MR. W. T. JENNINGS, M.P.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1915, Page 8

MR. W. T. JENNINGS, M.P.

'WELCOMED AT NKW PLYMOUTH. 'Mi'. W. T. Jennings, .MP., who won the Taumarunui seat on Tuesday last, armed at Xew iHymoutli from Ohakune liv the mail train Just evening. Urge crowds met the train at Stratford, Inglewood and Lepperton to congratulate Mr. .Jennings on his victory, and when the train steamed into Now Plymouth the platform was crowded wii'a friends and supporters of Mr. Jennings and the Liberal Party, the Citizt in-.' l'a.:id -being also in attendance. Mr. D .J. Hughes welcomed Mr. W. T. Jennings aa. .the meiniber for Taumarunui. i.Vlt of them had at times tried to "ipick a. double," but had not. always been successful; Mr. Jennings was one who had been. (Applause.) They were .proud that the gentleman who hail dene this iluul three sons at tile front lighting for their country and Jimpire, and also of the fact that lie won in, despite of great opposition. (Applause.) This was followed 'by the singing of "1m;!' ITe's a .JoMy (,'ood Ivitow," led by the band, and several hearty rounds, of cheering for Mr. and Mrs. Jennings and family.

Mr. Jennings thanked those present for the very hearty weLorne they had' given him, -which he appreciated very much. The battle he had recently won had been a hard and strenuous one. If he had the time, lie could tell them of many .p'eeuli-ar methods indulged in by.iiis o'ciponents in their efforts to beat him, 'but he had won notwithstanding. What he considered the worst wan their endeavors to disfranchise those brave men who had volunteered for the front by ordering them to concentrate at a place outside the electorate on the day of the election. It was not. bowever, for him that the votes had been cast, hut for the Liberal Party and its progressive -principles, and he was thankful from, the bottom of his heart < Itif; his victory would probably result in the commencement of another long reign of ■Liberalism, and all that it stood for. The Reformers nearly ruined the. country in 1-S9O, and were now in power again, but he was glad to think that they would not be there much longer. lie thanked his many friends for their hard work in his aid. and declared that by such work and unity he felt sure they -Would soon win the Tavanaki seat. At the call of Mr. Jennings, three cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward, and after further cheers for Mr. Jennings the people dispersed. Subsequently, a number of Mr. Jennings's friends and supporters, to the number of about .fifty, spent an hour together, when several congratulatory and other speeches were made, a very pleasant time, being spent.