OPPOSITION RALLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2426, 15 February 1909, Page 2

OPPOSITION RALLY.

ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING AT HAWERA. STRONG CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENT. [Press' Association.] HAWERA, Fob. 13. There was an important gathering at Hawera last night, when about 200 people met to celebrate the Opposition victory at Taranaki last election. Four Taranaki members, Messrs. Okcy (Taranaki), Hinc (Stratford), Dive vEgmont), and Pearce (Patea), were present, also Messrs. Massey, Buiek, Newman, E. Fraser, and Guthrie,. M.P.’s, Messrs. G. R. Wilson (Farmers’ Union), R. R. Martin (Opposition organiser), and' representative men from all parts of Taranaki. Mr. Jam Davidson presided. The proceedings wore throughout marked with "great enthusiasm. Numerous apologies were received, including those from vS-.r William Russell, Messrs. It. Heaton Rhodes, Jas. Allen, Nos worthy, F. \V. Lang. J. Bollard, W. Hornes, Hardy, J. Duihie, G. Anderson, and John Bryce. The foregoing letters contained expressions of regret lor their absence, and hearty congratulations to the Opposition members for Taranaki who were returned. A prominent feature of the decorations was a bust ol the late Sir Harry Atkinson, whose memory was honored. Dr. Newman, M.P., proposing the navy, said that in 19 years two millions had been spent on New Zealand defence, and the outstanding feature at the present time was the Dominion’s absolute unpreparedness. They were within thirteen days’ steam of 400.000,000 people antagonistic by sentiment, instinct, and in religion, and who were excited by our restrictive laws. He strongly advocated military training, but said conpulsory conscription as understood in Europe, would never do here. The Government had been very remiss in the matter. After being 20 years in office our defence, he was positively certain,., was no better. Not a part of the country could defend itself against a- single battleship. Mr. Buiek, in reply, said that the Government had assisted the cadets, but greater encouragement was needed in volunteering. Still our greatest. bulwark was the British navy, and the efforts of New Zealand should be directed towards supporting the same.

Mr. Martin, referring to a statement bv the Premier, said that if the Defence Council were given a free hand defence matters would soon he put on a proper footing. Air. R. C‘. Bruce, ex-M.P., in proposing the toast of Parliament, said lie. believed the present Government was the best since the Socialistic-Con-servatives went out of office. He paid a high tribute to Mr. Massey lor never triming sails, and for rendering signal service to the Dominion. He said the great principles of the Opposition would live long after the present regime of quackery passed into absolute oblivion.

In replying, Mr. IV. Fraser, M.P., said that the electors were chiefly to blame for the wastful extravagance of money which occurred on roads and bridges. It was not fair to throw the blame upon parliament. The golden shower was coming to an end. Borrowed money would not be so easily obtained in future. The interest and capital would presently come out of their pockets hv taxation, and the people would be awakened to a realisation of their position. Mr. J. Davidson proposed the toast of Taranaki’s members. He said the' banquet was a marriage feast to celebrate the political union ol northern and souhern Taranaki, vyliich had hitherto been divided.

Mr. Okey, replying, said there was a good deal of washing-up to do. The expenditure had to be cut down. Ho repeated that a strong Opposition was necessary to produce the best legislative, results, and the Opposition now in the House could, and would, help the Government to put the House in order. Mr. Pierce denied that the dairy regulations were responsible for the increase of Opposition members. The cause of the Government defeats was the labor legislation, which dissatisfied not only the employers but the workers themselves. (Applause.)

Mr. Hine attributed the victory chiefly to the electors’ disappointment with the Government’s land legislation, and if the freehold was secured as the result of the increased Opposition the fight last election would be justified. Mr. Dive thought that if united Taranaki secured some measure of political reformation other constituencies would follow suit.

Mr. 0. Hawken (Patea) proposed the. health of the Opposition, warmly congratulating Mr. Massey on his pluck, energy, capacity, and tact. The toast was enthusiastically drunk, Mr. Massey receiving rounds of applause. Mr. Massey thanked Taranaki for sending four stalwart representatives to assist in fighting the battle of freedom and reform. These were the representatives of the people of the soil, who wished to see the country properly and economically governed, which had not been the case for many years past. The privilege of the freehold, was a precious sentiment in Taranaki, and there wan resentment and suspicion against the Government containing a single leaseholder.. The Opposition party was now coming to its own. Never, for the past 15 years, had there been so much interest in public affairs as at the present time. In going through the. country he found a systematic attempt "to slander and libel members of tlie Opposition, whose speeches had been misrepresented. The motto of the Opposition was “We fight on for

ever and ever.” They had fought the 'Government not unsuccessfully on the land question, ■ against improper expenditure of borrowed money, ant. against ouch attempts as the dairy regulations. The Opposition was now stronger than it had "been foil - the past 15 years, and would give, a good account of itself. Referring to the-.re-construction of the Government, Mr. Massey said its success 'was impossible. Cou'd Messrs. XL McKenzie and Hogg work together? Could Messrs. T. McKenzie and Fowlds go in double harness? They would find that a .House divided against itself would fall. The record of the Ward administration was one of back-down, and compromise under the Land and* Tariff Bills, the clauses of the Dairy Regulations,, the mining trouble, and the Gisborne leases. If the Government principles did not suit the- pro pie they .were prepared to alter them. He drew a sharp difference between •the Government and the Opposition. The Government governed in the interests of' the party and its friends, while the Reform Party wished to govern in the best interests _of the people of the country. They Had patronage and public expense" on behalf of the Government at elections, also bribery by way of expenditaire of public moneys and proffering of billets and .seats .in the Legislative Council, which ho strongly denounced. Referring to Mr. Ngata’s appointment to the Cabinet as 'representative of the Native race Mr. Massey said that when power was given to make such an appointment it was never contemplated that a Native representative would be given important financial departments to control; yet that had been done with Mr. Ngata. He strongly held that those departments should be administered by the representative of a European constituency, who would be responsible to the people if the administration went wrong. (Applause.) He advocated Native electors being placed on the European roll. In reference to the public service Mr. Massey said that Civil Servants should be given to understand that faithful service was a better guarantee, of advancement than political wire-pulling. ,A Civil Service Board was advocated. The speech concluded with loud applause. Other subject's dealt with were the dairy and farming interests, and the commercial interests.