MR. REMINGTON M.P.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 509, 17 May 1909, Page 6

MR. REMINGTON M.P.

ENTERTAINMENT- AND PRESENTATION. (01 riLEQEAPn.—erECIAL COttttESPONDERT.I , Marton, May 16. Mr. Remington, MJP. for Rangitikei, was entertained by a largo number'of settlors at Koeko on Friday evening, and mado the re-* cipient of a presentation in honour of his election. , i In tho worse of a lengthy speech, Mr. Remington warmly thanked the settlors at Koeko and Pohonui for their kindly" welcome, which; he said, would be an incentive to work moro, energetically for the district. Reference had been mado to things said of him at last election. He was ono of those who always < believed that, after tho battlo was over, ho was of the wholo of the electors, and he would look leniently upon statements made by those opposed to him, because ho hoped that they ' were not malicious and wilful. He hoped ' now that his opponents had had time for calm' reflection they would wish to forget certain statements 'themselves. Should it bo , necessary for him to deal in Parliament with any attack-made npon'him ho would do so. Voluntary > information , had been placed at his disposal by those who had been prominent in attacking him. This would fill Hansard and, 'he ventured to say, make such interesting reading that at 'least, twenty < thousand copies would-be '.wanted between Taranaki and Mannw,atu. Once it was placed on record thoro "would be somo who would wish that.it had never appeared. He was not going to do anything' that he thought' N would bo lowering the dignity of Parliament,' but, if necessary , , and on. behalf of those who had expressed renewed confidence t in him, ho would deliver such .an answer as would meet the case, and no doubt lead thoso who had mado a prominent attack to bo mado sorry and wiser. ' ' Dealing with paragrapbs in the press etating that ho refused to accept' Mr. Hutchison's challenge- to resign his seat, his anewer was that Mr. Hutchison know, when he threw out that challengo, that it was impossible for them to arrogate to themsclvee tho wholo right to contest tho Itangitlkoi or any othor seat. The field was open to all, ' and ho knew it. Why did he ignore Mr. R. ■W. Smith? Had ho do right to' be consulted? Continuing, Mr. , Remington admitted that, in the neat of tho moment, ho was rash enough to make a challengo, but it was pointed out to him by numerous correspondents that he had no right to mako that ohallonge. Tho electors had returned him with full knowledgo of all that could be said against him, , and he valued their decision, and considered tho opinions and suggestions of his bitter opponents unworthy of consideration. Hβ clearly announced his intention of sup- ' / porting the freehold, provided tho land was .restricted: to , an areaof not more than 1000 acres, and that fifty por cent, advance was paid on existing leaseholds. >