MR. J. A. MILLAR, M.P.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14369, 31 May 1912, Page 7

MR. J. A. MILLAR, M.P.

HE EXPLAINS HIS POSITION

(PUESS ASSOCIATION IKLEOIIAM.i

DUNEDIN, May 30.

Mr J. A. Millar, M.P., was entertained at a social by supporters and friends to-night, tho Early Settlors Hall being filled. A number of other members and prominent citizens wore present and tho Mayor (Mr John Wilson) presided.

In tho course of his address, \lr Millar said tho Liberal Party hnd recently received a reverse and to-day was in tho uuhappy position of being broken up by men who had not been five, minutes, in public life. Ho did nob caro if ho never held office again, so !long as ho caw a Government i:i effice that would carry on tho country's affairs on tho same progressive lines as in tho past. Tho party to-day was at the beck and call of five or six men who dragged it through tho mud at their own sweet will. It was an un-do-irr.ble posi.i.n and ho did not inte.nl to help it, more especially when thoy had one of those gentlemen on the floor of the House saying it was his mission in lifo' to suck the Liberal Party dry and then throw it over. Ho intended to try to send that member back to hi? constituents and show tin., his vaunted powers of suction were not there. They found, three lloyal Commissions sitting to-day for tho gradual absorpton of men who were doubtful. It would bo a thousand times better for tho party to go into honourable opposition. His principles were tho sumo as they had always been, and at the close of his public lifo ho was not going to change them; ho wns not going over to the Keform Party. Ono of two things must happen: a new party must bo formed within tho Houso from men on both sides, leaving tho extremists out- It must bo v party with a broad, forward policy, without any rash experiments. If they could not form a party on those, lines, his vote would go every time for .a dissolution. Possibly there would bo a Minister in Dunedin shortly, and after noting what he said, he (Mr •Millar) would probably address a meeting in reply to what might bo said in regard to himself or the action of thoso who wero endeavouring-, to nut tho affairs of the country on a sounder basis, and also explain more fully what took place on tho last occasion tho party met. Other members of Parliament spoko in terms of appreciation of Mr Millar's work as Minister nnd member.