OFF TO CANADA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 420, 31 July 1928, Page 9

OFF TO CANADA

MANUKAU SAYS FAREWELL TO MR. JORDAN A large meeting representative of the local bodies and public of the Manukau electorate said farewell to Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., at the Foresters’ Theatre, Onehunga, last evening. Apologies were received from the Prime Ministrt*. the leader of the Opposition, Mr. W. Lee Martin, M.P.. and others. The Mayor of Onehunga. Mr. W. C. Coldicutt. occupied the chair, and on the platform were Mr. E. F. Jones, chairman, and members of the Mount Roskill Road Board. Mr. S. W. House, deputy-chairman of the Manukau County Council, Mr. A. Milliken, deputy-chairman of the Ellerslie Town Board members of the Onehunga Borough Council, and Mr. H. G. R. Mason, M.P. The Mayor said that Manukau was honoured in the selection of Mr. Jordan as one of the representatives of New Zealand to the Empire Parliamentary Conference in Canada, and referred to the distinguished services of the late Sir Maurice O’Rorke and Sir Frederic Lang as past members for Manukau. The wide experience which Mr. Jordan would gain abroad would, he hoped, bo of service to the people of New Zealand on his return. Mr. E. F. Jones said that Mr. Jordan’s common honesty had gained him many friends and not an enemy in the district, and lie was sure he would bring before the conference in Canady much that would be of lasting benefit to the people of the Empire. Mr. S. W. House paid tribute to Mr. Jordan's energy in bringing to satisfactoi y conclusions all business that the Manukau County Council had placed' in his care, and he regretted that owing to the readjustment of the boundaries of the electorate, the council would lose Mr. Jordan’s services. Mr. A. Milliken, on behalf of the Ellerslie Town Board, said that Mr. Jordan had proved himself a worthy representative of the district. The Mayor then presented Mr. Jordan with a well-filled wallet of Mrs. Jordan was the recipient of a lady’s companion, Master Jordan, a camera and Miss Gwen Jordan a portmanteau.

In acknowledging the gifts, Mr. Jordan said that he had been told that the prohibition party was paying his expenses in order that he might furnish them with a report on the working of prohibition In the United States. He had also been told that he was being financed by the brewers who desired his absence when the Licensing Bill was being dealt with. So far. however, hA had not heard of any funds coming his way from Russia. In his tour abroad he would meet men whose names w*ere household words in the Empire; men who were acknowledged authorities on the great questions of trade, defence, immigration, etc.; but for himself he wanted to see the homes of the people, their schools, their workshops, and their conditions of life.

“In my absence,” said Mr. Jordan, “I leave in your hands what may happen. I have no fears about the coming election. You have given me permission to go and I cannot imagine n. body of men who say, ‘Go away,’ and then put another in my place. I feel sure that you will study my interests while I am away, as I have studied vour interests while here.” Messrs. H. G. R. Mason. M.P.. H. Jones and C. D. McLean also spoke, and musical and elocutionary items were rendered by Mrs. Dreaver, Messrs D. J. Williams and T. Tughey.