btich. a thing as humanity, as fair treatment to their fellows. HERETATTNGA MOUNTED RIFLES. At a well-attended meeting in the Tlutt Town Hall last evening Gaptain Samuel received tho names of some twenty men desirous of joining tho proposed Pctono and Hutt. troop of tho above corps. His Worship the Mayor, Mr Peterkin, who presided at the meeting. intimated his intention of offering a silver cup, to be held by the most efficient member of tho new troop each year. Mounted parades will probably be held on tho Hutt Park racecourse* which, it is hoped, will bo available. A PROFITABLE TRANSACTION. Tho Poton© Borough Council some years ago, Mr Kirk then being Mayor, made arrangements with the Wellington Gas Company for the purchase of thirty acres at Peiono, portion of which has been used os a recreation ground. The agreement provided for the purchase, of the laud in ten years’ time for .£3500. As the Council started gasworks on its own account, the company, which held the land for this purpose, relinquished its rights. Part of the land was secured for us© as a gasworks site. Tho sumi of £3OOO, the balance of the purchase money, has < now been handed over to the company just before tho expiration of tho option. The Petouo Council thus owns the freehold of land, the value of which at the! present time is estimated at £30,000.