f A POPULAR CANDIDATE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2388, 18 February 1915, Page 7

f A POPULAR CANDIDATE

ML SAMUEL ENTERTAINED THE STATE OP PARTIES Mr. gamnel, who contested the Hutt feat in tlie interest of Reform at Jjbe geiieral elections, was entertained by aboij'f 150 of his Petone supporters 'last raght. The enteitainmotn consisted of dancing and music, ajid in' last night. The entertainment conEome speech-making. ' Representing the Ministry, the Hon W. H. Homes was present, and apologies were- received lrom the Bight Hon. W. F. Massey and the Hon. A. L. Herdman.' Mr. Massey's telegram contained this ■ sentence, the reading of'whioh ■ was received with hearty applause: "During the election campaign Mr: Samuel made a name for himself in New Zealand politics, and I hope at no distant date to have an. opportunity of welcoming him to Pariliament."

"Will Co Through With 1t.",. The chairman (Mr. R. Short) proposed the health of Mr. Samuel, saying that the speeches Mr. Samuel had delivered, and-the maimer in which he had conducted ' the campaign, marked Jiim not only as a politician but as a white man.

Mr. Samuel, after acknowledging the compliment, said that he had entered the contest with enthusiasm. "When I take anything in band," ho said, "and when . I think I am in the right, then \ I don't care for anybody, and I will 'l go right through with it. If I stay I amongst you I shall- still go on with * this! political business. ... I think we are now in. a position to congratulate the Government on the present state of parties. I think the verdict that was given in Dunedin Central, which is absolutely the working man's electorate, and one that'the other nde were absolutely sure they had won, is the voice and opinion of lie people of this oountry. • • (Applause.) [L am quite certain, although none of us would like to see another election, that if we had to go to the country to-day the present Government would be returned with .a very large majority. And I trust that next time an election does take place it will ' be • fought out on the main issues of politics, and free from the side-issues which clouded the main issue right through last' campaign." Mr. Samuel annouhted that he hoped.shortly,to be. leaving for the front. "When the war broke out," he said, "I volunteered for service, but I was ordered by the General Officer Commanding the Forces to remain behind and reorganise; my' regiment Just before the election I was offered the command of the Maori Contingent, which I should very,much like to have!taken, but I could not do it,on ftcoount of the election. Now that the election is over, and the. party; seems safe. I think it is my duty as a Territorial officer to. do' what. I can to, help - my country by going to tho front. (Applause.) I have been in communication with the Officer' Commanding the District for some time.. Unfortunately all the positions for my rank have _ 'been filled from other districts, but .within three months I hope to get (away."

A Mistake to be Set Right. Mr. J. W. M'Ewan, Mayor of Petono, proposed the toast of the Ministry. He brought under the; notice of Mr. Herties one local matter—that of .the Normandale settlement. The people of Petone had been promised, workers' homes, the rent for which was to be' "ten bob a week." Large blocks of land were purchased for the purpose, %nt: unfortunately only, twenty-four houses out. of a ppssible 2000 were ac-. tually built, and the rent Was "not ten bob. hut nearly fifteen." This was evidence that they could not always deipend on the promises of politicians. About the Ministry generally ne said he believed they were "an honest lot of fellows who mean well."

The Hon. W. H. Herries, whose health had been drunk with enthusiasm jand'cheers, replied in a speech that had jonly occasionali' references to grave affairs of State. To' Mr. M'Ewan he made this reply: ''Mr. M'Ewan was very luke warm, about the Ministry, I •think, but ho.referred to previous transactions which. had nothing to do with the present Ministry. I should like io tell him that these 'are the very things that you _ put ns there to reform. These mistakes made _by old Governments we, by your wish, are endeavouring to reform." (Applause.) He -was only too pleased, he continued,' to do honour to Mr Samuel ion behalf of the Ministry. Mr. Samuel had covered himself with glory in the campaign, coming out and putting up a good fight against an old and tned politician. . He believed that more opportunities should be given to young Men to enter politics, and he was eorry to 6ay that.- one of the "faults of his party, as of others, was to trust too much to the older men.i' The supporters of Mr. Samuel ought to be cheered by the success he had achieved in his campaign, and he advised them.to keep the organising work going so that they should be'ready for an election at any time. "Fortunately," he said, "the Dunedin election has placed U6 in such a position that I think we can carry on for the term of this Parliament, but there are petitions being held in Tespect of ccrtain seats. I don't think .we shall lose by them. I think we are more likely to gain, but with such a small majority there are always possibilities that may cause a fresh election. Ido hope that Mr. Samuel, when lie goes away, will leave behind him his nomination paper, duly signed, so as to be ready for any emergency. (Applause.) 1 am certain from the two meetings I have attended that there is Enthusiasm for Mr. Samuel, not only for'the party, but-for the man himself, and I think it would be waste of energy if we don't have Mr. Samuel for our candidate for next election, whenever it may be. I think his friends will put him in even if he is not there. They will certainly not be less ready to put him in for the reason that he is fighting his country's enemies at tho front.' (Applause.) • , „ , ■ ■ . The last toast was that of. "The Chair-. •man," proposed by Mr. E. P. Bunny.