PARTY RALLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1923, Page 5

PARTY RALLY.

NEW PLYMOUTH FUNCTION.

GATHERING OF M.P.’s. A WET WELCOME. The elements seemed determined to prevent the holding of the Labor Party's rally at New Plymouth last night, the rain beating down on the iron roof of the Coronation Hall in toilrents and delaying the commencement of the proceedings. Suddenly the big hall was plunged into total darkness through the failure of the electric lighting system. After a quarter of an hour’s wait the lights began to flicker again, and finally shone out with their former brilliance. After the lap«e of an hour, which hart been whiled away in some musical numbers and community singing, pro ceedings were commenced. The chairman for the evening wgs Mr. W. Healy (chairman of Mr. 9. G. Smith’s late election committee), and the gathering was arranged as a complimentary social to Mr. Smith on being again elected to Parliament. Others on the stage were Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., (leader of the Liberal-Labor Party) and Mrs. Wilford, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., and Mrs. Smith, Mrs. E. M. Smith, the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Mrs. R. Masters, and the following Liberal-La-bor MLP.’s: Messrs. W. A. Veitch, H. Atmore, R. Masters and A. E. Ransome. The chairman said that the meeting was arranged by Mr. Smith’s supporters and his committee to celebrate the third occasion on which ho had been returned to Parliament to represent the Taranaki electorate. Mr. Smith. they thought, and the majority of the electors thought, was the best man to represent them, and he had been sent to Wellington not only to represent the .electors, but to support a party, the Liberal-Labor Party,- of which Mr. Wilford was leadef., : TO MR: SMITH. ’ Mr. Wilford to he allowed to take the opportunity, as”leader of the Liberal-Labor Party, of congratulating the constituency on again returning tq Parliament one of those who had done so much for the party, in and out of Parliament, since he was first elected, Mr. S. G. Smith. (Applause). They had to go from home to hear the news, and he wanted to tell them, as an old Parliamentarian, that the members appreciated. Mr. Smith’s sterling qualities and undoubted ability. The speeches, he had made in Parliament, especially on education and matters appertaining to the land, had been listened to with close attention, and it was a matter of satisfaction for the speaker and the LioeraJLabor Party that they should sfee returned to the House such a virile and able Liberal. (Applause). Mr. Wilford also paid a tribute to Mrs. Smith. The balance of his remarks are roporiett elsewhere.

Mr. \V. A. Veitch (member for Wanganui). said that Mr. Sydney Smith had been the speaker’s bonqh-niate ever since Taranaki’s member had been in 11 arliament, and the speaker had ' found Mr. Smith one of the soundest and most reliable men who had been sent to the House; He was a staunch supporter of the Liberal political principles, and an able advocate of the needs of his electorate. Mr. Smith’s political principles were bred in him, and the speaker was glad to see On tlie stage Mrs. E. M. Smith (wife of the gentleman who had so long represented Taranaki in Parliament). Mr. Veitch went on to refer to the differences between the Reform and Liberal parties, declaring that the former was founded on class consciousness and selfishness, whilst the Liberal Party, from John Ballance onward, had advocated sound principles which would benefit all the people. The day of political expediency was passing, for the country wanted to get back to the sound principles expounded by Ballance and Seddon, and the speaker concluded with a plea that those old ideals should be revived. Mr. H. Atmore (M.P. for Nelson), said, that ho was a Liberal-Labor member, but was not pledged to any party. He was, however, a colleague of Mr. Smith, and was glad to bo present to do him honor. He declared the present Government had no initiative and the pendulum was swinging over, for the people of Now Zealand wore Liberal, out and out. The speaker deprecated the spirit of sectarianism. A man had the right to worship God in his own way, providing he did not interfere with another man’s right to do likewise. Elections should be fought on tho bigger issues.

VOICE OF THE FARMERS. Mr. R. Masters (member for Stratford) said he was glad to do honor to “my old friend Syd.” Mr. Smith and the speaker had been intimately connected in politics, and he could say that Mr. Smith was a most painstaking and assiduous member. Taranaki was the most closely settled district of small farmers in New Zealand, and it was a very sore point to Mr. Massey that the province returned a majority of Liberals. The formation of a country party in the Waikato showed again thia dissatisfaction amongst the small farmers with the Government. The ’ small farmers had a real grievance against the Government, who showed that they stood for the big sheep farmers, the trusts, and the combines of the .co.un-. try. Mr. A. E. Ransome (member for Pfthiatua) introduced himself as a playmate of Mr. Wilford at the Lower Hutt in boyhood days. He said the Liberal Party was not deaxl. He beb'evod the outcome of the elections would be for the ultimate good of the country, as he was convinced a new era was opening. There was ample evidence of the growth of Liberalism. The speaker expressed pleasure in being present to do honor to Mr. Smith.

Mrs. Wilford expressed thanks for tfia reception accorded her. She had spoken previously at a public meeting nt New Plymouth on hehulf of the Red Cross, when New Plymouth had responded nobly. New Plymouth always did the right thing, and she wanted to congratulate the town on returning a worthy son of a worthy father.

Mr. Smith prefaced his remarks by reading a number of telegrams he had received, including apologies from Messrs. W. T. Jennings, J. A. Hanan, T. K. Sidev. TL Poland, G. W Forbes, D. L. A. Ashbury, and J. R. Corrigan. Mr. Buddo also forwarded an apology. Referring to the last election campaign, Mr. Smith said he had been glaringly misrepresented, hut he was still member for Taranaki and he was going to do his duty to everyone in the constituency, irrespective of party or creed. The man or woman who Mid the lut fight

was clean know it was not true. Th i legal tactics had been used by tricks that were doubtful, especially the sending of scurrilous reports through tho post. Letters signed “Mary Collies? which, he believed, were not written by a lady, appeared in the ‘paper on several mornings after the election de- ■. crying him. Impudent sectarian s!ate- e ments had been made against the speaker and his family in the last few days of the campaign, and even on the morning before the election. The speaker ' thanked those who had stuck to iiiijfc through thick and thin, special thaiik* being due to Mr. Healy (chairman of tho men’s committee) and Mr’. Jenktna (head of the ladies’ committee) during the campaign. He also thanked hia colleagues in Parliament for coming far to do him honor. Taranaki was- a province to be proud of; it produced £7O per head of population, as ngainst the Dominion average of £4O. In. concluding, the speaker thanked thos© responsible for honoring him that evening. (Applause). A hearty vote of thanks to the chair-' man was moved by Mr. Wilford. \\ho> said he was in his thirtieth year of political and public life, and had lost most' of his illusions, but no man could b» sure of anoceeding in his district unless he had perfect organisation. The vote was carried bv acclamation, and three cheers were given for Mr. Smith. After the chairman had returned thanks, three cheers were accorded the Won. Mr. Wilford and the visiting members. Those contributing t. ■ tho musical programme were Mosdamos Ferry and Wilkes (songs), and Mr. W. KaV (cornet solo). A number of pianoforto mlos and community singing comprised tho balance of tho programme. . An excellent supper was dispensed at the conclusion of the speech-making, after which the hall was cleared for dancing to music supplied by Mka George.