PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESSES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 17

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESSES.

MR T. MACKENZIE AT PALMERSTON. A large gathering afc&ernbled on Monday 2nd inst. at the Town Hall to listen to thyj address of their member. {Several pipers turned out anoV escorted him from his hotel to the hall to the inspiring music of the "Mackenzie "March " and other well-knotvn melodies. The Mayor (Mr E. H. Clark) occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the member. Air Mackenzie spoke for about an hour and a-quarter. much on the lines of his WaikDuaiti address. He was listened to attentively, hia remarks at various times being punctuated by applause. At the close of the meeting questions were called on. but few were forthcoming until the chairman took a hand, when some £{MTit was put into things. They included questions regarding land for settlement, disposal of freehold, old-axe pension, and representation. Perhaps the question of leading interest was as to the attitude Mr Mackenzie . would tak^e up if he were included in a Government in the event of any matter being introduced with which he disagreed. Would he resign. The member explained the method obtaining regarding Cabinet procedure, concluding by saj'injr that on such qustions as the tenure of land, .if ho were in a Government and that Government was to decide to abolish all freehold tenure and substitute leasehold, he would resign. Mr Mackenzie at the opening of the meeting explained that his reaon for Rivin/? lii« address first at Waikouaiti was because that centre was in the newlyformed electorate, and also because he had been advised that his recent political announcement had so displeased his constituents that ihey had lost confidence in him. -As he had received a majority of votes at Waikouaiti at the election, if a Tote of want of confidence had been carried, it would have had a significance not attaching to one of a similar character at Palmerston, inasmuch as he did not receive a majority of votes there. On tho Chairman calling for motions, Mr Wm. Robertson caused some amusement by moving a vote of censure on " Civis* 7 for his last week's notes. Mr A. Gilmore moved a vote of thanks for the address. Mr J. Stevcart moved a vote of thanks and confidence in Mr Mackenzie and approval of his action. This was seconded by Mr Geo. Cruickehahks, and carried. A very pleasant and successful meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman, after which the pipers once more assembled and played Mr Mackenzie on his way home. Mr Mackenzie was the Sfuest of Mr Rodk. M'Kenzie, of Bushey, during his visit t~ ~1"'-nerston.~ 1 "'-nerston. . AT HAili'DEN'. Notwithstanding tho wet night the hall at Hampden nas comfortably rilled with constituents to hear their member's speech. Mr Nicolson (Mayor of Hampden) occupied the chair, and in introducing Mr Mackenzie said he was very sorry the electorate had been so cut up as to deprive the district of the services of Mr Mackenzie, He had known him for many \ear\s, aim his course had been straight and clean, and no country member in Otago understood or fought better for country interests than did thei»* member. Some asserted, who did not" know, that he had changed. It was the Government that had largely come to his way of thinking on many matters. H© (Mr Nicolson) had enjoyed the privilege of listening to Mr Mackenzie at Waikpuaiti, and he had no hesitation in saying that 'it was the greatest political speech he had ever heard in his life, and there a unanimous vote had been carried approving his action. He would just give them one illustration of what people thought of their member. An old gentleman, 87 years of age, came all. the way from the Port road to Waikouaiti, and returned by midnight train to Dunedin, arriving there at 3 a.m., and then he had to walk five miles to reach his home. In reply to a question he said: "I have kent him since he was a laddie, and would go double the distance to hear him." And then away he went trudging home. Mr Mackenzie then tvent very fully into many subjects, much of which has already appeared, with the exception that he dealt •pith the question of representation. As j;as closing hie remarks on land and

oducdi ion a pcr-on m rhe hnll mtvi leti'ni " trimiiniig."' Mr Mackenzie, fixing hi*, e>e on tho gentleman, said you aro ]vet the man I am locking for. We don't often get a hold of your class at public meetings; their methods are usually confined to distilling discrediting when an opportunity, docs not ar»s>e for showing 1 them up. Are my opinions not well known? I challenge you, sir, to come up on this ► platform and make specific charges of trimming backed up by such evidence «is an intelligent audience would accept. — (Loud applause.) The interjector said he would come up. At the close of the speech, which was listened to moat attentively and frequently applauded. tiueation- were called on, when from ihe body of the hall tho question was put by Mr Mackenzie's interruptor. Were you not bound to lernain an Independent member until the close of 1908, and has the Government gone in your direction? Mr Mackenzie quoted from the Oamaru Mail the speech on which he had won the election at Hampden, showing he was absolutely free 10 take whatever course he thought best, and regarding the tendency of the Government policy he quoted from speeches of members of the Opposition and leading Opposition journals (showing the trend of some of their recent actions. Mr Murcott, who occupied a seat on the platform, then rose to move a motion, when Mr Mackenzie stopped him in order ! to have the charges regarding his iiohtical | actions gone into, adding if his accusers would not proceed now face to face with i him and his constituents, then, if they afterwards cait reflection, the wav to treat them was to say they had no time for them. — (Loud applauee.) He had often been told before coming 1 to meeting's that he was going to get things hot. and pome would afterwards say, if I had only taken him in hand I would have made "' mmcc meat of him. — (Laughter.) Mr Murcott then moved : " That this meeting heartily approves of the attitude Mr Mackenzie has taken up, and has every confidence in hinr as the representative of the district." In doing so he said he had watched Mr Mackenzie's career for 20 years, and he was one of the most useful public men in the Dominion. He was capable and thorough in all he ever undertook. He was greatly sorry at the change, and he hoped our Parliament would still have his services for some constituency. He had been 48 years a resident in Hampden, and had great pleasure in testifying to the very high opnion in which he and this district held Mr Mackenzie. Mr John Douglas seconded the motion, and said Mr Mackenzie was a stronger man to-day than ever he was in publio estimation. He sa:d that, too, although he still held to his Oppositon politics, but it was the man he trusted. They had listened to a most able speech by a most able man. He was very sorry they were to Tose his services from this part. — (Loud applause. A vote of thanks to Mr Xicolson closed the meeting.