VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1078, 5 December 1911, Page 2

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

TO MR HOWARD NEWMAN, M.P. A valedictory social, under the auspices of the Foxton Borough Council, was tendered to Mr Edward Newman, late sitting member lor Mauavvatu, in the Coronation Town Hall supper room last night. There was a representative gathering present and the Mayor, Mr Stiles, presided. The Mayor said a number of prominent townspeople of all shades of political opinion could not let the opportunity pass of in some way marking the esteem in which Mr Newman is held and to express their appreciation of his services before he severed his connection with this part of his old electorate. He only regretted that Mr Newman could not serve Foxton for another term. Foxton had loyally supported Mr Newman and if it had the opportunity would have given him a big majority at this election. (Applause). He bad not heard a discouraging word against Mr Newman. With Mr Newman as their representative that had forgotten party feeling. He could not associate Mr Newman’s name with anything that was not honest and fair, and he was a man who would not cringe or toady to anyone. He looked upon Mr Newman as an ideal member. (Applause). Anyone reading Hansard would agree that Mr Newman’s criticisms in the House were fair and impartial. If the Opposition were returned to power he ventured to predict that Mr Newman would be elevated to the Ministry. The Mayor referred to the careful attention Mr Newman had given to local matters, such as the harbour, public buildings, etc. The health of the guest was then drunk.

Mr Henuessy, Chairman of the Harbour Board, was pleased of the opportunity of taking part in the ceremony and to do honour to Mr Newman, He would be sailing under false colours to say that he supported the party to which Mr Newman was allied. But he never considered party politics when dealing with Mr Newman. Mr Newman could not have given greater attention to his own private affairs than he had to all matters connected with Foxton. He felt sure that had Foxton remained in the constituency Mr Newman was now contesting, it would have increased its vote in his favour. He paid a tribute to Mr Newman’s personal character and added that it was a great pity that there were not more men of his sort in the House. He felt sure that Mr Newman would always render assistance to Foxton.

Mr Horublow paid a tribute to Mr Newman’s personal worth and referred to the friendship that existed between them which he hoped would last throughout life. Mr Newman was an honourable man and could be trusted to do the right no matter on what side of politics he stood. Cr Gibbs regretted the circumstances which had robbed Foxton of Mr Newman but he felt convinced that he would be again elected. Mr Newman was familiar with this districts’ requirements which would always receive fair and sympathetic treatment at his hands.

Before calling upon Mr Newman to reply, the Mayor, on behalf of the citizens, presented Mr Newman with a line travelling rug. He said the donors had anticipated that Mr Newman would go back to the House, and the rug was not only symbolic of the warmth of their feelings, but they hoped it would bring him a little comfort during his journeylugs and also in the Chamber itself.

Mr Newman, who was greeted with a round of applause on rising to speak, said it was impossible for him to find words sufficient to express his feelings at the kind expressions and sentiments uttered towards himself. The gathering, being of a non-party nature, had no party significance and he regarded it with the greater pleasure on that account. His connection with P'oxton had been pleasant from the start. He referred to his first coming to P'oxton and the friendships he had formed which would be lasting. He referred to the great improvements which had been made in P'oxton since 190 b, and paid a tribute to the Mayor and Councillors in this respect. He referred to the Council’s liberality in reference to the Coronation Hall—a building worthy of the town and which would eventually pay well. The gas works had been municipalised and in time would be au interest-bearing investment. As au M.P. his greatest pleasure had been in helping to assist local bodies and private persons to right grievances. He also referred to the improvements at the railway station and the acquisition of the old cemetery through the generosity of a native, Aputa. He hoped in time the Council would have this historic spot suitably laid out so that it might become an ornament and place of interest to the people of the town and district. There were three great obstacles to P'oxton’s progress and no representative will do his duty who does not strive to overcome them and they can all be overcome with proper management. He referred to the acquisition of the wharf, railway connection with Marton and Levin and closer laud settlement. He then explained the difficulties which prevented the passing of the P'oxton Harbour Bill. He had approved of AH Henuessy’s action in withdraw ing the Bill. He had hoped to read a letter to them from Air Miliar re price required for

the wharf and although he had received a telegram to the effect that the letter had been forwarded, hut he had not yet received it. He urged the Harbour Board to meet the Feilding people aud spare no effort to overcome their objections, but to accept any reasonable compromise with regard to rating. He was convinced that tire rates will never be collected but on the contrary the wharf will become a source of great revenue. Touching land settlement, he said that as the land is cut up aud the country products increase Buxton's trade will develop greatly and when railway connection with Martou is established, Foxton will tap the Main Trunk traffic and it should become a most important port —the most important port between Wellington and Auckland. But the differences must be settled before the Bill is again introduced. He urged the resusitation of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce which had done so much useful work in the past. He did not want to touch party politics, but the Minister's objection that the traffic must be carried the longer distance in order to make the railways pay, is absurd aud contrary to every sound business principle and against the interests of the producers, the country and the local port. New Zealand had to compete with Denmark, Canada, Argentine, and other countries near the Home markets and our greatest handicap is that of freights aud charges of transit. Other countries were spending money like water to shorten distances to the Boudou market, and we still had the doctrine preached that the whole traffic ol a large area of the most fertile portion of the North Island is to be diverted from its natural port iu order to make the Government railways pay. He urged that the railway construction between Tevin and Martou should be done by local bodies enterprise if the Government had the right of purchase at a price to be fixed by arbitration. He referred to closer settlement aud the difficulties presented owing to much of the laud being held by the natives. He hoped to co-operate with Otaki’s representative in this connection. Of the future of Foxtou he had no doubt. He would never cease to feel au interest iu Foxton ; he would never cease to feel grateful for the confidence the people have always extended to him, aud so long as he was in public life his best energies would always be treely aud gladly used to promote the advancement and developmeut of this district aud the port of Foxtou. In the past he had done nothing more than his duty. Whoever they elected in his stead, he hoped might be a man of high character whose sole object would be the true good of the country and not office aud power, because he was placed in a position of the highest trust, aud should seek first the well-being of others. He appreciated the gilt whicu was symbolic of their kindness and warmuess of heart, Cheers were called lor Mr Newman aud heartily responded to,