MR G. A. HARDY ENTERTAINED

West Coast Times, 12 April 1912, Page 3

MR G. A. HARDY ENTERTAINED

REFORM PARTY DEFENDED, [PEE PEESfI ASSOCIATION.—COPYEIGHI 1 METHVEX, April 10. At Methven to-night, Mi'. C, A. Hardy, ox-M,P., for Selwyn, was entertained at a complementary banquet at which, amongst others present, was Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, who, in respond, g to the toast of the Reform Party, s d that it was eighteen years ago that lay since he was returned for Wait*, nato. Just piior to the election in luQ6 he- had been appointed leader of the Opposition and had worked towards making the party the true Liberal Party and not a sham, The Reform Party did not profess to be Saints, but their first thought was not for themselves, hut for tlie people of the Dominion. The public mooting which followed, was largely attended. Mr. C. A. C. Hardy in accepting an illuminated address said it was his intention not to contest the Sclwyn scat again. Mr. Massey, in the course of a Icngthly speech, said that Mr .Hardy, though lost to the House, would not be lost to the other branch of legislature. He dealt at some length with the political situation and defended the Reform Party’s Land policy which he said was to make available for settlement all the land possible. The party was also in favour of the taxation, necessary to ensure the closer settlement of large estates.-