MR POLAND HONOURED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4917, 18 December 1925, Page 2

MR POLAND HONOURED.

PRESENTATION FROM ELECTORS.

LONG AND HONOURABLE SERVICE,

FUNCTION AT PAEROA.

As, a befitting conclusion to a long and honourable career as member for Ohinemuri in the House, of Representatives Mr Hugh Poland was. tendered a complimentary social evening and presentation by the electors at the Gaiety Theatre, Paeroa, o<n Tuesday evening. The theatre was filled to capacity long before the appointed time by residents of the district and representatives of every local body and other prominent institutions throughout the electorate, the enthusiastic and whole-hearted nature of the proceedings throughout bearing striking testimony to the veneration and respect in which Mr Poland is held in the community by the people of all shades of, political opinion.

An outburst of - applause- greeted Mrs Poland as she entered tlhe building on the arm of His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall), followed by Mr Poland and the Mayoress.

The first p&rtion of the evening was devoted to musical and vocal items, those contributing to the very enjoyable programme, in addition to the Paeroa Symphony Orchestra, being Mr J, Beech (Thames),, Mrs R. Lithgow (Waihi), Mr J. Fox (Waihi), Mr E Dixon (Paeroa), Miss R. MjcCullay (Paeroa), Miss E, Kelly (Thames), the Rev. A. M'. Contain (Paeroa), Mrs P. Hague-Smith (Paeroa), Mr J. Smithson (Paeroa,). Mrs P. HagueSmith acted as accoimpanistAt the conclusion of the programme the guests of the evening, accompanied by the Mayor, were conducted to chairs on the stage.. The Mayor of Waihi (Mr W. M. Wallnutt) presided, and seated bn the stage with him were the Mayor of Paeroa and representatives of a number of local bodies.

EULOGISTIC SPEECHES. <ln addressing the gathering the chairman said, that the function had been arranged to pay public tribute and to make a small presentation to Mr and 1 Mrs Poland as ,a s,light recognition of .the services rendered by Mr Poland during the 20 yejtos he had represented Ohinemuri in Parliament. Dealing specially with the work done by Mr Poland on behalf of the ■miners, the chairman said thafl there had been two that had stood out in bold relief—the work done oh behalf of the miners and the assistance. given to-the farming communityThe farmer might have a hard life, but, unlike the miner, he did not live in daily peril of having his. life crushed out by a fall of earth or other seri-ous-accident. lOnce the miner went underground to his work the risk of accident or death was, ever with him. It was the lessening .of danger and the advocacy of humanitarian measures that had earned their the title of the “Miners’ Advocate.” The dreaded disease known as miner’s phthisis had always; received. Mr Pdland’s keenest attention, and • through his persistency in urging the' claims and disabilities to which the miner was subjected the Miners’ Pension Bill had been brought into operation. Since the parsing of .the Bill Mr Poland had “pegged away” until he was successful in having the pension grants consid.era.bly increased. It was also largely due to the efforts of their ex-member that substantial compensation for accidents was, brought about. The speaker instanced haw, when the Grand Junction mine closed down, throwing scores: of breadwinners out of employment, Mr Poland had gone to Wellington and through his representations to the Ministers of the Crown the first section of the Wai.hiTauranga railway line was put in hand and employment found for most of the men who had lost their work. In regard to the progress and development of mining the chairman said that Mr Poland had done an enormous amount of good- lie had taken the small prospector under his care and had never lost an opportunity of championing his, cause. Mr Wallnutt contended that it, was impossible to estimate the assistance Mr Poland had given to miners and their dependants, and the major portion, of the success and up-to-date facilities which prevailed in the goldfields of the district was due to the efforts- of Mr Poland. In conclusion Mr Wallnutt wished Mr and Mrs Poland every succesp, good health, and a long life, and ventured the opinion that in the riot) too. far distant future Mr Poland would win back the Ohinemuri seat. (Applause.) . ’ Mr F. W. Walters, chairman, Piako County Council, said that Mr Poland had never lost an opportunity of .assisting the back-block settlers and the small farmers. A large measure of .the success' achieved by the Piako County had been due to the ready assistance given by their guest.

Mr J. F./ Mayn, Riding member, Hauraki Plains County Council, said .that the trouble with his district was, bad roads and' too much water during the winter. Thanks, to Poland the settlers, were still afloat. Their guest Wais: a clean fighter, who had been consistent and had loyally stuck to his ideals. Mr A. R. Robinson, ex-chairman of the Ohinemrui County Council, referred to the good work done by Mr Poland during the time he had been chairman of the county. Mr Poland’s position as member for Ohinemuri had been a difficult one owing to the conflicting interests o F the mining industry and farming pursuits. Every request, nb matter of what nature, or how large or small, had always received Mr Poland’s earnest cd re and attention, and in the opinion of the speaker it was not possible to pay too high a tribute, to their guest for the work he had done for the electorate.

Each speaker concluded his remarks. by congratulating Mr Poland o-n the success that had attended his, efforts over such a long period and by offering to him and Mrs Poland all possible good wishes;

THE PRESENTATIONS.

The chairman then called on His Worship the Mayor of Paeroa (Mr W. Marshall) to address the gathering and make the presentations. Mr Marehall opened his remarks by saying how gratifying it was to have so many and such a representative gathering of electors, and on behalf of .the residents of Paeroa he exten led a hearty welcome.

The speaker said that the task allotted to him was not so much a joyful task as it was one of pride and goodwill. It was not given to many men to attain the credit for meritorious service that -w.as due to Mr Poland. For over 20 years he had been a factor in the national life of New Zealand. His work had not been that of a hireling, but the work of a sterling patriot, and of one who loved his fellowmen and country. His, services had been rendered with great unselfishness and with honour, credit, and distinction. During the last 20 years he had never lost an opportunity of assisting the progress of the Dominion and the provision of humanitarian measures. Well, might their guest’s wife and family, as. well as his supporters, feel proud of the lengthy service truly and well rendered. The speaker referred to the i-eady assistance given by Mr Poland to the Paeroa Borough Council, and paid special tribute .to the valuable work done by him for the Hauraki A. and P. Association, especially in the early days- of its existence. He was a life member of the association, and had held the office-of president for over nine years. Associated with him in this work was Mrs Poland, who had never failed to loyally support her husband in all. his undertakings.

Un behalf of the electors Mr Marshall then asked Mrs Poland to accept a handbag, together with a cheque for £2O, as' a slight token of appreciation of her efforts and loyalty to her husband during his Parliamentary career.

Turning to Mr Poland the Mayor read an inscribed as follows:

“Assembled in this hall to-night are constituent from all parts of the electorate of Ohinemuri. We have gathered thus because of a widespread desire to make public and suitable acknowledgement of the valuable services which you have given "during the past twenty years to the Parliamentary affairs of New Zealand and to the interests of the constituency. “Your long, unbroken term of representation has, covered an important decade in the national history of this, young and favoured country, and wie are protid to know that; while ever loyal, and energetic jn, matters pertaining to the welfare-of the electorate you have always evinced a true national outlook and hay.e done much that will be of permanent benefit to New Zealand. ■

“During this period you have earned and enjoyed a reputation for uprightness and straightforwardness, and we feel that you have a record of which you may justly be proud. ‘“ln the dark days of the great war you gave what was doubtless dearer to you than life itself; and in. the cause of the Empire we know, you to.be an. ardent patriot..

' '-‘As- .the representative of this, district your work, has been arduous : it has been carried out by you with courtesy, energy, willingness .conspicuous ability, public-spirited activity, and outstanding success. The needs b F the worker with health broken in toil, tne aged, and the distressed have , found an understanding sympathy in you making their need, your personal concern.

“It is exceedingly gratifying to'us, and we trust it is a. source of satisfaction to yourself, to remember that all .the valuable humanitarian legislation which during the past twenty years has been placed on the Statutes has had your consistent advocacy and support. The public generally have found you ever ready when assistance or practical advice was within your power. You have, lived among uk; knowing and sharing our community ideals and aspirations, our problems and our difficulties ; and the representatives bn local bodies in the electorate must gratefully acknowledge the valuable assistance which you have so often and so freely given to them in the work they have had to do. “We desire, therefore, to place bn permanent record our appreciation of your unfailing courtesy, your devotion to duty, and your fidelity to the interests of. the Constituency of Ohinemuri. “We trust you may long be spared to render useful public service; that with Mrs Poland and ) your worthy family, you may have many years of health and prosperity. “We ask you to accept this address, with the accompanying gifts, as a sjtnalJ token of esteem and in appreciation of your valuable as Member for Ohinemuri.” The address was signed by the Mayors of Waihi and Paeroa, chairmen of the the Ohinemuri and Piako county councils, arid Crs. H. Hare and J. F. Mayn, Hauraki Plains County Council, on behalf of the constituents. In asking Mr Poland to , accept the address, together with a gold watch and chain suitably inscribed, and a wallet containing a cheque for £23o', the Mayor said that it had been the unanimous wish that Mr Poland’s services’ should be recognised in a tangible form, and concluded by expressing the hope that the guests would long bo spared to enjoy good health and the other blessings of life.

Prolonged applause ensued, followed by the singing of “For they are jolly good fellows.” On rising to reply Mr Poland said lie had appeared on that platform on many occasions during recent years, but never under such trying circumstances, and never had his task been snich a difficult one as on thafl night. He wished to tender his sjneere tli auks to the various, speakers for their ailli too flattering remarks. He could assure them that Mrs Poland and he were deeply sensible of the great honour done them that evening. It ,was, quite beyond him to express how much they appreciated the beautiful and valuable presents- given them on behalf of their friends, in

Ohinemuri, but they would never for-{ get the great kindness of thepeople. It was particularly gratifying to him to see strong political opponents} like’ Mr Walters present and ‘ taking an - active part in the evening’s function. He felt that their presence was an indication of their .recognition of the fact that during his term in Parliament he had not distinguished between supporters and opponents, but had endeavoured to treat aU. alike., He had been greatly honoured by the people of Ohinemuri in having been selected an - their Parliamentary repre--sentative at isix succeeding elections covering a period of 20 years. It was a record he was very proud of, and comparatively few of .the thousands who, had sat in. the New Zealand Parliament had equalled that record. He thanked the many loyal and enere. getic men and wojnen who had worked for his return, some of .them at, every election for 20 years. That was among the most pleas r ant memories of his experience, and he had made many friendships that he hoped would last while life fasted. He had striven for the poor of Ohinemuri, and in a wider sense New Zealand,, and it was very gratifying to him to. hear the expressions, of aprpoval of his 'actions voiced by representative ■men from all parts of the electorate., If he was' more active in one direction than another he thought it was in an endeavour to ameliorate .the lot of those most in need of the help apd consideration of the country—the widow, the orphan, the aged poor, and, the sick and helpless—and for that, he made no apology. Mr Poland concluded by again expressing on behalf of Mrs Poland and himself their deep gratitude and sincere thanks for the honour conferred, on them that evening. After the singing of the National Anthem , and lusty cheere for Mr .ataL Mrs Poland supper- was served by a band of lady and those who attended from a distance had an opportunity of conveying ..personal congratulations and good Wishes to the guests, of the evening.