SIR JOHN FINDLAY'S FAREWELL

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 299, 16 December 1911, Page 8

SIR JOHN FINDLAY'S FAREWELL

ENTHUSIASTIC GATHEB32TG A.T PARNEEX. A STXEtRHTG RALLY. J AIMS OF TRUE DEMOCRACY. ENDURANCE OF LIBERALISM. j The Oddfellows' Hall, Parnell, was last night filled with Sir John Findlay*B joint committees, gathered to bid Mm farewell after the recent campaign. The meeting was marked throughout by the most intense enthusiasm, the entrance of Sir John and Lady Findlay being the signal for .a tremendous outburst of cheering. "Are wc downhearted?" went up the cry, and the answering shout came with a thrilling roar: "No: No!" The proceedings opened with the presentation to Sir John Findlay of a silver cigarette-case and gold-mounted fountain pen by Mr. G. W„ .Basley, "on behalf of your devoted supporters of Parnell.'" he announced, amid an enthusiastic demonstration. "You came here a stranger only six weeks ago, and in that time have come closer and dearer to us than any public man we know," he said, adding: "For the moment the other people are on top, but only for the moment. We will hare another go yet " Voice: "Yes. and we will have clean sport next time." (Roars of applause.) "And next time there shall be no misrepresentation, and I feel sure wc will put you in," declared Mr. Basley; and the assemblage cheered to the echo. Lady Findlay was then presented by Mrs. S. Giles with a handsome solid silver rose bowl, accompanied by the following address:— "Lady Findlay,—On behalf of Sir John Findlay's joint committees, I have been asked, on the eve of your departure from amongst us, to present you with this souvenir, as a token of the high esteem and respect in which you and your good husband are held by those electors of Parnell who have been privileged to be associated with you both during the election campaign which is now over. We deeply regret that Sir John Findlay was unsuccessful in securing the Parnell seat, and wc recognise that the loss is to the people of Parnell. (Uproarious applause.) Wc wish you Godspeed, and sincerely hope that health and every happiness may attend you and yours, and feel sure that so brilliant a statesman as Sir John will not be permitted to remain long out of public life." (Long and continued applause.)

Lady Findlay expressed her apprecia* tion in a few touching words, declaring that the gift was one she would ever prize highly, and would leave to her eldest son as a memento of how much her husband was appreciated by so many warm friends and wellwishers. (Renewed cheering.) LIBERALISM MUST TRIUMPH. Sir John Findlay, in expressing his deep sense of obligation to his many staunch friends of Farnell, said that he had reason to be proud that night. Six weeks ago he had come to Parnoll an unknown man, and was leaving it knowing tha.t he had a circle of friends which he believed would endure to his dying day. (Loud applause.) There was such a thing as feeling the success of victory even iu failure, and that success he felt in that he had been so loyally, energetically and whole-heartedly assisted in his campaign. The contest had been both strenuous and bitter, but he thought be could leave it to them to say whether at any time he had descended to extremes, and to unmanly methods. (Cheers.) He had embarked on a struggle which might have been rash. (Voices: No! No!) —but he would do it again under the same circumstances, for although he was beaten, and although 4000 odd people in Parnell had declared they did not want him, yet he felt a much greater pride in believing that the 3000 odd who did want him were the best people of Parnell. (Loud applause.) He believed that the principles for which he had stood must eventually prevail, and 'he did not believe that the great bulk of the people in Parnell desired their political or any 'branch of their public life to be tainted by anything which might not be called true manly sport. (Loud applause.) DANGEROUS CATCH CRIES.

He who stood for social happiness, social cleanliness, and social interest had attached to his name an ugly meaningless -word which with a number of unthinking superficial people carried some kind of reproach. He himself was only that day while in a tramoar called a “wowser” by one who, in reply to his inquiry what he meant by the word said, “I do not know, but I was told you were a wowser.” "Well,” went on Sir John, “that shallow empty cry carries each weight as to determine -without further question the action of a very large number of people. Man does not live by bread alone, but politically he chiefly lives 'by catch cries. (Lond applause.) Bat Ido not believe that in the long ran this sort of cheap counterfeit coin can do any man permanent barm —I do not believe it can do any party permanent harm. I Apt pla-use.) Terms of abuse and ridicule have in the world of experience often become contributors of praise and approval. (Renewed applansc.) If the men of to-day who arc trying to lift a little higher the plane of social parity and of social happiness are to be persistently dubbed by that ugly word, ‘wowser' there will come a time when that ugiy word will denote a virtue.” (Loud applause.) TELEGRAM FROM SIR JOSEPH WARD. The following telegram: was. received to-day by am Auckland citizen from Sir Joseph 'Ward;—“Many thanlm for your telegram. I hope none of my friends wiQ believe the lying statements of the 'Dominion’ regarding Wellington last night, for what they state is quite contrary to fact.—J. G. Ward.” EXCITEMENT AT KARANGAHAKB. PAEEOA, Friday. Rather an exciting time was experienced at Katanga hake when the election returns were being shown. The Socialistic element was in great evidence, and when the Socialist candidate ms defeated the crowd became disorderly. Rotten eggs were thrown about, and several reached their intended narks. I understand from the local constable that several persons have been summoned to appear at the Police Court on Thursday next.