CHARGE AGAINST M. P.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4825, 29 April 1925, Page 2

CHARGE AGAINST M. P.

LAID BY FARMERS' UNION.

MR. RHODES DEFENDS HIMSELF.

During the course of the function after the opening of the Ngatea Post Office on Monday Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., in responding .to a toast, defended himself against charges laid against him some time ago by the Ngatea Farmers’ Union.

Mr Rhode's apologised for bringing personal matters forward, but said that it was the first occasion in Ngater since it had been stated that be was a back number, that he had done nothing for the district, and that he had treated representatives of the district discourteously when in Wellington. The statements were false, and no one could say .that he had been discourteous to anyone. So far as being a back number, he was sure that no one could do more for the district than he had done. In proof of this, he could state that up to the time he was first returned to Parliament, nearly 14 years ago,' not one penny from the public purse had been spent in the district. The> first year he. was in Parliament he had got votes, and isir.ee then had obtained many grants for drainage and reading. In regard to the Ngatea bridge, he had succeeded in getting a £ for £ subsidy made available, and when it had been found that six Ngatea, men were held personally responsible for £lO6O he had gone to Wellington and approached the Prime Minister, Mr . Massey had stated in reply that such a position should not be, but that he could not see how it was to be relieved. Mr Rhodes said that he had made a certain suggestion, and suggested that the Prime Minister should look into the legal aspect. 'This was done, ami the six guarantors were relieved of their liability. It was one of those six who now stated that he was a "back number.”

Concerning the school and the post office, Mr Rhodes asked who it was that had made representations and backed up the requests ot the settlers. The school had been enlarged, and there was now a post office which was a monument to the people of the Hauraki Plains and a graceful tribute to the energy of its meinb&r. Many men present, he said, could testify to his attention to them when in Wellington. He was always willing and glad to show anyone from the district around when they were in Wellington if they would call upon him.