A PRESENTATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1511, 6 August 1912, Page 6

A PRESENTATION.

TO THE HON. F. M. B. FISHER. FOUR 'VICTORIES WELL WON. At this stage of the proceedings Mr. E F. Skinner, the chairman of the Hon. F M. B. Fisher's election committee, on be half of that committee, presented Sir Fisher with an illuminated address. Mr. Skinner said that Mr. Fisher hat fought four elections in Wellington ant luul won. them all. Not. only had he woi them, but; he had won them against odd: which would have sent other men underwon through indomitable pluck. Thi odds would be apparent when Mr. Fisher': opponents were stated. In. the by-electioi by which lie had first entered Parliumen his opponents had been Messrs. Join -Hutchison and Charles Izard. In 1905 In had been opposed by Mr. I'. J. O'Kegan in 1008 by the Hon. T. W. Hislop, whi had then been the Mayor of the city; ant in 1011 by Mr. Robert Fletcher, who hat I then been at. tho height of his popular ily in municipal government. Mr. Fishei had beaten them all. (Applause.) i A voire: Ho always will. (Applause.) Mr. Skinner said that Mr.-Fisher hat been assisted in his early campaign; by a small committee which, however had made up for numerical weakness bj enthusiasm. Mr. Fisher was the firs; born Wellingtonian to occupy a. seat ir tho Cabinet of Now Zealand. (Applause. And the speaker thought, that, the las< Wellington man to occupy Ministerih rank was that grand old man, his father Mr. George Fisher. (Applause.). Mr. Skinner then presented Mr. Fislie with the address, and a bouquet was pass cd up to the stage for Mrs. Fisher. Following is tho text of tho'address "It is with tho greatest satisfaction that we, the executive of your clcctioi committee, tako the present opportunity of extending to you our heartiest con gratulatiohs on your advancement t< Ministerial rank as a member of what wo believo to be one of the soundest and most progressivo Governments this country has ever possessed. We are prouc to know that our representative in Par liament has acquitted himself with sue! marked ability to win, at a comparative ly early age, so high and honourable i distinction; and we have every confidenct that the heavy responsibilities attached to the oflice \Vill ).-& \yfll and worth!-!' borne by you. We recognise that thi times are such as.call for the presence ol strong and. able men at.the hjltn of th< ship of State, and . that minor difference; of opinion amongst .members, of Parlia ment should be sunk in order to securt harmonious unity of effort towards gOot government, which alone tan win for oui country that full and rich_ harvest o: happiness and prosperity which its grea natural advantages entitle its people U cxpcct. "Wo aro convinced that yon and youi colleagues in the Ministry have sincoreh at heart the well-being of the people o] N"«v Zealand; that the high talents ui wMcliiou, l»tfl sjwji to ho jii»

sessed will continue to be devoted lo the t initiation of such measures as' will assist s to ameliorate the lot of the poorer classes, c and promote the. welfare of all seasons t of the community. As a young New Zealander, in a' young Now Zealand, we look to you willi confidence as cno of the leaders ill the movement towards do- , veloping amongst our people that high j national spirit'so essential as a Lunula- ; timi on which to build the future of our „ country, and without which no nation t can liopo to rise to any real or lasting [ greatness. "In conclusion, wo desire to express tlio j hope that you may be long spared to play , an important pai't in the management ot .j Iho Dominion's affairs, anil that your c future career may be crowned with even w greater successes than those which have j already attended in such liberal measure ( , on vour conspicuously able efforts." . i Signed: D. I l '. Skinner (chairman), | ' Thomas Black, )'■ C. M't'ieorgeson, J. ,T. Fannin", .1. H. Hinton, Martin Beck, Cr. Warren, 11. E. Manning; T. 11. Meadows, W. I. Clark. Henry Juriss, W. A. Thorn- ( soir (secretary). (