VALEDICTORY BANQUET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2470, 22 August 1922, Page 2

VALEDICTORY BANQUET.

TO MR EDWARD NEWMAN ESQ., M.P. WELL-DESERVED TRIBUTE TO PUBLIC MAN. Mr Edward Newman's supporters throughout this constituency tendered him a valedictory banquet in the Masonic Hall last evening as a tribute to his faithful services both as a member of Parliament and citizen on the eve of his retirement as member for this constituency. The interior of ‘the hall was artistically decorated with streamers, flowers and greenery and the table decorations reflected credit upon the artistic capabilities of Mrs Walls and her staff of assistants. Among those who gathered round the festive. board were the Prime Minister (Right Hon. Wm. Massey), Hon. Mr Nosworthy (Minister for -Agriculture), Sir Thomas McKenzie, M-L.C. (ex High Commissioner), Sir John Luke, M.P., Messrs F. F. Hockley (Rotorua), K. S. Williams (Bay of Plenty), J. R. Hamilton (Awarua), W. H. Field (Otaki), W. S. Glenn (Rangitikei), J. A. Nash (Palmerston North), David! Jones (Kaiapoi), T. W. Rhodes (Thames), V. H. Potter (Roskill), M’s.P. and representative public nien from various parts of the district from as far north as Mangaweka. Mr Gordon Eliott (chairman of the Manawatu Reform Party executive) occupied the chair and seated on his right was the guest and on his left the Prime Minister. Apologies for absence were received from the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister for Railways (on account of a severe cold), Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister for Education), Sir Win. Fraser, Sir James Wilson, and a number of the guest’s colleagues and friends. The very inclement weather during the day precluded many from attending. As it was the accommodation was taxed to its utmost and the gathering was the largest and most representative of its kind yet held in this district. The Premier and those accompanying him, were motored from Levin.

Upon arrival at the hall, the Premier and guests were received with cheers.

The loyal toast was proposed by the chairman and followed by the National Anthem.

Mr B. P. Lethbridge proposed the toast of the guest, Mr Edward Newman, whom he bad known since he came to the district in 1882. He referred to the many incidents of Mr Newman’s career and paid a tribute to his enterprise and sterling qualities as a settler. Speaking of Mi’s Newman, he said she was one of the most gracous and best beloved women in Rangitikei. He referred to Mr Newman’s activities ns a member of the Rangitikei County Council, Education Board and Farmers’ Union and subsequently his entry into Parliament and the splendid services he had rendered to the State as Chairman of the Lands Committee. As a Parliamentarian he had ever been obliging and courteous. The speaker referred to the assistance the guest had rendered to patriotic movements during the war and to his splendid efforts on behalf of the men and their dependants in the Mercantile Marine by the distribution of wool profits, a scheme which the guest inaugurated. After a period of active public service since 1884 he was entitled to a well-earned rest. Whatever he had put his hands to had been done thoroughly and well. (Applause.) Mr Bryce (Marton) spoke in a smilar strain and referred to Mr Newman’s activities in connection with the Levin-Marton deviation. Had Mr Newman been Minister of Railways lie ventured to say this link would have been made and the country would not be losing money on the railways.

The Hon. Mr Nosworthv said he had been associated with Mr Newman in Parliament since 190 S and they had been dose friends. With the Be form Party, he regretted Mr Newman’s retirement as he had been a loyal supporter of the Government and one of its stalwarts. He sincerely iio|>ed his services would not be lost to the country. He wished him long life and happiness. Sir dohn Luke said the guest had earned Cabinet rank. He was not robust, but was a live wire all the same. The House looked upon Mr Newman as a strong man, particularly in matters of finance. He could say that Mr Newman was one of the straightest and most faithful men who had ever sat in Parliament. He referred to the splendid assistance he had rendered to the men of the Mercantile Marine. He hoped the country Avas not going to lose Mr NeAvman’s services. This constituency should feel proud of having such a member to represent them.

Messrs H. Lethbridge (president of the ManaAvatu A. and P. Association), H. H. Hunt (Rongolea), and Glenn, M.P. (Rangitikei) also spoke appreciatively of the guest. Mr NeAvman in rising to respond was received with a tremendous outburst of applause. He said Avords could not_express the gratitude he felt at the honour done him and that- his services had been overestimated. He had done no more than the majority of his colleagues. It had been a pleasure to serve the people of Rangitikei and Manawatu from Avliom he had always received kindness and consideration. He thanked them all for the honour done him. Referring to the Prime Minister he said that Mr Massey had had to face difficulties during the past ten years that had not fallen to the lot of any other Prime

Minister. He had had to contend against industrial strife followed by the war and the aftermath of war. The country was fortunate in having such a strong man at the wheel. He had won the confidence " of the people as a whole. The Party behind Mr Massey was solid and loyal. His services to the Dominion and Empire were recognised from the King to the humblest citizen. It had fallen to the lot of Mr Massey and his ministers and Parliament to face the pa inful task of restoring the finances to a sound basis, a. job which required courage, determination and a strong sense of duty to the people. The Government were facing these great problems now, whereas an unscrupulous Government might have held them over for a time to its own gain. That was not Mr Massey’s way and he deserved the support of all true New Zealanders in his efforts to straighten out the financial problems brought upon this counfry through the Great War. He did not wish to deal with party politics, but he said there was only one party whose propaganda is a real menace to the Dominion and .the Empire in this country and they were called the extreme Labour Party. In other countries they are known by other names. Their objective was the same, the destruction of our social system. In the conditions which exist in New Zealand, there was no justification for the existence of such a Party. There was no room for Bolshevism. We already possessed all the rights for which in less advanced countries in the old world they were still fighting. At the present time we require the continuance of a strong, sound Government inflexible in its determination to restore the finances with a leader that knows his duty and will do it, regardless of the consequences. This, said Mr New- . man, is what we have got andwha we must retain for the next fei years. Mr Newman touched on tb. future prospects of this distrit and the industries which will foi low the introduction of electricity the straightening of the river ana deepening of the port to promote shipping. He said the Government would favourably consider legislation giving power to the Harbour Board to finance shipping. In this connection Messrs Nash, Field and Glenn were interesting themselves It was with very great pleasure the he heard that Mr Linklater hr >- been selected as the candidate lion his retirement. He was eha s' r man of the Kniranga County Con ■* oil and the Foxton Harbour Boa:-4 c He did a great deal of patrir 9 r work and lie hoped he would be turned to Parliament. Finally Newman thanked them for tl? ; kindness. He had made friends J < Parliament and public service who H had enriched his life, and whose friendship he valued as a posses- ~ sion he hoped to retain as long as he lived. He hoped that some place may be found where he would continue to serve the district and Dominion for a few years more. ' (Loud applause.)

The toast of “The Government” Avas proposed by Mr D. W. Mathe son, Mayor of Levin. He stre M the difficulties of the times, a?'| Q way the Government had conpj its affairs under such condition him it seemed that the strength ♦rf the Government lay largely in $ leader. Tmes like the present we A not for the theorist, hut for the cr » struetive worker and thinker. j In reply, the Hon. Mr Noswor 'W said Avhat had been said of'** . Prime Minister was perfectly tr Cabinet and the House loved a Jy respected Mr Massey and he f the great majority of the peop of NeAv Zealand (lid so too. after the shock of the Great Wpf the Dominion’s credit stood as big as that of England. No Govern ment, he hoped, would ever ha\ such a troublous time as thatwhic afflicted this Government in the fin* ancial slump that marked the con elusion of the commandeer.

Mr -J. K. Hornblow proposed tli6 toast of the “Reform Candidate” (Mr -Joseph Linklater). He stated that it had been said somewhere that a candidate had been foisted on to the constituency. It was no such thin". Representatives of' all parts of the district, with Mr New man, had discussed the selecion an Mr Linklater bad been decided: c Manawatu was one of the wealthiest constituencies, principally concerned with agricultural and pastoral pursuits, and its selected candidate was not only a fanner but had taken an interest- in public affairs to the extent of having been chairman of the Foxton Harbour Board and the Kairauga County Council. He was a son of pioneer parents and a New Zealander. though not a returned soldier from the recent Great War he was a ve - er an and had freely offered his services to King and Empire in the Boer War and fought under General Plumer. His loyalty to King, Constitution apd Empire was beyond suspicion and his moral character was untarnished (applause). In this connection neither the Government nor constituents could afford to take risks in the selection of a candidate. It had been said that Mr Linklater was a Palmerstonian. His residence was in the Palmerston area but all his interests were in this constituency. There was no fear of Palmerston being represented by two members. Mr Nash, one of the most enterprising men in Parliament to-day could look after Palmerston’s interests and Mr Linklater could be relied upon to concentrate wholly . on the Manawatu. Mr candidature was looked upoaig with favour throughout the consti-jy tuency and he had no doubt that Ire'' would be returned and prove a wor-

thy successor to Mr Newman, (applause and cries of “good old Joe.”) In reply, Mr Linklater said that in whatever positions he had occupied he had tried to do his best. It was with a great deal of diffidence that he had accepted the candidature for the Manawatu, but since in all parts of the district he had had such an excellent reception he felt sure, of his return. He would try.hard.to he a worthy successor to Mr Newman.

The toast of the “Chairman” proposed by. Mr Newman, was drunk and an adjournment was made to the public meeting in the Town Hall.

The following: apologies and tributes to Mr Newman were read at the banquet: —. . TRIBUTE PROM SIR JAMES WILSON. The following letter was read from Sir James Wilson, ex-member for Manawatu, and Chairman of the Manawa'tu County Council, who was unable to he present:

“I am glad to see that the electors of Manawatu are going to show how much they have appreciated my old friend, Mr Newman’s work, as a Member of Parliament. His services to the public have been of the highest order and as an individual elector I should much like to have been present at the banquet. Unfortunately I am debarred from attending, but I can assure you I shall he with you in spirit, in all that can be said about Mr Newman both as a citizen and Member. As a Councillor for one of the Ridings of the County, I can speak with a knowledge of the way in which he has at all times helped the Council and attended to their requests. His high-standing in the House has always been acknowledged 1 and I hope his services to the County and the land' of his adoption will not be forgotten, and that his experience and political knowledge will not he .entirely lost in his retirement from the House of Representatives.” SIR WILLIAM FRASER’S TRIBUTE. Sir Wm. Fraser, Member of the Executive Council, wrote as follows :

“I regret exceedingly to have to say that it will be impossible for me to be present at the Valedictory Banquet which Mr E. Newman’s supporters in the Manawatu Electorate are tendering him. Need I say how pleased I am to know that Mr Newman’s valuable services are being adequately recognised. This recognition is not confined to his constituency, for genuine regret will be felt throughout the Dominion at the fact that he is retiring from the political arena. Parliament can ill spare such a man.” FROM HON. D. H. GUTHRIE (MINISTER OF LANDS). “I regret exceedingly that owing to indisposition I am unable to join the Parliamentary Party which is visiting Foxton this evening on the occasion of the farewell function to your present member, Mr Edward Newman. My inability 7 to attend is a matter of special concern to me, as Mr Newman is one of my closest friends, and since 1908 has been my Parliamentary coadjutor. It would have given me very great pleasure to have been with you to testify as Minister of Lands, to the excellent work performed by Mr Newman on the Lands Committee, of which he has been chairman since his election to the House. His retirement from that committee and from Parliament will be greatly regretted by all who have the interests of the country at heart. In the discharge of his Parliamentary duties he displayed not only th« greatest ability but also an earnest and honest desire to what was right in the interests of all concerned in the selection of his successor, a very important duty evolves on the electors of Manawat and it is a. matter for congratulation that you have offering a public-spirited man of sterling-character such as Mr Linklater assuredly is. If elected to the House he will make a worthy successor to Mr Newman.”