THE REFORM PARTY.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10314, 6 August 1912, Page 3

THE REFORM PARTY.

CONGRATULATORY KiALLY.

(Per United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, August 5. The Town Hall was filled to over • flowing to-day on the occasion of th< I ' congratulatory rally by the Reforrc - ! Party supporters, over 3000 being I present. Mr 0. R. Mbrrisoni pro 1 ; sidedL All the Ministry were pre ! sent, andl had a; great reception. ; | Tha Hon. Mir Allen said, the Reform Party would give every man ' freedom of speech. The Reform. Gl-o ; vemmeint would try to put xht , country's finances on a sound level ' and settle to the advantage of the ' people generally. I Hon. Mr Berries said Mir Massey'.s Government had a hard task before j them to rectify mistakes of tliel past ! Government. Their time in adversity j had' teen a grand eKpeirieiicie for I them having taught thm value of ! organisation and co-operation). J At this stage the Hon. Mr Fisher i <vas presented ;by his executive comj mittee 1 with an illuminated address to mark his eletvation to Cabinet rank. ! Hon. Mr Massey said he had [ stuck to the Reform Party in adj versity, andi they surely would not desert in their triumph. The) country J would now 'be governed for fhe people. Ho said the financial statement to-morrow night wiould not embrace the whole Opposition policy, but what was enunciated to-morrow would be adhered to. Thev proposed financial reform, reform of the Legislative Council, reform of public service, land reform to provide for the pioneers of the backblocks, and reform of the legislative methods. There would be economy of administration, but no parsimony. INk> Civil servant would bi.worse off, but many would be better off.' To-morrow's financial statement would be thei most important for 21 years. He said the Government trusted the people, and he asked them to trust the Government. Hon. Mr Herdman said members of the Ministry were serious men, who would not neglect thieiir duties, and N'&w Zenlnd would have a stron;_rba.cked instead of a vacillating Government. Dr. Newman proposed that this meeting has confidence in the Goveiramienit led by Mr Massey. This was ca.rried unanimously by acclamation amidst much enthusiasm.