MR H. F. TOOGOOD.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15014, 8 July 1914, Page 10

MR H. F. TOOGOOD.

REFORM CANDIDATE FOR CHRISTCHURCH NORTH. Mr H. F. Toogood, who has been selected as tho Reform candidate for Christchurch North, is no stranger to Christchurch nor to politics. Mr Toogood went through the engineering course at Canterbury College, and after qualifying himself for his profession as a civil engineer, made his first excursion into politics. That was in 1905, and he.took part in the stormy election campaign of that year.. Ho came out as a member of the new Liberal Party for the Christchurch East seat, and with the other candidates of the Party, he was a strong opponent of the then Seddon Ministry. Other New Liberal candidates at that election wore: Mr T. Wake (Bay of Islands), Mr F. M. B. Fisher (AVellingtbn Central), Mr T. Clarkson (Avon), Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch North), Mr J. Hadfiold (Christchurch South), Mr G. Laurenson (Lyttelton), Mr G. Dash (Waitaki), and Mr H. D. Bedford (Dunedin North). There were also at tho same election several Independent Liberal and other candidates not attached io the New Liberal Party. Tho New Liberal Party, however, fared badly at the polls,, only two members, Mr F. M. B. Fisher and Mr G. Laurenson, being returned. It was, at that election that.Mr T. E. Taylor was defeated, by Mr: C. M. Gray.- It was largely through Mr Taylor's influence that Mr Toogood consented to come out at all, but when, he did come out he entered into the contest with a zest, and although quite a new* and inexperienced man at jthe time, he made remarkable headway in the electorate, and at the poll scored 2051 votes. Mr Toogood delivered his first' political address at tho Choral Hall, and he then proved himself to possess in a remarkable degree one of.the essential qualifications of a successful politician, namely attractive and forceful platform work. His address on that occasion, although suffering from dc'fects due to political inexperience, contained a vigorous denunciation of tho administrative weaknesses of the then regime. This really formed tho keynote for all his speeches. "I believe," he said at a later date, "the people of this country want to get rid of Seddonisin; they want true Liberalism. No matter what party you have in power, we have got one end to aim for, and that should be efficiency in legislation and purity of administration." On another occasion he said it did not matter what Administration was in power, for if the country wanted legislation it would get it.. Administration, however, depended on tho integrity of the administrator alone. Administration came' from. the man, legislation from tho peoplo, and therefore tho people had to keep their eyes more closely on I administration than on legislation. Tho people in New Zealand had got one end to aim for, and that was political cleanliness., . , When consenting to nomination for Christchurch North a few days ago, Mr Toogood showed that, he still held to thoso opinions, and it was in conse-iquence'-of his adherence to that first essential of his political belief, honest and clean administration, that lie had decided to givo his support to tho Reform Party.* j After the 1905 election, Mr Toogood ' entered upon the work of his profession. Ho filled for some years with ability the position of harbour engineer on "the West Coast, and also gained other valuable experience. He has now. returned to Christchurch to practise his profession as a consulting engineer. Hβ has retained all his old interest in politics, has kept abreast with all the political movements since 1905, and now, although he realises it means a sacrifice to him in his profession, he has consented to jom m the fray once more as a supporter of that uartv which alone conforms to the nieh standard of political morality which he has always held should prevail.