HON. J. B. HINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1919, Page 3

HON. J. B. HINE.

ENTERTAINED AT STRATFORD. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) The Hon. J. B. Hiue, Minister for Internal Affairs, was entertained by his constituents in the Town Hall, Stratford, on Monday evening at a conversazione. The Minister was accompanied by Mrs. Hine, who occupied a seat on the platform with him. The gathering was a very large one, and all shades of politics were represented, while many came from distant parts of the electorate. In the hall decorations all previous efforts were surpassed. The stage, with its wealth of beautiful flowers tastefully arranged, and furnished as a drawing-room, was not only a tribute to Major and Mrs Hine, but helped to create that social atmosphere the promoters desired. The electrically illuminated crown, with the letters "E. R.", which was used in connection with the peace celebrations, formed part of the decorative scheme, and the colored lights and- Chinese lanterns hanging from streamers had a very fine effect. The latter part of the decorations was the work of Mr. Hollands, borough electrical engineer. Card tables were distributed about the hall, and the endeavor to free the proceedings of stiffness and formality proved entirely successful. A fine orchestra had been engaged, consisting of Mr. Rogers (conductor), Miss Rogers, and Mr, Penn. In the absence of Mr. W. McMillan (Mayor), who had taken a lively interest in the arrangements, Mr. Cameron (Deputy Mayor) presided. SOLDIER AND POLITICIAN. The chairman extended-a hearty welcome to all visitors, and said he was proud of the response from all parts of the district to the invitation to'join in welcoming the Minister. He claimed to have known Major Hine longer than any man in the hall, or Mrs. Hine. He had known him as a footballer and a sculler, and had always found him a clean sport, ever , anxious to win, but a man who could take a beating. Characteristics which were pronounoed in early life invariably showed out in later years. Major Hine had represented Stratford for eleven years, and he had always been fair to his opponents and true to his friends. As the representative of the people, he sometimes received hard knocks, but he always came up smiling. He had not failed in his duty to his country in a time of crisis, and, while many stayed at home to enjoy the luxuries of life and, in some cases, to make large profits, he helped to bring the Hun to Itis knees. He was very pleased that Major Hine's services to his country and his ability had been recognised by his party leader. Thirty years had elapsed since Taranaki was represented in the Cabinet, if they excluded Sir Thomas Mackenzie, who was not a resident. It was a coincidence that Major Hine's predecessor was also a fighting man, nnd held the same rank. On behalf of the Mayor and the people of Stratford, the chairman then congratulated Major Hine, and concluded by expressing the hope that the coming election would show that men who had fought rind bled for their country were to have their services recognised and have a voice in the government of the country. GAMBLING IN POLITICS. Mr. Walters, chairman of the Stratforjl County Council, said he had been warned against touching on polities, but they wanted men in Parliament who were clean and straight and who would always try to do their duty without fear. They wanted men who could say "no." They were entering upon difficult times, and it was hard to say where they would arrive if millions were to be spent in nationalising coal mines and other industries. There was too much of the gambling spirit, and the expenditure of millions was talked of too lightly. They wanted a strong, steady Government which would direct the affairs of the country along sound lines. He had seen by the press that Sir William Eraser was resigning, and he hoped that Major Hine would be his successor. (Applause.) Mr. Morgan (Mayor of Waitara), in a humorous speech, said he had known Major Hine since he was seven years of age, and had been his school teacher. There was an old saying that the boy was father to the man. In Major Hine's case this was true. What he had been as a hoy lie was as a man. Teachers were always proud of scholars who' succeeded, and he was very pleased to see that his old pupil had attained Ministerial rank. Mr. 0. S. Hawken said that, in appointing young men like Major Hine to the Ministry, the Government would get more in touch with the people, and he looked for a great improvement as a result. Mr. Jennings, member for Taumaiunui, j recalled a previous speaker's remarks that clean, honest, straightforward men were needed in politics. "Major Hine and myself," he proceded amidst laughter, "are just that." They would notice that there a Bill before the House giving women the right to sit in Parliament, and soon they would be wanting, clean, honest, and straightforward women to represent them. (Laughter.) Major Hine did not now belong to Stratford only, and he would have to take a wide and unbiassed view of all questions in the interests of the whole Dominion. In the turbulent and troubled waters of to-day they wanted the best men—men with honesty of purpose, who would work for the common good and who would help to bring about "peace on earth and goodwill toward men." PRAISE FOR SOLDIERS. Major Hine, who was received with bursts of applause, said he appreciated the way in which the people had turned out to do him honor, and he hoped that his future deeds would not disappoint them. He had been very pleased to hear the different speakers and the kudos given to him by his old teacher. He was proud to have Mr. Jennings, who was an older politician than himself, present. The proudest event of his life was when lie had the honor of commanding the Taranaki Mounted Squadron. They were ; men who had to do and not complain, and he could not pay too great a tribute to them. 'There was one to whom he owed much, and he wanted to acknowledge his indebtedness. He referred to his lifelong mate—his wife. (Applause.) She had always been of great assistance to him, and had made many sacrifices. AGAINST PARTY SYSTEM. He had been a politician for upwards of fourteen years, and he was proud to have the confidence of the people and to be called into the inner circle, where he would have greater responsibilities and greater power. His only hope was to use his greater opportunities for the good of the country. As far as he was concerned, party government could go to the wall. There were more serious questions to consider than who should be the leader of the country. The quesfiea jQMt .Wm th« country going to be

governed by sane Labor legislation or was it going to be handed over to the e • j 6 ?' 9 ? B ' ma tter what he had said during the past fourteen years, he 3ai " now that party government could go by the board. The past he was putting behind him, and very likely they would find him contradicting statefonte that he had previously made. He had been given a wider view of life, and he had no hesitation in retracting many things lie had previously said on the public platform. Many men had changed just as he had, and if they were to converse with the boys who had returned from the front they would find that their views and outlook on life, as a result of the conditions they had seen J? Old Country, had vastly changed They had come bnck determined that these evils would not be repeated in this country. One of the speakers had laid stress on his life's work, but had on 'y done his duty. He started his public service on the County Council, and ultimately had reached Parliament. In seeking public positions his aim had not been a selfish one, and he woul3 probably have been a richer man had he stayed out of politics. Politicians gave UP a, lot of opportunities, and so did tne men who went to the war. HIGHER WAGES. Speaking of repatriation, Major Hine said the Government had been trying to place men on the land and set them up in business, but had been up against it owing to high values resulting from a natural sequence of events. The very fact that a large number of men had gone to the war and that many of them had disposed of their farms reduce.l values, and now that they had returned it was found that the war had forced up values. 'This was no fault of the National Government. They wanted to repatriate the men, but a new condition of things had arisen. The old era had passed away, and there was a new basis of values. The sooner they realised this the better for all concerned. Higher wages would have to be paid owing to the higher cost of living. Wages would have to go up simultaneously with the cost of living. He accepted the new condition of things, and tried to focus, not on what was behind, but what was before. They wanted all politicians to do that. It was a stubborn man who would not alter when he was up against it, The Government would have to step out and develop the country as never before. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. After referring to the assistance air. Jennings had given during his (Major Hine's) absence at the front, the speaker said this showed that the party spirit was not very deep. Dealing with other matters, Major Hine said he looked for a great speeding up of the country by the development of hydro-electric schemes, railways, and other public works. Such schemes could not be put into force without labor, and, while they had first to provide for their own soldiers, there was not sufficient labor in the country for necessary development works. He thanked the Stratford people for their loyalty during the three years of his absence, as a result of which the district had, to a certain degree, sufi'ercd. When lie went to the war lie did not think of Stratford or New Zealand. He felt that, after being a volunteer for fifteen years, lie could not, avail himself of the privilege the age limit gave him when the actual need for scrvife came. He looked upon his cnll to the Cabinet as a great compliment to the soldiers That was the motive that, actuated the Prime Minister, apart from any personal attributes he (Major Hine) might have, and he hoped that he had the qualities necessary to a Minister. Had it not. been for ill-health, he believed Mr. Downie Stewart, another returned soldier, I would have been called to the Ministry also. (Applause.) At intervals songs were sung by Mrs. Hollands, Mrs. Massey, Miss Phillips, Mr. A. D. Bills, and Mr. Walters, and n. duet was sung by Mrs. Massey and Mr. Lonergan. Eacli item was liberally applauded, and Mrs. Massey and Mr. j Bills were encored. An enjoyable supper was served, after which the remainder of the evening was devoted to cards and dancing. Most enjoyable selections were played by the orchestra during the evening. The accompaniments were played by Mrs. J. H. Thompson.