SOCIAL GATHERING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 144, 17 December 1908, Page 3

SOCIAL GATHERING.

MR. BARBER ENTERTAINED. TRIBUTE FROM HIS SUPPORTERS. Mr. W. H. P. Barber \va? entertained at. a social gathering ia ihe Victoria Hall last night. The hall had been prettily decorated for the occasion, and the gathering was presided over by Mr. B. Dawson, chairman of Mr. Barber's election committee, and fhe occupants of the platform included tha Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister for Labour), representing the Ministry, and the Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C. There- was a large gathering in the body of the hall of Mr. Barber's supporters, the- number or women present being above the average. la opening ths proceedings the chairman remarked that they had met to do honour to a native born citizen who had fulfilled his duties in Parliament in a very thorough manner. As to the reason why Mr. Barber had not been returned, Mr. Dawson denied that he himself was an emissary of the Trade, and he alsq doubted the suggestion that the vote was against the Government rather than against Mr. Barber. It was the- people who had been assisted by the Government who had voted against the Government by voting against Mr. Barber. He believed that a good many people had voted in ignorance oi what the Government had done, and that when Mr. Barber again asked for their support he would receive the necessary response to secure his election. (Applause.) The chairman also read an apology at inability to be present from the lion. Dr. Findlay; ho was, ho said, also informed that the Prime Minister had sent a message regretting' that important State business prevented his attending the gathering. The lion. C. M. Luke expressed sympathy with Mr. Barber, and boie testimony to the faithful service he rendered to his constituency while he was a member of Parliament. (Applause. ) He hari served the district faithfully and zealously as a member of the City Council previous to his entry into Parliament, and he believed that he would yet reach the foremost ranks in public life. (Applause). The time would come — and speedily — when the electors of the district would tee that they had mack a mistake, and if, the present membar identified himself with thu Opposition he would find that that party would not meet the new desirss of the people. The country needed, and would demand, progressive and Liberal measures, such as Mr. Barber had always supported. (Applause). At this stage the chairman read a telegram from tho Prime Minister and the Hon. G. I'owlds expressing regret at being unable to be present, and wishing the affair every succese. Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P., also sent an apology for inability to be present. SPEECH BY THE HON. J. MILLAR. In presenting Mr. Barber with an address from his supporters, expressing their appreciation ot his past services, the Hon. J. A. Millar said he thought I it would not be long before Newtown discovered that it had lost one of the most valuable members it had ever had. (Applause.) At any time he would sacrifice the interests of the- Dominion for Newtown, and ho knew of no one who did his duty more conscientiously. He was a worker, both in the' House and in committee, and when they got a man like that his absence was a loss to the House and the country. (Applause.) He had not gone tor long. (Loud applause.) He was perfectly satisfied that three years' experience would show the psople of New| Zealand who was their best friend. (Hear, hear.) If the people who put Mr. Barber out votedagainst the Government, did they mean that they were tired of the legislation of -the past twenty years? Ho urged that the Government had dsalt with matters generally in the interests oi the public, and the policy of the future would be a policy of progress on safo lines. They would show the Opposition that they had a strong band to meet. The Government had had a long innings, and if the people ' had not approved of their legislation and administration tne Government could not have been where it is to-day. Th-3 Government intended to carry out legislation in the mterfista of the people, and no matter how the Opposition opposed it, the Government would carry it out in spite of them. (Applause.) During tho last election there had been more misrepresentation than he had ever seen. It was a poor thing if one got to that level that one could only get a seat by misrepresentation. If they could not tell the truth on the platform, no one could trust them in administration. In handing Mr. Barber tho illuminated address, he said ho was, sure lie echoed the opinion of the Ministry that they would be only too glad to welcome him back into their rank?. The reading of the address by the chairman and the presentation of it to Mr. Barber by the Minister, was the sequel for an outburst of loud applause. MR. BARBER'S REPLY. Mr. Barber, in rising to reply, was received with loud applause. Speaking with evident feeling, he expressed his thanks to those who had assisted him in the campaign. Those engaged in public life had to bow to public opinion. At the last election he was the victim of circumstances — of the change made in the electoral law, which was received with a good deal of opposition by many electors throughout tne Dominion. That, in addition to other circumstances, was too much for them, and he felt sure that a good deal was duo to misunderstanding. He was satisfied that if the people fully understood the actions and desires of the Government, they would have cast their votes differently, but they were led away by false representations and misstatements regarding himself and the Ministry. (Applause.) Those of the working classes who voted for his successful opponent had voted for. a representative of a party who had opposed and would oppose legislation intended for their benefit. He thanked those who had arranged the gathering, and said that he should always take a keen interest in the district with which he had been so long associated. (Applause.) He felt that he had done his duty both in the City Council and in Parliament, and he would be willing to help his opponent to assist the district in the discharge of his duties. (Hear, hear.)