PREMIER AT MARTON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 458, 17 March 1909, Page 8

PREMIER AT MARTON.

SOME PERSONAL EXPLANATION. WILL NOT LEAVE NEW ZEALAND, (ur TEtEGiurfl—srEciAi connEsro.vDEN-r.) Marton, March 16. Sir. John Stevens, cx-member for Manawatu, was entertained to-night by his constituents at a complimentary' social held at tho Opera House The function was largely attended, there being present representatives from tho mo3t distant parts of tho Manawatu electorate Sir Joseph Ward was prosent, and, amongst others, wcro Mr. Edward Newman, member for Manawatu, Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby, cx-member for Wairarapa, Mr. A. 13. Remington, member for ltangitikei, also representatives of local bodies, and. a largo number of ladies. Dr. Sherman, ex-Alayor of Jlarton, occupied the chair. Sir Joseph Ward replied to" the toast of tho "Parliament of New Zealand." Ho referred to the non-political character of the occasion, and stated that it was not his intention to deliver a policy speech, but that, during the next fow weeks, tbo task would devolvo upon him of delivering a policy speech in somo other part of tho Dominion, when ho would explain the policy of tho Administration, and speak on many matters of importance Referring to tho Parliament as a wholo ho. said that tho men returned have to bo workers in tho truest sense of tho term. Ono never liked talking about himself, but sometimes it was necessary to do so. A short time ago he noticed a suggestion published in a Wellington paper over tho signature of a- clever writer that there was an early possibility, of his taking his departure from New Zealand. Ho did not know what prompted tho suggestion, but ho did want to say that it was inaccurate. (Applause) Hβ had neither thought of, nor contemplated leaving this happy country of ours. Moreover, if such an idea had existed in his mind ho would have known what his duty was to the country, the members of Parliament, and to his constituency. That duty was to bo the first to publicly inform them.' (Applause.) Ho wished to say that, wherever such a suggestion emanated from, it was absolutely incorrect. For somo reason tho idea was circulated in different parts of the country that physically ho was not so strong as he ought to bo, and that was likely to be his reason for retiring. Physically ho had nothing wrong with him. About a month or six weeks ago ho was slightly run down as a result of hard work, and ho considered it in the best interest of his health to take rest for three weeks at that wonderfully recuperativo place, Rotorua.