THE ELECT OF MANAWATU.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 26 November 1908, Page 2

THE ELECT OF MANAWATU.

Mr Edward Newman, who has been elected to represent the Manawatu electorate in Parliament for the ensuing three years, was almost an unknown man so far as this portion of the electorate is concerned, three months ago. His first political address at Foxton was attended by only a handful of electors. His speech was not padded with superfluities, and he spoke directly to the point giving the Government credit for many of its measures and criticising what he considered its faults, without resorting to personalities. In fact during the whole of his campaign he has religiously avoided anything of a personal nature. All who listened to his first address were impressed, not- with his oratory, but by his earnestness. Still, at that time, not much hope was held out for his success at the coming poll. His speeches were decidedly original and he showed a broader view than the majority of the Opposition candidates. In fact it would be unfair to class him

as tlie off-spring:" of the old bide bound Tories and we prophesy that there will he times when he will come into conflict with Mr Massey. Be that as it may, he is under no indebetedness to the leader of the Opposition for his victory. He won a clean fight and if we may use the term “ off his own bat.” Tike Mr Stevens, he is a keen supporter of the Foxton Harbour Board and linking up the Main Trunk Tine between Teviu and Marton, via Foxton. The ridiculous reports circulated prior to the Second Ballot, that Foxton would lose its Harbour Board if Mr Newman were returned, needs no comment. The Harbour Board Bill has become law, and the first election of the Board members will take place next February. It is Mr Newman’s intention at an early date to call a conference of delegates trom the various districts interested to discuss the revenue problem and to decide with regard to waiting upon the Ministry in this connection. He is also pledged to do his utmost with respect to the railway connection, and no doubt a conierence will also be held on this subject. The plank in his platform, however, which is of vital importance to Foxton, is the acquiring of the Himatangi Native Block for close settlement purposes. We will deal fully with this subject together with the acquiring of other lands at a later date. In conclusion, we congratulate Mr Newman on his clean win, and we hope the future will not prove that the confidence reposed in him has not been misplaced.

Mr Howard Nkwman is the youngest son of the late Kdward Newman, fleet surgeon in the Royal Navy, As his accent denotes, he is a Scotchman, and his upbringing was in accordance with the strict discipline common to this particulcr.people. Our representative had some difficulty in squeezing a few personal notes for publication from Mr Newman, as he is somewhat reticent when speaking of himself. We, however, managed to ascertain that he arrived in New Zealand in the early eighties, and after a brief experience on one or two large stations, acquired a large bush farm in the Turakiua Valley. This was in 1882. He improved his holding, which he held till about five years ago, when he sub-divided it into small dairy farms, and sold it. He then acquired an area of 500 acres of arable laud near Marton, which he now farms. He has served his apprenticeship on local governing bodies, and was for upward of 20 years a member of the Rangitikei County Council. He was also a member of the Wanganui Education Board, and member, and one time Chairman, of the Wanganui Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, He has taken a keen interest in the Farmers' Union since its inception; in addition to being Chairman of the Marton Branch, he was the Union’s Parliamentary agent for several years. He is an enthusiast in rifle shooting. In age, Mr Newman has not yet attained the half-century.

Mr John Stevens, the defeated liberal candidate for Manawatu, put up a valiaut fight, in the Second Ballot, and his supporters left no stone unturned to re-elect the veteran. A large number of his supporters, despite his assurance that he would rather “ wear out than rust out,” and that his mental faculties were even keener now than prior to his sad affliction, felt that it was not a “fair thing ” to handicap his health with the worries of Parliamentary life. Mr Stevens has served the Dominion, his Party, and constituency with marked ability, and no doubt a fitting recognition will be made at a later date. Foxton showed its appreciation of his untiring efforts on behalf of the town, by the splendid results at the poll, and Mr Stevens carries into private life the esteem and good will of both political opponents and friends throughout the constituency.