BACK TO THE FOLD. MR. T.MACKENZIE'S CONFESSION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 49, 27 February 1908, Page 7

BACK TO THE FOLD. MR. T. MACKENZIE'S CONFESSION.

UNDER THE WARD BANNER. 'BT TELEGKAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WAIKOUAITI, This Day. Mr. T. Mackenzie, M.P. for Waikou- j *iti, addressed a meeting of his constituents last night. Theie was a large attendance, visitors coming from many parts of the district. Considerable interest was attached to the meeting as 2Vlr. Mackenzie had announced his intention of stating fully his reasons for deciding tv support the Ward administration In' the course ot his speech Mr Mackenzie claimed that he was free to 1 support a reconstructed Ministry in so far as that Ministry gave effect to his political opinions. As to whether he ■was violating bis political principles and obligations by so doing, ho contended that his declaration involved no niich departuro on his part. Politics with him were a creed and not a profession, a,nd he challenged anyone to come on the platfornj and put his finger on a single departure from the principles that had been espoused by him for his life-time. He stood by his opinions as expressed in the past, subject, of course, to such modifications as time and experience had shown to bo wise. It was claimed, and rightly -too, that many of his views were on the lines of the Opposition ; he saw good in bot/h sides, and that with some was an unSardonable offence. He quoted frcm pposition papers to show that in some instances they had spoken very favourably of proposals of the He denied that he had received substantial inducement to make his announcement. Ho realised that the points of difference, in many respects, between nifny members of the Government and tho Opposition were not great, and that if party bonds could be overcome there would be a body of men, who, while following sound Liberal principles, could tell those who had espoused the cause of revolutionary socialism in the country that they could muster their strongest members and test their full powers, but tho Liberals would form a solid body to oppose them and to give effect to what they believed were the best principles that could be advocated for the Dominion. He was for progress and liberty, and he desired to see the country built up or solid and permanent lines. \ At the conclusion oi his address Mr. T. Mackenzie in, answer to a question said he did not wallow the wholo Ministerial programme, but only so ■far as it carried out his principles His position was largely independent. In reply to another question as to whether he would stand as a Ministerialist or Independent at next election, Mr. Mackenzie said if the Ministerial programme suited him ho would stand as a Ministerialist. As Sir J. Ward's speech in Auckland largely answered ■what he thought was required at present he largely supported, that programme. The meeting approved of Mr Mackenzie's attitude, and expressed confidence in him as the representative of the district.