POLITICAL.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 86, 10 June 1902, Page 4

POLITICAL.

The following item, clipped from the Inglewood Record, will be ofinteresfci to our readers:— A representative number of settlers met at Inglewood on the 30th of May, at which Mr Pennington said'the settlers about had been told that two candidates were to be brought out to meet Mr Symes at the coming election . one, Mr J. Mackay, of Mid hirst, in the Government interests, and one, Mr R. Hursthouse, of Motueka, in the Opposition interests ; and the members of the Liberal League committee and others thought it advisable to get Mr Symes to come and consult with them as tohis views before any other candidates were openly in the field, Mr Symes then said he was pleased to meet them all for the discussion of any question. He was going- to address his constituents in the large centres before the session commenced and so far as he was aware at the present time that would be on the Ist July. He did not, under those circumstances, intend to say much to them then, but would be glad to answer any questions they might ask. He could say, however, that he had never vet broken any pledge given to his constituents, and he never would. He was still the same Liberal that he was when they first returned him, and he always should be until he was under the sod He had had to vote against the Government many times, and would have to do so again ; but what he had done he had at all times done openly, and they could themselves judge him. He would not attempt to say flie had not made errors—the man who never made errors never did anything. He held that the first and most sacred duty of man to man was his*|Word. No nian should go back on his word. The Government had done a great deal of good for tne colony, and would no doubt do a great deal more. He had been told before that the Opposition were bringing Mr R. Hursthouse here to run him (Mr Symes), and also that the same Opposition were bringing Mr Mackay out as a Government candidate to split the voting with him (speaker) and so secure the return of Mr Hursthouse He, however, did not think Mr Mackay would be made a tool of for political purposes. He bad always done what he thought was best for his constituency, and should continue so to do ; but they must not expect to send him to the House bound and gagged he would not be. r After a few further remarks a resolution was carried pledging the meeting to support Mr Symes against any other Liberal Candidate, and votes of thanks to Mi- Symes and the Chairman closed the proceedings.