NEW MEMBERS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1928, Page 8

NEW MEMBERS

A STRUNG TEAM

MANY MEN OF GREAT ABILITY.

WELLINGTON', Nov. 23,

The new House will have line material. The gathering of the United Party in Wellington has brought together many new members of the House of Representatives, and those who have had an opportunity of meeting ihe new arrivals are agreed that they distinctly are acquisitions to Parliament,. The quality of the new .House wili undoubtedly be higher than that of the old. Naturally, it is impossible to discuss the debating abilities of the members, but one or two come with good reputations in that respect.

Mr J. S. Fletcher, who represents Gref U vnn, is a member of the family that formed the [Fletcher Construction Company, a keen business man, obviously level headed. Mr J. IT Donald, from Auckland East, is a well-known and very popular Auckland business man, with an obvious reserve of quiet strength. He still is on the right side of filty. Mr A. J. Stallworthy, the son of a worthy father, has politics in his blood. Hut he, too, lias had a solid business training and is accustomed to look at matters with a practical

Mr J. If. Jenkins, who disposed of tin 1 Chief Government Whip in Parnell, is another line type ol New Zealander, whose quiet manner and earnestness cannot fail to impress. It is not difficult to understand why Air Dickson’s huge majority evaporated under Mr Jenkins’ attack. Mr E. ('. Minins. Roskill, is another who deserted business for politics, an obvious lighter who will not shrink from the political battle.

The whole Auckland contingent is r credit both to the party and to the province, and Parliament is the stronger because of it. Mr A. J. Murdoch, of course, was in politics before, and knows the ways of Parliament.

Mr Fred Lye, of Waikato, had a strenuous light, in which he owed success to his energy and earnestness. Mr W. J. Prondfoot, of Waitomo, is likewise keen and full of energy. He will he a solid worker and a very keen debater.

Mr Q. TI. 01 inkard. well known to Rotorua visitors, has long been prominent in local politics. New Plymouth has sent Mr S. G. Smith buck to the House. He is another man who lias politics in his blood, and who enjoys a battle with all the guns in action. .Air "Wilkinson made his mark during a brief period in the House, and bis return to politics will be generally welcomed. Tie is a very capable business man, with a mind of bis own. From Taranaki, too, will come Afr W. J. Poison. Christchurch people knew him years 'ago as a young and energetic journalist, who promised to go far in the profession. He deserted i’oirnnlism for tin* farm, however, and in recent years lias come to the trout as the leader of the Farmers’ Union. Tt is understood that bo will work with Sir Joseph "Ward and the United Party. His political career will be watched with interest, because be lias been very active and very critical regarding the Government. Air J. G. Cobbe, who represents Oroun, is a biggish man, who looks to have plenty of force of character. Tie should go a long way in politics, "because be lias personality as well as ability.

Colonel M’Donald, who startled the country by heating the. Minister of Lands, is already well known, though not in politics. Mr .!. T. Hogan, Rangitikei, is an energetic man of business brought back into politics, like so many more of the United side, by the muddling of the (government.

Of the .South Island members Mr Ted Tlealy is well known in Marlborough as a good sport and a good business man.

Mr ]slack, the youngest member of the now House, is only twenty-four. He has been in and about Parliament as a committee clerk, and consequently lias already had a useful training.

Mr R-. W. Ilawkes brings into politics the capacity which lie has already demonstrated to small land producers in their co-operative organisations.

Mr Taverner is one of the best known Dunedin men. Everyone expects that in due course lie will take Ministerial rank, and in the meantime he is likely to he a source of strength to the party and to Parliament.

Mr Bodkin is a solicitor by profession, plainly a man with a steady mind, and a firm grip of affairs.

Mr Maephcrson is already known in the House and in the country, and everyone is glad to see him back again.

Mr do la Parrelle, well known as an educationist in Southland, is typical of many of the United Party, in that be possesses Parliamentary experience. Mr Macdonald, the new Maori member, is already one of the most popular members of'the party. His ready wit and shrewd common sense are going to make him popular also in Parliament.

AH those men will undoubtedly add to the strength of Parliament, which has plainly advanced in dignity am. in knowledge by the return of the United eadidates. It is agreed on all hands that the country cannot fail to benefit when men of the on Xb re of M’Donald, Jenkins, Stallworthy, Wilkinson and Taverner, to name hut a few, are prepared to give their time and brains to politics. There has, so far, been no oppoi tunjty to measure up the new Labmu inenVbers, but Mr Clyde Carr is well