COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1926, Page 1

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL

TO MEMBER FOR WESTLAND

MB AND MRS SEDDON HONORED

There was a large attendance at the Soldiers’ Hall last evening at the complimentary social tendered to Mr and Mrs Seddon in connection with the election of Mr Seddon as Member for Westland. Those present included the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs G. A. Perry), Mr G. TV. Forbes (header of the National Party) and Mrs Forbes, Mr and Mrs J. TV. Hannan and Mr and Mrs J. F. Doogan ol Grcymoutb, and a representative gathering from .all parts of the electorate. The ball was tastefully decorated in blue and white. Capital music for tile dance was supplied liy Mr C. B. Ross’ orchestra, and lietween the dances solos wore rendered by Mr Smith and Miss Sheriff, and a pianoforte duet- by Misses Jacobs, while Mr H. A. Thompson had charge ol t’he floor. Capital arrangements had been made by the Ladies' Com mitt.ee and Mrs H. Preston, who catered for the excellent supper provided, •lust before the supper interval there were sevens I addresses given.

Mr D. .T. Evans opened the proceedings by reading apologies for absence. including the following: From Rt. Hon .T. 0. Coates (Prime Mi lister) :

; I have to acknowledge the receipt i of your letter of the 19th. inst, ■ and to thank you for the invitation ■ so kindly extended io me to lie present at a complimentary social to he tendered to Mr T. E. Y. Seddon M.P.. and Mrs Seddon at the Soldiers’ Hall. Hokitika on Wednesday, May nth. T very greatly npproeiato the courtesy of the invitation. but regret exceedingly that owing to engagements to which T am already committed T shall ho unable to lunve the pleasure of accepting. From Mrs Seddon, Wellington :—■ Regret unable to be present with you all to-night at social in honor of my son. the Member for Westland. anil his wife. Best wishes for pleasant evening to all. Also from Mrs Orinimond (Tiinaru), Mrs Mary Hay (Wellington), Hon IT. L. Michel. Mr U. M. Coulson, Mr W. IT. Parfitt (Mayor of Greymouth), Mr A. B. Spiers (Msyor of Kmiiara), Mr S. I’. Evans (Mayor of Ross) and Mr E. A. Wells (Woodstock). THE SPEECHES. The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) said they were gathered together that evening to congratulate Mr Seddon on his election as Member for Westland. Befoiio going further he would take the opportunity of extending Mr Forbes. the Leader of the National Party, a hearty welcome to Hokitika. He also extended a similar welcome to Mrs Forbes. Continuing. Air Perry congratulated Mr Seddon on his election after the contest Dial wns extraordinarily close, hut after considerable delay and much anxiety Mr Seddon had been duly elected and he very heartily congratulated him. Tie would prove himself a good member, he liad no doubt, as lie had proved to he in the prist. He hoped lie would continue for many years to come the member for Westland. They were living in very troublous times. There seemed jo lie difficulties and rumours of troubles everywhere, but lie hoped in this fair country of ours that these troubles would only be reflected Io a very small exlenl. He wished also (o specially welcome Mrs Seddon. Her influence he felt had been a very valuable one and must have been of great •assistance to her husband. He congratulated Mr Seddon again on his election and would ask - Air Forbes to address them. (Applause).

Mr Follies, who was received with applause, said lie was very pleased to lie present that evening at: this social gathering to honor his friend Tom Seddon. Tic had personally watched with great interest the struggle that had taken place for the Westland seat and was very pleased when Tom had come out mi top. He felt sure they were all pleased to get the protracted election over. He had had anxious moments himself during the election, and quite sympathised with anyone who had to wait for several mouths to find out the result, lip felt sure they would not want to go through that experience again. Throughout the Parliament there was a fooling of, pleasure at the knon ledge that Mr Seddon lead been returned and that they were to sec him in the House once more. .Mr Seddon had sal alongside him (Mr Forbes) in the House for several years and lie had the opportunity of keeping an eye on him. No one could have

been more energetic than lie was to see that the needs of his electorate received the attention they required. Ho was attentive, always loyal, and there when he was wanted. There wns no doubt the West Coast had played a great part in the development of New Zealand, land lie felt if deserved all the recognition and assistance of tho Government of the country. They still had got many uubridged rivers and difficult roads, and there was no doubt Hie district here had groat- claims on the rest of the Dominion. They all knew the great part the West- Coast had taken iu the politics of this country when the late Premier, the father of (lie present member, had ruled" Die country. Ho was a great man who had carried out many great reforms, and had left his mark on the legislation of New Zealand. The party of which he (Air Forties) was the leader had licon Tor some time in the cold shades of the opposition, hut even now they had been relieved of that opposition. They would remember that in the Garden of Eden a lady had caused trouble to Adam. Well, in the bye-election for Kilen, a Lady had also caused trouble and had put us out of the opposition (laughter). Still his party, though not numerically strong had got a duty to perform to the country. There are tionh|ous times in the Old Country at present, and he could only hope that good counsel will prevail and that the results of the present struggle will not be as disastrous as they at present point to he. While in opposition here his party had a duty to perform to enable the country to hear both sides of the question. The members of his party had played a worthy part. When in Parliament Mr Seddon had always enjoyed • the high respect and esteem of his fellow members, and was one of the most popular iu the House, ft had been a great pleasuio to learn that he had been returned to Parliament. Referring to Mrs Seddon, Mr Forbes said her, assistance had been of great value. He could speak from experience himself. He had known Mr Seddon when he did not have a Airs Seddon, and he was sure there was a full 100 per cent improvement to-day

(Laughter). They were pleased throughi ou tho country that the name of Seddon was again represented in the Parliament of New Zealand. It seemed as if there was something wanting when there was not a Seddon there. He had been very pleased to come along to take part in this social to meet so many friends of Mr Seddon who lias hosts of friends wherever he goes. He thanked them for the opportunity that had been given him to come to do honour to bis old friend who well deserved the recogition, and also for the opportunity and pleasure of expressing good will to his good wife. (Applause). Mr 'J'. E. Y. Seddon on rising to reply said he could not adequately express the feelings of Mrs Seddon and himself. He did not look in the social as a persona! tribute. They bad come down to join them in a recognition of a victory for the cause tor which they had fought. Mr Forbes, the leader of the party had told them of the fate of the old Liberal Party who to-day were an Independent Party. They were not numerically strong, but he rejoiced that the party that has a majority and is in power stands for law and order and King and country. (Applause), tic was pleased, to hear the references made by the Mayor and Mr Forbes to the assistance given by Mrs Seddon which, he endorsed. Air Seddon then referred at some length to the trying times following the election, with (lie hearing of the petition and the judges decision which gave him a majority of 12. Ho wished to thank Air Hannan, Mr Doogan and Air Murdoch who had worked so hard in that connection and the many others who had conic forward and had given valued information and assistance. Referring to the political position he said he did not think the present Government was going to have a smooth time, but Mr Forbes and bis party would give every possible assistance to tbe Government. Referring to TYcstland he hoped to see all working together to help in settling the vast problems ahead. He recently had gone round the. district with the Minister of Lands, and ho was glad to hear Air AlcLeod’s promises of assistance to the settlers

generally. Alining possibilities were referred to and the hope was expressed of developments in the district. Turning io Air Forbes. Air Seddon as member for Ibe district extended a hearty welcome to Air and Mrs Forbes and expressed the pleasure lie felt at the compliment paid him by their visit that evening. Air Forbes and tic Afyyor had referred to tho speaker in Mattering terms, and lie hoped personally to be able to live up to the .standard set for him. and that at the next election lie would bo able to point to the good programme he had undertaken for the advancement and well are of TYcstland. (Applause). Mr Seddon then thanked the Committee responsible for tlic social, specially mentioning the lion, secretary. Mrs F. E. 'Stuart, all who had assisted in the musical programme and concluded by thanking all who had worked so hard for him during the election. (Applause). Supper was then partaken of and the dance resumed until 1.30 when a very successful function was brought to a close with the singing of Auld Lang Sync and the National Anthem.