COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1482, 3 July 1912, Page 11

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

| ME. W. H. FIELD ENTERTAINED. The complimentary banquet, held at AVaikanao last night, in honour of Mr. ! AV. H. Field, late member for the district, | proved very successful, tho gathering being a representative one. , Among those present were Sir James Carroll and Mr. John Stovcns, ex-M.P. for Manawatu. Mr. J, M. O'Connor presided, and in proposing the health of' Mr. Field said that during his term of twelve years in Parliament he had proved a capablo and thoroughly conscientious man, and the bsst member Otaki ever possessed. When Mr. Field first entered polities tho electorate was practically a wilderness, but it was ■ now bridged • and • roaded in all directions. Mr. John Stevens endorsed the remarks of tho previous sneaker. He considered that Mr. Field, ivlio was a man of excellent principles, and one who had energy and hue. credentials, would win his way back to Parliament, without much trouble. Mr. Field said he found compensation for being rejected by tho fact that ho was lwing entertained and honoured by staunch friends. Ho had only recently been tendered "socials" and given presentations by his Olaki and Levin friends, and now ho found himself in tho midst of another function. He was pleasetl to know that he had won esteem from a large circle of electors. Ho had always been pleased to do something, for tho country's advancement, and ho had loyal]v, yet independently, stood by tho late Sir. Seddon. He had differed on tho land question, and had voted against his partv. and if again placed in the same position he would act similarly. He denied ever apologising to Sir Joseph AVard over tho matter. He had supported tho Liberal party for years, and ho_ would still support them as long as they favoured progressive Liberalism. Ho maintained nothing could bo said agojnst the Government on Labour matters. The last- election, rather than being a defeat to him, was an assassination, a murder, but nevertheless ho wished to thank his friends for their loyal support. He had fought fair and honourably against three opponents, had stuck to politics, and used no unkind words. His intention was, when opportunity aToso, to stand for a moderate progressive party. It was impossible to mako a pronounced . distinction, as no one knew ■what was going to happen, but he was prepared to stand for progressive Liberal-

ism. Mr. I l '. W. Venn, chairman of th® Horowhenua County Council, proposed ilio toast of "The Parliament of New Zealand."

Sir .Tames Carroll, in responding, eulogised tho good work of Mr. Field, and spoke of him as n. strenuous and ruost consistent worker in Parliament. They all wondered what tho immediate futuro would bring forth, and ho regretted he could not tell them definitely what would happen. (Laughter.) Never had tho position been so unique and so extraordinary as at present, and no doubt tho proceedings would bo watched eagerly by nil. Whatever the result, he hoped it

would not bo at tho sacrifico of ' the people.

Other toasts proposed were: "Local Bodies," Mr. H. Bond, responded to by Mr, 11. .T. Richards; "Jlr. W. 11. Field's Committee," Jlr. F. 'Cocker, responded to by Mr. 15. R. Gardiner; "The Visitors," Jlr. A. Hunt, responded to by Messrs. JI. .1. Lynch and .1. Aplin. During the evening song* were rendered by Messrs. E. J. Kill, Cowie and Sir J, Carroll: stories told )>v Sir .Tames Carroll anil Mr. Cowie; while Mr. Borneo Gardiner gave some interesting solos.