HON. E. NEWMAN

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 220, 13 June 1930, Page 10

HON. E. NEWMAN

Out of Upper House ACTION CRITICISED United Appointments Dominion Special Service. Marton, June 12. “Residents of Rangitikei, in fact the great majority of people in the Dominion, must have been surprised and disappointed to learn that the Hon. E. Newman, C.M.G., has not been reappointed to the Legislative Council,” remarked a prominent Marton business man when interviewed to-day. “This Government seems to have reverted to the old idea of spoils to the victors —its latest appointments are made from its own ranks, and records of public service seem to have been overlooked,” he added. “No one has done more for the man on the land than Mr. Newman.”Mr. Newman’s record of service is one of which he may be justly proud, and to him Rangitikei owes a great deal. His public service commenced in 1884, when he was elected to Rangitikei County Council, on which he served for twenty years. He served also on the Education Board and on the hospital board. He was one of the founders of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, and /to-day he is a life member in recognition of his sterling services to the men on the land. He acted as Parliamentary agent for the union when the question of freehold v. leasehold was being discussed. Mr. Newman entered Parliament in 1908 as representative of Rangitikei, and as a supporter of Mr. Massey, who was then in Opposition. How he represented the electorate is best proved by the fact that he never tasted defeat. He remained in the House until 1922, when he retired and was at once elevated to the Legislative Council. He was for ten years chairman of the Lands Committee in the House, and was an active member of the finance and other committees. Since be has been in the Council he has always been regarded as an authority on all matter? pertaining to land settlement and farming generally. Founder of “Flock House.”

Throughout the whole of the Dominion Mr. Newman is known as the founder of the great farmers’ war memorial known as “Floek House,” which has been admitted by distinguished visitors from all parts of the Empire. He is.still chairman of the trustees. In recognition of his services he was decorated with the title C.M.G. “The Government has put the party before the people in making its appointments,” continued the Marton man, “and it is well to eall to mind that this was not done by the Massey or Coates Governments. Here are some men who were appointed by Reform: The Hons. J. Barr (Labour), Sir W._ F. C. Carncross (Liberal), J. Craigie (Liberal), W. Earnshaw (Labour); Sir W. HallJonse (Liberal), J. A. Hannan (Liberal), L. M. Isitt (Liberal), W. H Mclntyre (Labour), G. J. Smith (Liberal), R. Stout (Independent), G. Witty (Liberal). - Both the late Mr. Massey and Mr. Coates studied public service in making appointments, but the United Government is going to help its own friends. “It might also be mentioned that Mr. Massey appoined Sir Thomas Mackenzie (Liberal) as High Commissioner, but the present Government lost no opportunity in getting one of its own colour in office at Home.” “People will not stand this sort of thing long,” he concluded.”