BANQUET TO MR. W. H. FIELD, M.P.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2488, 3 October 1922, Page 2

BANQUET TO MR. W. H. FIELD, M.P.

A complimentary banquet was tendered to Mr W. H. Field, M.P. for Otaki, by the Levin bis supporters, whose electorate has been merged into the Manawatu electorate, at Levin last night. The gathering was a very representative one, including the Prime Minister, eleven members of Parliament, and public men from all parts of the district. Mr Matheson, Mayor of Levin, presided over a gathering which crowded the Druids Hall. When the guest, accompanied by Mr Massey and the Parliamentary party, arrived, they were received with cheers. The Levin Band, of which the guest is patron, played a number of selections prior to the function, and a well-balanced orchestra, interspersed with vocal and elocutionary items, whiled away the time between the speeches. Dr. Gow, in proposing the toast of Parliament, made a happy speech, and referred to the high average ability and good moral tone of our public life. The splendid traditions of the past had been lived up to. He referred to the trying period through which the present Prime Minister had had to pass, and his steadfast and courageous character, which had won for him the esteem of the Empire, policy of the Government was one of retrenchment and economy, with increased production, a uolicy that they were prepared to stick to on the eve of an election,- and would see through. He paid a tribute to Mr Field and his work in con--1 nection -with soldier settlement.

Sir violin Luke paid a tribute to the guest. He sad the Reform Party had set up its standard, which would not be pulled down until the happiness and prosperity of the people had been accomplished. Parliament would do its duty if the people did theirs. He referred to the era of progress which was in front of this district, and hoped the electors would give the same support to the selected candidate as they had given to Mr Field. Messrs McLeod. (Wairarapa), J. IC. Hamilton (Awarua), Statham (Dunedin Central), Rhodes (Thames), also spoke. Mr McLeavey, H. J. Richards, F. F. G. Roe, Ed. Newman, M.P., Major Tatum, and Mr Herbert Freeman spoke in support of the roast of the guest, and made reference to his faithful sendees as a Parliamentarian, and his activities iii the interests of the district. In responding, Mr Field met with ,i fine outburst of applause, and referred to his long connection with ihe electorate, and thanked kjjg®for their friendship and loyrt%, md asked them to extend the same • o the candidate selected to follow him (Mr Linklater). He would ■ -ill continue to push forward the interests of Levin. He found no justification for cutting out Levin from his present electorate. So far as the coming election was concerned, he had placed himself unreservedly in the hands of his chief, and was prepared to stand down, but had been told to carry on. He referred to the progress of the district since the time he and his brother had first represented it in Parliament. He made special reference to the importance to the district of the Foxton Harbour Board. The toast of the Prime Minister ’/as proposed in an able speech by Mr C. Blenkhom. The Prime Minister received a great ovation on rising to reply, fie paid a fine tribute to Mr Field, and referred to his popularity in Parliament. Mr Field was a most ;>ersistent member —a fact wellknown to Ministers. No sooner had ;-e got what he wanted than he was Blinking of something else. Mr Massey referred to the Near East crisis. He stated that the financial position of the country was improving, and gave a most interestingj*vlew of the finances. He said he coped, to pay into the State Advances Department within a day or two ihe sum of two millions, which he proposed to lend at 5A per cent, at chattel securities in sums of £250 :o £3OO to small farmers, to establish them on the land. He also -la ted that the boards that are to nquire into the condition of the • uldier settlers are set. up in eleven different districts, and ,in the one remaining it would be set tip in a few days, and would be able to recoinmenee operations. Other portions of Mr Massey's -p< eh are reported elsewhere. In conclusion, the Premier said the Government had done its level best in the interests of the Dominion, and a stable -government such as he had had during the past three years was required to carry on.