RECENT ELECTIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 137, 9 December 1908, Page 3

RECENT ELECTIONS.

HON. T. W. MISLOP ENTERTAINED. A HANDSOME PRESENTATION^ The Hon. T. W. Hislop was entertained at dinner at the Okareta Private Hotel by his friends and supporters last evening. Mr. W. E. Dickinson presided, and about sixty people were present. The guests included the Hon. C. M. Luke and T. K. Macdonald, M.L.C.'s, several city councillors and prominent business men, and others. The Hon. T. W. Hislop proposed the toast of " The Parliament of New Zealand." He said he would prefer had he been in the position of not being qualified to propose this toast (laughter). Parliament, it was suggested, was the creation of the people. To this doctrine he could not subscribe. Very often the peopla got wrong ideas of what Parliament did and proposed to do. In the past, however, the people had reason to be satisfied with the way ihings had evolved. New Zealand was in advance of many countries. It was, no doubt, in advance of .Russia, Bulgaria, or Servm — that was something to be thankful for. The people had to see, he said in conclusion, that the laws made by those who had charge of the country were the laws which were needed in the interests of the country as a whole. The Hon. C. M. Luko responded. He said his presence at the gathering was a mark of appreciation of his old friend, Mr. Hislop. (Applause.) There were times, he said, when the best men were kept out ,of Parliament. Parliament waa supposed to be a reflex of the people of the Dominion, but it was not always a reflex of the mind of the people. In tho main .New Zealand had a Parliament of which it might well feel proud. Looking back over the years it seemed to him that the Parliament ot to-day in some respects suffered by comparison with that of remoter limes. He remembered some of the debates associated with tlic movement for the abolition of tho provinces and the public works policy of the time. Perhaps one fault oj. present-day methods, vas the hurry with which legislation was passed. He was ..if and the great principles concerned in law-making were not sufficiently discussed. It might be caid that he was a novice, but his observations were based on 'his conception of Parliament as he saw it during the last two sessions. The result of hasty legislation was the frequent amendment of Acts, due to lack of cousideration of all the circumstances in the first instance. New Zealand was part of an empire that stood for what v.as noblest <tnd best. To-day he feared there were factors at work which might undermine the Empire's prosperity. Tho time had arrived when there should be another great conference between representatives of all parts of that' Empire. There were ominous " underground swellings " in Europe, and it behoved us to put our house in order. He alluded to Mr. Hall-Jones's appointment as High Commissioner, and spoke of the need for improving our commercial relationship abroad. In conclusion, Mr. Luke said he regretted that Mr. Hislop had rot been elected s to Parliament, where he was certain he would have rendered good and valuable service to New Zealand. The chairman proposed the toast of "Our Guest " He said it was to be regretted that the campaign had not resulted in a different way, but the members showed that there was hope. Already Mr. Ilislop had attained political fame as a Minister of the Crown, and some of tho Bills which he had helped to pass would ever remain a monument to his name. (Applause.) As Mayor, Mr. Hislop's work had been capable and honourable. (Applause.) In a large measure he was indebted to Mrs. Hislop for splendid support. (Renewed applause.)) They yet believed that Mr. Hislop would occupy a place in the Legislature of the country. (Hoar, hear.) Advancing years might somewhat dim one's prospects, but Mr. Hislop still had many years of usefulness before him. On behalf of friends and supporters, he presented to Mr. and Mrs. Hislop a handsome set of silver ware. Mrs. Hislop and some lady friends had arrived just before the presentation was made. Mr. John- Hutcheson supported the toast. He confined his remarks to what he described as the man. It was, he said, rather difficult to speak as one wished. Ho valued Mr. Hislop as a friend because he was courageous, humane, and purposeful. (Applause.) These attributes he illustrated with incidents which were to the point in each case, and which thoroughly pleased the audience. It was a great pity Mr. Hislop was notfo. Parliament. If Mr. Hislop was pu&irlto Parliament the people would get 500 per cent, return in experience, capability, and good service. Touching on the campaign, he said it was necessary at times to send people home with "warm feet," to tell them "a little story," and not to talk to the heads of the people only. He hoped Mr. Hislop would stand again on the first opportunity. If organised labour had done what it ought, Mr. Hislop would have been returned. In Labour's private ear he would say a word which would not Bo quite polite in that society ; he had done so already. It was actions, not words, that counted. In reply, Mr. Hislop said he feit that his position was a difficult one, after listening to what the chairman and Mr. Hutcheson had said. For the remainder of his life he would try to live up to the charactei which had been given him. It was a long time since he first entered politics — at a time when the question of the abolition of the provinces was being fought. Tho franchise and the land question followed. Eventually the optional system was reached. Land settlement had gone ahead tremendously since that time. He did hope the time would come when the people would recognise that the exercise of the franchise was an important thing, and that people would be judged not by their powers of entertainment — either high comedy or low cornedy — but by their study of what was best for«the community as a whole. When Sir John Hall had put his Franchise Bill through, he was careful to explain that ho did not believe in everybody being given the franchise at 21 years of a.^e, unless they had some regard for thi» privilege, and were capable of exercising it intelligently and proferly. Otlierwibu, tho grunting oH tho rancbise shuuld be postponed till a Inter

age, say 25 years. Howsvcr, it was no use sulking like tln& now. Ho did not think the peoplo nowadays could appreciate i\\& difficulties which surrounded tho land question in the earlier times. Parliament had to go on and try to adjust the machinery of government to the ever-altering phases of society. He pictured what was taking place at Homo at tho present time, where a sixth of the population was practically on the verge of unemployment, notwithstanding the great wealth nf a section of tho community. Theso questions hod to be faced, and whatever interest politics might have for him in the future, he hoped the affairs of State would be guided by the wisest heads and not by people who indulged *in fun and humbug at election time. (Applause.) Ho viewed his defeat with mixed feelings. For three years it would relieve him from bother, but if returned, the three years' work would probably have resulted in good to somebody. (Loud applause.) For the gift he extended his heartfelt thanks. Mrs. Hislop also added her thanks. Several other toasts were honoured. The musical part of the evening was contributed to by Miss Foster, Messrs. Harken, A. Footo, Hendry, and D. Twohill.