PRESENTATION TO MR JENNINGS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 460, 27 April 1912, Page 5

PRESENTATION TO MR JENNINGS.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING

A large and representative gathering assembled in the Alexandra Rink on Friday night to witness the presentation to Mr Jennings on behalf of the residents of the northern end of the Taumarunui electorte.

The chair was taken by Mr Scholes, chairman ol the Waitomo County Council, and there were present the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Prime Minister; Hon. G. W. S. Macdonald, Sir James Carroll, Messrs F. Lawry, C. K. Wilson, M.P., Wackrow, Ryan, Thorp, Loveday and others.

In opening the meeting Mr Scholes said a large number of letters and telegrams had been received from friends of Mr Jennings all over the country, expressing regret at being unable to be present and wishing the function every success. Messages were read from members of the Ministry and numerous old parliamentary friend? of Mr Jennings. Mr Scholes said he had a pleasing duty to perform, and one which afforded him infinite pleasure. If he spoke all night he could not do justice to the subject. Referring to the services of Mr Jennings to the district, Mr Scholes said it was widley felt that recognition should be made in some manner, though anything they could do would provide but a small token of esteem. Mr Jennings' efforts were priceless. At Wellington, when Mr Jennings was defeated, there was a distinct feeling of relief, 30 much waa their late member's persistency feared. He had started from scratch in the district when it was practically unknown, and had seen it grow into towns and boroughs. He had earned the appreciation which was being accorded him that night. The chairman then handed Mr Jennings a handsome ring for Mrs Jennings; a toilet case for Miss Bertha Jennings; and a cheque for £220.

Mr Boddie, Mayor of Te Kuiti, in supporting the chairman's remarks, said he was glad of the opportunity to add his testimony regarding the good

work performed by Mr Jennings. He referred to the large number of people who took no personal interest in public matters and were highly thought of while those who devoted their lives to the public guod frequently received small thanks. However, the material testimony of the people of the Taumarunui electorate snowed that Mr Jennings' services had been ap-

predated, not only by Government

supporters, but by people of all shades of politics. He considered Mr Jennings' defeat in the electorate was due to a great extent to the fact that he had not been backed up suffiicently by the Ministry.

Mr Loveday, chairman of the Ohura County Council, said he felt the greatest possible pleasure at being able to add his testimony to that of previous speakers. The Ohura had much to thank Mr Jennings for, partiularly in respect to the railway. Whatever the settlers could say would not be adequate recognition of his services.

Mr Wackrow, Mayor of Taumarunui, spoke in similar terms of Mr Jennings.

Mr F Lawry, as a man who had known Mr Jennings for forty years, and had sat with him in Parliament during the whole of his parliamentary career, paid a high tribute to Mr Jennings' character as a politician and was one who went dangerously close to being a statesman. Sir James Carroll, was one who had no small part in shaping the political career of Mr Jennings, expressed his great pleasure at being present. He heartily endorsed what had been said by Mr Lawry, who had covered the field in kindly reference to Mr Jenning's virtues.

The Hon. W. D. S. Macdonald suid it was his first experience of meeting a Te Kuiti audience. In referring to Mr Jennings, the speaker said he had not known him long but had watched his career with interest. Referring to Mr Boddie's remarks as to public men receiving more kicks than ha'pence. He could agree with them in the main, but he thought that Mr Jenning, in face of such a gathering, would perhaps reailse that after all it was worth while. He could speak sympathetically as to Mr Jennings' work as he represented one of the largest country electorates and understood the tremendous task it was to keep in touch with it. Referring to Mr Boddie's statement that the Ministry had not backed up the member, Mr Macdonald said that if an unbiassed person would look up the record of what had been done in the district he would undoubtedly arrive at the conclusion that not only had a local work been done, but a national one. Mr Jennings, on rising to speak, was greeted with cheers. He said that words failed to adequately express what he feit. He felt specially proud on behalf of his wife and daughter and thanked the people for their tokens to them. He made special refersmce to the work done by his Te Ku ; ti committee, particularly by Mr Walsh as chairman and Mr Mora as secretary. He presented Mr Mora with a ring as a small recognition of what he had done. Cuntinuing, Mr Jennings said that since the election he had recevied apologies from two newspapers for misrepresentation, and also from two private individuals. This .showed how heated the election was, and also gave some idea of the methods used against the party to which he had belonged. He was proud to be able to say he had taken part in much of the beneficial legislation which had been passed by his party. Measures such as the Advances to Settlers and Workers; State Fire Insurance; Lands for Settlement, in which he had taken part during the last fifteen years had resulted in a net profit to the Dominion during that time of £1,373,140. Some idea of the land settlement which had taken place in the colony during that time mighc be obtained from the the fact that in Taranaki there was practically only 200,000 acres of Grown land remaining and this was mainly inaccessible. Of the native land only 82,500 acres of similar country remained. In conclusion Mr Jennings predicted a fine future for the district. He thanked the people heartliy for what they had done for him. The Prime Minister, who was received with cheers, expressed pleasure at the welcome they had received. It was a pleasure to do honour to Mr Jennings. If he was to be retired from public life because he had not been sufficiently backed up by the Government, then God help the Government. He did not agree with Mr Boddie's reason for the defeat of Mr Jennings. The real reason was because the public mind was poisoned. Charges of Tammanyism and corruption were common, and when a concerted effort was made they were bound to have gome effect. The Government was defeated by a supreme system of organised lying and slander that had not been equalled. Referring to the development of the country Mr Mackenzie said his colleague had stated he was in favour of borrowing and developing the country. So was he, but it was hardly likely they were going to borrow money and as a consequence get other members defeated. Their opponents voted for the borrowing, got their' share of the money, and then denounced the party throughout the length and breadth of the country for borrowing. The speaker detailed some of the work done by the Agricultural Department as shuwing what was being done rjy the Government in the interests of the farmers and the country in general. He expressed confidence in the future of the country, which was progressing on sound economic lines. As far as the new Ministry was concerned they were not going to concern themselves about the first vote in Parliament. If they had not the confidence of the House they would accept the fact with equanimity. If they had, they were prepared to show good work. He was sorry Mr Jennings was out of public harness, but hoped to see him back again shortly. Constituencies became vacant from different causes and he felt sure any seat in

the North Island in which a vacancy occurred Wuuld be proud to have Mr Jennings as its representative. (Applause). On the motion of Mr Jennings, seconded by the Prime Minister, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Scholes for presiding.