THE REFORM PARTY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143763, 11 April 1912, Page 3

THE REFORM PARTY.

ME. MASSEY AT AIETHYEN. PRESENTATION TO AIR. HARDY. Per Press Association. METHVEN, April 10. Mr. G. A. C. rtaruy, ex-member lor Selwyn, was entertained at a complimentary banquet at iueihven to-niglit, which was attended by about two hundred guests, many being ladies. Amongst those present were Mr. Massey (header of the Opposition), Messrs. Vv. Nosworthy, h . P. Lee, and E. H. Smith (Opposition members), and many representative men ol the district. After the toast of "Tho Guest of the Evening’' had been honoured, -Mr. Mapey, responding on behalf oi oho Reioriu Party, said that the day was an anniversary with him, as just eighteen years ago he was elected member lor Waitemata. It was just prior to the general election ot 1900, wnen the party was in a weak condition, that ho ie)t that it was part of his life’s work to re-establish the party. He had worked to the end of making the party one that would work for the good of the country and a be a true Liberal, party, nor a sham Liberal one— S-. democratic and progressive party. The position of the party now was that there were iiS good men and true in its ranks, .who intended to do the best they could for the country to which they belonged and lor tho people they represented. They did not profess to be unints or angels, but he could say that the party’s thought was not lor themselves, but for the people. H© predicted 'that within the next few months there would not be an electorate without a strong branch ot the Reform I’arty established in it. Other toasts were honoured, and afterwards a public meeting was held. The after meeting was held in the Methven Town Hall, which was crowded on the occasion of the presentation of an illuminated address to Air. C. A. 0. Hardy. Speeches were made by several members of tho Reform Party. Air. E. P. Lee, member for Oamaru, said that the tact that the Ward Ministry had resigned was proof that it felt that it did not possess the confidence of the country', and tho new Ministry similarly did not possess the country’s confidence and ought to meet the House at the earliest possible moment. Air. F. H. Smith, member for AVaitaki, urged the necessity for free agricultural schools, and, referring fo the taxation of land, ho said that land taxation must be on a fair basis. , Mr. Hardy, in accepting the illuminated address, stated that he had made up his mind not to contest the Solwyn seat again. Mr. W. Nosworthy, member for Ashburton, remarked that though the Reform party was not in power it was in, a bettor position than if ft wore in power and relying on tho votes of pledge-breakers. Air. Massey paid a high tribute to Air. Hardy, and said that though his services were lost to the House there was another branch of. the Legislature unlikely to lose his services.—(Continued applause.) He dealt at considerable length with tho present political situation,'holding that tho present Government did not possess the confidence of the country. It was, he said, speaking politically, a “political humbug ” Ho defined the Reform Party’s land policy as being in tho direction of making available for settlement all the available Crown and Native land. He was opposed to unfair taxation of land, but was in favour of any taxation necessary to ensure the closer settlement of large estates. He hoped that, the history .of, the recent short session would be written, and that publicity would be given to all the wire-pulling that took place. Air. G. At. Thomson also spoke, criticising -the present Government.