MR. H. OKEY, M.H.R.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 1350, 12 June 1907, Page 7

MR. H. OKEY, M.H.R.

SOCIAL AT EGMONT VILLAGE.

There was a large attendance at the Egmoiii Village Hall on .^Tuesday evening, when the electors in'this portion of the Taranaki. constituency tendered to Mr H. Okey, M.H.R., and Mrs Okey, a complimentary social. Mr A. Morton presided, and among those present were Messrs J. Hill, H. Trimble, etc. The Chairman said they had met together to offer their congratulations to Mr Okey on the result of the election. (Applause.) The election was fought on different lines to the two previous elections which had taken place in that disI trict of the colony. The main question before the electors was the Land Bill, and on that question the Government of the day were unable to bring forward a candidate who would support their Bill. They did bring forward a candidate, but he (the speaker) hardly knew exactly what position ho took up in regard to the Bill. The other candidate that came forward took up the same atti.tude in regard to the Bill as Mr Okey. Tho new member was also a member of the Opposition section in Parliament, and although the different sides were commonly referred to as Liberal and Conservative, he maintained there was no party in New Zealand entitled to be called Conservative. They were" all Liberal. , The whole principle of government was Liberal, not Conservative in any sense of the word. Mr Massey, the Leader of the Opposition, had said a short time ago that ( there was practically ho difference betweon the two sections in the House:" The policy of both was for the advancement and progress of tho colcmy'as a whole. Tho administration of the Opposition, however, would be different if they were in power. There had been a good many hard things said of the Government during the past few years,, and charges of impure administration had been attributed to them, and he urged that it was the duty of the electors riot to return these men again, but rather honest, straightforward men, as the Taranaki constituency had done a few weeks ago when they returned 'Mr Okey'. (Applause.) The last election had sHown the country could do a good deal if they ■would only pull together. That had been the failing of the farmers in the past. They did not seem to realise the benefits of organisation. They ba|d, however, been awakened now, he thought, with the result that their man had been returned, and he trusted that when the battle was again fought eighteen months hence, they would still be found united. (Applause.) The question of organisation was one affecting the interests of the farmers very seriously indeed. The co-operative daijry farmers of~Taranaki were now having a contest with an organisation — the Emi ployees' Union — which had made outrageous demands, and he might say! if these were acceded to it would cost the Mangorei factory 50 per cent, more in wages than was the case last year. This proved the want of organisation from the farmers' point of view, for if thjey were organised then; su6h matters would be settled upon a basis Workable for both parties. At the present time they were not organised, and i£ these de 7 , mands were' granted it "would' piactic^ljly mean that several of the factories J'would have to close down. He trust ed, '"fcowe'ver^tlie • demands would W considerably modified." 1 . The Chairman afterwards referreoViovhis Ibng connection with Mr Okey and with the latter's admirable work on various local bodies.' . Messrs. Hall, Trimbloj and Marsh also extended, their congratulations. « Mr Okey returned thanks, and, referring to labour legislation, he said this would have to be dealt, with, in the direction of reducing the cost of living. The wages of the workers had been increased, but the price of the necessaries of life had increased more than proportionately. The farmers did not want men to work at low wages, but the mon should' kflow what 1 was a fair rate. He hoped to see the question 6f the New Plymouth breakwater .extension conic forward, for nothing could be done that would tend to .benefit this district more than by pushing forward with that woK.k with aH possible speed, so as to allow ocean-going boats", to' call direct. He expressed his thanks for giving Mrs Okey a,nd himself that opportunity of meeting them, and said it was .his intention of getting among the electors as much as possible so that- he - might better ascertain their requirements. He desired to work for the people, and was willing to give his time to this end. (Applause.) . • "For he's a jolly good fellow" was afterwards sung with much heartiness. During the evening a ; capital musical programme was rendered, at the conclusion of which a bounteous supper was served. A successful gathering concluded with a dance.