MR FIELD HONCURED.

Otaki Mail, 6 October 1922, Page 4

MR FIELD HONCURED.

! CORDIAL COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET. STRONG PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION. Lfevin demonstrated its appreciation of Mr \V. H. Field's Parliamentary services in no uncertain way on Monday night, when he was tendered a complimentary banquet in the Druids' Hall. 'There was uii attendance of upwards of 100 local residents, visitors from Palmerston, Foxton and Otaki. and a delegation of fourteen members of Parliament, headed by the Prime Minister, and anxious to show their appreciation of their colleague's work in the House. The Mayor, Mr D. W. MiiUieson, presided, and the guest of the evening, Mr Field, occupied the place of honour, with Mr Massey on the chairman's left. The proceedings were marked by great goodwill and cordiality towards the Parliamentary representative from whose electomtc Levin has now been excluded. During the evening h brief loiist list was honoured, and songs were contributed by_ Messrs. Denton, Howard Andrew and 11. Hunter, and a Shakespearean recital by Mr Aitken. A small orchestra under Mr Hayfield contributed appreciated music.

THIIJi TE TO PARLIAMENT, j Dr. J. G. l.tra proposed the tonst oft parliament, prefacintt liis remarks by confessing that he had never been in- i s'de the doors of Parliament. His knowledge of its doings had been , gained irom a very careful study of i the debates ol Parliament, a period!- | i al that was a flue type of good litera-1 lore 'laughter— lull ol a great many i ha: a I .rs, brisk oratory and always most interesting. The speaker referj red 1" the high moral tone in Parlia-. men!, and said the present Parliament bad luMy lived up to the high [traditions "i the past. No Parliament had had to go through such a time ol stress and crisis, nor had iroute out ol it with such credit. He referred to the courage with which, in the face ol mi election, the Prime Minister had propounded hi.- policy of economy, retrenchment and greuipr production. As president of the local U.S.A.. he acknowledged Mr Field's great services to the soldier-settlers. ~nd said they hoped rot much from the hoards the fiovernmenl was siting up to" investigate their position. Ml! FIELD'S PERSISTENCE.

Kir John Luke paid a tribute to Mr Field ,w!io. he said, was one of the most persistent members, one who was always on the job. and one whose fund of information on local and national milters was inexhaustible, lie j lei! sure he would he returned. (ApI plause. Referring to the work ol reI ■•oustruction alter the war, lie -aid (they could no' bring hack the boys { Who had laid down their lives and | been such -hieing examples to those j young men who were to follow them. i but someone had t" set the standard ' in regard to the material things of life and bring the country back to a state of stabiTiiy and prosperity. lie believed the Reform Party, with the : Prime Minister at head, was able ) to hring the greatest happiness to the greatest number ol the people of 'his rotmlry. and thai was why he hoped jto see it returned to office at tlte elee- ! li'-ins. ; Mr Mcl.cod. Junior Whip, stated there were ah sorts in Parliament, but there was one they did ii<>t want I —t9i« individual described by Artemus Ward This \\a- the partv with a we!! balanced mind, that would balance any way the electors wanted it. the man wh" -aid "Them's my senti-

Imenis. pnd if "hey do not -nit they -iCan he n'tpretl." Laught-er.l HiI : pt>.Ti.pt -..id ho knew Mr Field for ti I'nuiuliei •>! years, and tlie greatest lipuotir Hi" ••lectin - litre could do him /after tn-nh'hi was ft> do «s he would I wish Miem to 'I". Applause.) Sir J. K. Hamilton fAwrruai expressly pleasure at being present. He was i one ol i'i' members of (lie lluu.-e who bad watched ibe /fii and energy Mr Field lmd displayed *n his Parliamen- ' tan- work. \p|»Uusc. No political header .he considered, hud held the seal'.-- ol political justice a- Mr Mas|sey had tTonc. F.v-n his opponent* in i Parliament eom-eded that, nml 'ho |sj,fnUer ]r-v"'i the Crime Mini.-ier > would remain "« guide the' ship of ; Stak T hito ibe poH of safety, j "You rue' J"->!!-- Mr Field." the speaker said, "and Die iioxl best thing to do is (c "'"' a man in his place who ' is willing ;•< back op The Prime Minister iitnl lujlp r ''i the affairs of 'he ! country." I Mr <:. F. siattiaiii 'Jhmedin Central [stated that Mr Field Jiad proved a [very active member for tbe Oioij! electorate, and 1113 affair? of the country as well. Mr Field was a keen nata-j rolist and nature and art lover, j 'and it was .-aid he was en- 1 i deavoitnng to hove a railway de- !' viated to save a clump of trees. I (Laughter. Mf Stutham concluded by 1 expressing appreciation at being pre-j "sent at the ban.juet giv*»i in honour J i.of Mr Field. \ \ riiiii.ni'fji nniTKiirn 1

A THOROl■(ill BRITISHER. j Mr 7". W. Rhodes. M.P. for Thames. i said he knew Mr Field as a real good fellow and s\ real Britisher through ; and ihrough Everyone living in New f Zealand eont.l ifiks [.ride "in the faei thru they had rfcVf-i- had am i-hiny in the nature ~: gr..": in cfiniitciion with the Parliament of :;.e liorniiiion. Mr Massey was .mi,pie in the F.mpire in 'that he «...- the only Prime Minister who had held thai high office right through the war. He recommended the electors oLthis part of the Dominion to send a worthy successor to" Mr Edward Newm-m to Parliament in Mr Linklater. so that Mr Massey might have behind him the elements of a stable and loyal Government. i "OUR GUEST.-' Mr -I. Mi-l-Cavey, in proposing Our Guest." -tat.-.I he was diffident at first about projW'S'ntr 'be ioa-t. but the large gpth'erinr: thnt n»ght tnetis i' an •gajv task !' r ]> !■' !•!'•'!: Mr r ?;!-' icn gbefcre he went to the House. H°.

had been a good member, and it was regretted that this part of the electorate was going out of his district. Levin was now a part of Manawatu. He thanked Mr Field for what he did to retain the Levin racecourse. The Racing Commission said Horowhenua had gone to the pack, and Horowhenua lost Its license. Mr Massey visited the show after that, and to a deputation promised to do ihis best to retain it. However, il was retained, and he was pleased to say there was now reserved for the people of the district a park of 72 acres for all time. (Applause.) In conclusion, Mr McLeavey said Mr Field had always done his best to advance anything brought under his notice for the good of this district. (Applause.) Mr H. J. Richards recalled MiField's entry into politics in IS'J'J, when his brother, Mr Harry Field, lived just long enough to hear of his return to Parliament. Mr YV. If. Field succeeded his brother. At that time half the main roads were only muddy tracks. Not one of the rivers was bridged, and many of the district ' roads were not thought of. It became [ a bye-word at Hie County Council ' meetings of those days, "Oh, go and see Field," when anything was wanted in connection with the development of the county. The county was , long and narrow, containing over 00 miles of main road. So much land was set. apart as a grant in aid of '.he Manawatu Railway Company that the County Was a' a loss lor the nccrued thirds that it might have bad for developing work. n ■on.etjuently liad to finance by way of loans, and in that connection owed » great deal <<> Mr Field's assistance. He has lateen a great interest, in the important question of afforest .ibai. and had di.ne good work in the protection ol native flora and bird-life. lie had always teen a staunch supporter u! the freebold, and it was he and several other members who stood behind the Prime 1 Minister in the great light against

i he leasehold tenure. Mr F. (i. Hoe said lie had known Mr Field many yours ngo In Wellington, when he «u> proinineiti in the Star Boating Club and In ritlesh,ooting. lie n»s u n eiiihusis*tic Alpine climber, and look a deep interest in educational mutters. Thev tig£) always looked to Mr Field foi assistant in Levin in regard to education, and had always icceived it. |Mr Hoc commented on th.<! absurd ■ manner in which the electorate hau ] been cut up. Levin'? interests did not (lie with :he Manawatu electorate, but [with the other end of tlm '-oast, and

they were sorry to lose Mr Field's ; services. Major Tatum Manakau said he ■ was delighted to have the opportunity of stating the very high regard in which Mr Field was held throughout the electorate". It was hardly right to say that Levin w a ? losing Mr Field, j because he was sure he would still be in Parliament, and would lie able to ! do his best for Levin, and so help to ' carry on <i<e great traditions of this country. In the Pri.jie Minister they had a pilot who had brougiil (1:0 good , ship New Zealand through many j storms, and whom he hoped would be] spared to bring the ship safely into port,. Mr Herbert Freeman (Otakil -aid if | was a great honour to be present to ' assist on such tin occasion, and be j was glad to see Levin was showing itappreciation of Mr Field's services. it was always regarded a- a strong-- \ hold of Mr Field's, but as he was sure that gentleman would l>e returned, Levin would still have the bemflt of his services and support. j

Mr E. Newman. M.P. tor Manawatu. ) remarked that Mr Field whs h West { Coast man, being born at .Wanganoi, and hail done good service for this' district in Parliament. In 'be de-! ■relopmerit of fure.-try. the preserva- , lion of our bush, and in everything else be was interested in, Mr Field I was a great worker. Mr Newman humorously referred to tiie life of tno j lioliticians. Mr Massey hud vibiied , 1 this district twice latelv. and was! showing keen interest in it. (Laugh- !'

ter. ffe spoke of hi> connection witii :' Mr Massey a- a member of ln> cany. j s and there w ;i - no one be could recall [ i who held the same amount of confl- ' dence and affection* of member*, j (Applause.) His determination to!' adopt retrenchment, no matter howl'

unpopular, was courageous, but it was the oniv »{.ep to ensure 'he national stability of j tic country. He hoped, in conclusion, that 'tie representative elected -for this portion of Mr Field's old electorate would be the ii«i'«irm nominee, Mr Linklater. (AppiaUsS.j Mfi PIULD> Wl'f.W

j Mr Field, who was received with continuous applause, remarked if he j was not a proud man that night .be ought to be, as tie was among friends jam; Had present that night the Prime I Minister and 14 member* of Parliaj tnent to do pjar. honour. Looking round »he room £e many old j friend.--—friends 01 many years- ejtaiKlj tng, from iii- obi dectorare, and oihj ers from the Otaki electorate he nopled to represent after the next election. He had inspected that day an [old testimonial he was presented with irt i')U from Levin supporters, among whom iH&ffi several who hail passed away. 110 Wi>ui*i uvali some 01 the names—B. R. Gordener; p. Bartholomew, J. ft, McDonald, Tame; Pxouse; Richni'd PiO.i-e. p.-lei bjUiWSn, JatiitS Maleoim, Major Li.ideii, Jchfj Davies, Jonn .vrriiin and a nnniher or i>infr.=. Tney hau gone, r.m n was the way ol life. Among his friend? present wera former sttpporters of his !»roTher. who had jepresented this electorate. and whose unfortunate death was reason the speaker**tiaa entered lie life. Notwithstanding thai Levin ! was cut out of his ele'-tora- - e. i! was close at hand, and he would do his best for Le-vm and continue to hold ■'he peopie in kindly recollection for their help and loyalty in the past. He would be most happy to assist the new member for i. r ' in. whoever he may be. and hoped it would b* Mr Linklater. 'Applause. He criticised '.he work of the Boundaries' CcfficUs-! -ion, contending i: y-.ii no: adopredi

the best natural boundaries, instancing the division of the Otaki and Hutt electorates. Before deciding to contest this election he had laid the matter before the Prime Minister, and offered to withdraw if a more suitable candidate could be found, but the Minister had decided that lie was the strongest candidate that was offering. He had therefore decided to stand again. He noticed that in the address of some of the Liberal Party ai Otaki.the other evening. Mr Massey and the Labour Party were mentioned, and would the former vote with Labour to help keep the Liberals out of office, if such a position arose. Mr Field said his recollection was that Mr Massey had stateu he would rather go out than stay in office with the assistance of Labour. He touched on the compact of the Liberal and Labour parties, which provided if the Reform Government was defeated Mr Wilford was to be Prime Minister. Mr Field thanked the gentlemen who had spoken of his services, for which he felt grateful. Tlte district had made great advancement, and would develop further still it they had a good railway service (Applause.) He agreed with Mr Newman regarding the Foxton Harbour. He had supported the Commission that- had sat on the harbour question a few years ago. and was .glad to bear of a line of steamers that was to commence trading with that port. As regards Ihe Manawatu seat, he trusted the people would support Mr Massey's party Mid the candidate selected to routes! the seat. 'touching on the

Otaki electorate, Hie election was not. going 'o be' a "cake walk." 'there was a danger of the Labour candidate winning* owning to a split in the moderate vote, one of his opponents was a Liberal and the other independent Reform, so that there was danger ol the Labour nominee' slipping in. The coming election was going io be hard fought, and he asked liis supporters to see they were en the tolls. Ii they saw to that and prevented the splitting of the moderate vote, they would see Mr Massey again elected to office and the speaker returned and ensure the future prosperity of the district and the country. (Loud applause.; Mr C. Ulenkhorn proposed the health of the Prime Mnlister. Mr Massey, he said, was an optimist. and to see his genial presence amongst them made them feel thai those prosperous times he foretold would come iii our generation. He was one of those optimists, ioo. who ' believed that the best way of ensur-

ing the fulfilment of bis predictions { was to work like the mischief to bring them about. Applause., It , was fondly hoped that the days of ! war were over when the Treaties , were r-igned, but the Imperial call had gone out once again, and the Prime Minister and Cabinet had given the answer that New Zealand expected ihey would give in such a case. Puling aside the question ol right and duty, reasons of self-interest dictated such an answer, lu a somewhat restless wo: Id New Zealand occupied a .•ry unfavourable geographical situation, it ■.light be that in the future a cry for help might go out Irom New Zealand, and no one doubted what , in* Empire's answer would be thenft,]! come peace, < uim: war, they could rest assured that at the head oi affairs they had a sluie.-ma.ii \v|lO could be trusted to do everything I possible to uphold the Empire and maintain the houuui and credit o f New Zealand. Applause. .Tin 'ti-i was drunk with great enUniStiiSflf. |

! in.' Clin..' Minister, "ii rising to [reply, receive) a prolonged o'-ation. He thanked Mr Blenkhorn for lih i kindly references, anil said he was glad to l>e present to 'l" honour to (heir Parliamentary representative. Mr HeW. He was glad to know thai Mr Kiel"! was as in Levin as lie was in the Parliamentary Buildim:-. and that was saying a great deal. He seemed always happy and he was not likely to be a great deal 0/ use to his constituents or to the country. Mr Field was both As Had been =aid. lie was the most consistent and persistent of men. Only Ministers knew hi"', persistent tie was He gave them no rest until tie got Miai he wanted, and then he thought or something else and asked for :«

| Laughter. Mr Massey referred to • the work '>i the Boundary Cominis- , sioners. which had necessitated the jenx-trfu). and was consequently popu- [ one liked parting wuo b-:'. j they had to put up v.iili it in this

ca?e. However, he would venture to {predict that Mr Field would be just .is useful in the future a.- in the past They were not going 10 '.v-e him—- { /i.ppi„ii>.i' —and he was not -likely to forget- Lev;,-;. ~i Levin him. The Prune Minister then pppke .•: length on genera' topics, and was fo I lft wed with close attention and frequently I interrupted by applause. The toa-: of Trade. Commerce and exclusion of Levin from Otaki. No Jul'. If a man was no! popular Mr &'. Q. Adkin, who. owing to fhe lateness oi -tie hour, djd not speak to H, | Mr Field proposed the health of the .chairman, and added a few words of appreciation of the visitors who came from so far :.. honour him, and of the hind foi its attendance. In replying Mi Mathr-son thanked ifiP committee which had ro-opera'fld with tiuj"i in arranging r'n- function. He mentioned the debt local bodies ..we.! to Mr Fie't.i ;.-.r his aS3i»;ance, tfir Primary fadusjries was given by met, !rresd.'f-ijre ;,: their political colour, spoke well oi trie excellent work their guest had done for them. • A very cordial and pleasant gathering closed soon anjr midnight by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne," and tjic Vat tonal An'heru.