THE HON. J. M'KENZIE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10060, 11 June 1898, Page 5

THE HON. J. M'KENZIE.

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE TRESS. Sir, —The Government supporters in the Waihemo electorate must have felt sorry to learn that ftlr John M'Kenzie intended to sever his connection Avith that district at tho next general election, his reason being that the constituency was altogether too big, and entailed speaking at no less than forty places. Some people go so far as to say that owing to the transfer of so many Waihemo electors to snug Government positions the Minister of Lands would now have to face a minority in Shag Valley. But lam not one who gives much credence to a statement of that kind. However, Mr M'Kenzie intends being in the Riccarton district this week, and I would suggest to him to have a run at the next general election for the Riccarton seat. There are only sixteen polling booths., and the constituency being prad-i-' cally a farming one, it should be just tho sort to suit the membei foi Waihemo. In Mr Rolleston as an opponent, the Minister of Lands would at least meet a gentleman, and he need not have the slightest fear of any pickle bottles being used in the contest. Of course it would be "Lombard street to a China orange" that tlie result to Mr M'Kenzie would be disappointing, but he would receive an object lesson which would be invaluable to him.—Yours, &c., A Farmler. Templeton, 6th June, 1898. to the editor of the press. Sir,—ls Mr John M'Kenzie afraid to face a Christchurch audience, or does he at Jast realise that his Government is on the wane? On a former occasion when in this district Mr M'Kenzie addressed a.. small, select audience in Sydenham. Now he has chosen Riccarton to give vent to his eloquence. But why should he ignore Christchurch proper. Surely we have a riglit to expect an address occasionally from a Minister of the Crown. Could not the various Liberal Associations get up a requisition and ask him to spealc on the political questions of the day. lam told that very few signatures would, be required, and he could, if nothing better, do as well as when he appealed to a Christchurch audience in support of the Govemmenti nominee at the by-election.—* ours, &c > '' Cock o' the Noeth.