PUBLIC GATHERING.

Shannon News, 22 August 1922, Page 3

PUBLIC GATHERING.

APPRECIATION OF MR NEWMAN'S WORK.

REFORM CANDIDATE INTRODUCED

Following the complimentary banquet tendered to Mr. E. Newman, M.P. at Foxton last night, an adjournment was made to the Town Hall, which was crowded. Mr. G. Eliott presided. The first speaker was Mr. J. Chrystall, Mayor of Foxton, who formally welcomed the Prime Minister and the big gathering of politicians who occupied the stage. He referred to Mr. Newman's impending retirement, and moved a resolution: "That this meeting, representative of the whole of the Manawatu electorate, desires to express to Mr. Newman its regret that the state of his health precludes him from contesting the seat; also that the meeting expresses its full

appreciation of his devoted services to the interests of the Dominion and the Manawatu electorate during his term of 14 years as member of Parliament, with the hope that his health will "shortly be benefited by the rest sufficiently for him to devote his abilities to some other sphere of public life." Mr. W. H. Field, M.P. said he' always received whole-souled co-operation from Mr. Newman. That gentleman always acted with the utmost sincerity and with the good of his district at heart. He cordially seconded the motion. Mr. W. Bollard, Government Whip, said in his opinion Mr. Newman had served the whole Dominion as well as he had his own electorate. , His visr ion had never been narrow. Mr. W. V. Smith, representing the returned soldiers, said he was a settler on the returned soldiers' farms at Makowhai, and had always found Mr. Newman a loyal helper anxious to do anvthing for the men. Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames) said Mr. Newman had been chairman of the Lands Committee for 10 years, and a fairer and more upright chairman could not be found, nor could a man who took a broader and more equable view of the land question. His valued work had been largely responsible for the framing of the present land laws of the country. Sir Thomas Mackenzie expressed the pleasure he felt at being present at the valedictory dinner to Mr. Newman, especially as he had been present at the dinner on his entry into politics "As you know, lam a member of the Lords," said Sir Thomas, "and am in that serene assembly where elections cease to trouble and the weary are at rest. It -is a tranquil

atmosphere suitable to the temperament of a person like myself." Mr. Newman was a profound thinker, a wide reader, and a man who gave voice to his ideas in a fearless manner. As the great Lord Chesterfield said when he was elevated to the Upper House that he had fallen upstairs, so he hoped that Mr. Newman would fall upstairs and would there find scope to exercise his ability m the service of his country. The motion was carried with accla-

mation. . Mr Newman expressed his smcerest thanks for the manner in which the resolution was carried. He felt that contraray to the popular belief about public men's services, his had been overestimated. He had no hesitation in saying he was extrehiely proud of his electorate, and it had been his greatest privilege since 19 0o to serve it. Yet in comparison with what Sir Thomas Mackenzie and Mr. Massey had performed his services were not worth mentioning. Mr. Massey had encountered troublous times "with strikes, the war, and latterly the slump, and it was indeed fortunate that a strong man was at the

wheel. . The Prime Ministere (Mr. Massey) was received with a round of applause. During 14 years of strenuous work, he had had Mr. Newman in his party, he said, and he could tell the electors they had reason to be proud of their representative. No man was more entitled to take Cabinet rank. In his, years as chairman of the Lands Committee, the conversion from leasehold to the freehold tenancy had taken place, and Mr. Newman had. worked hard towards the accomplishment of this object. At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Massey introduced Mr. Linklater to the audience, as the official Reform candidate, relating his career in semi-public life. He felt that Mr. Linklater was straight-going and honest, and would be a worthy successor to Mr. Newman. A hearty vote of thanks to the Prime Minister was carried on the motion of Mr. A. Stuart.