The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1908. MR JOHN STEVENS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 420, 6 August 1908, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1908. MR JOHN STEVENS.

Mr John Stevens, member for Manawatu, bad reason to feel a proud man at the banquet tendered to him by the settlers of Shannon and Moutoa, on Monday night. The affair was organised for the purpose of giving his friends on both sides of the policital fence, and some also who sit on the rail, in that area which will no longer be included in the Manawatu electorate, an opportunity of expressing their appreciation of his past services, and to mark the esteem in which he is held. Too often a man is allowed to pass out of this lile before his services to the community are fully appreciated. A little recognition of one’s efforts while in the flesh is refreshing—slobber and duplicity always most especially, excepted. Mr John Stevens is not a paragon of perfection. Who is ? But throughout his political life he has always endeavoured to play the game. He is strong-willed, and at times has been misunderstood, but right along the line he has done his best for the advancement of the district in which he has grown up from childhood, and which has honoured him with its representation in Parliament. Our Maori brethren have ever found a true friend in Hone Tiwini, and he has been a faithful disciple of liberalism. If this constituency has not in the past . got its full share of the “loaves and I fishes,” then the people must lay the blame to themselves, for if j anything is worth having, it is < worth asking for. We join issue, with the settlers in the old constituency, in wishing Mr Stevens many years ot usefulness to his constituency, and the Dominion as a whole.