The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, June 9, 1910. OUR MEMBER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 850, 9 June 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, June 9, 1910. OUR MEMBER.

Elsewhere in this issue is published a report of Mr EdNewman’s pre-sessional address delivered at Rongotea last Saturday. It contains an account of bis stewardship and a digest of what took place during our member’s first Parliament. The speech discloses the fact that Mr Newman takes a wide view of the Dominion’s politics and puts them before local needs. As an Oppositionist his criticism of the Government is surprisingly mild and it would appear that he is prepared to go a long way in company with the present administration. His condemnation of, and opposition to the Second Ballot is shared by a majority of the members and whilst M’s.P. should be elected by a majority of the electors, some simpler method should be evolved and adopted other than the Second Ballot. The Opposition, however, are equally to blame with the ministry for interference where second ballots were taken. Every fairminded person will agree with Mr Newman that the Defence question should be lifted above party politics. Mr Newman said the clear line between the Government and the Opposition was the leasehold and the freehold. He believed if they had as the motto for the next election, “ Every man his own landlord,” they would win the election. That is a point at which we are at variance with our member. The Government should not part with the lee simple of one foot of its endowments. The o.r.p. should not be extended beyond the subdivision of large estates. Mr Newman has still got the connecting link of the Main Trunk line between Devin and Marton in view and he can be relied upon to push this important matter a stage further during the coming session. On the whole our member has carried out his duties faithfully and conscientiously and has modestly left unsaid much that he has done in connection with the local Harbour Board and other minor matters of interest to this constituency.