A LABOUR M.P.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 90, 16 April 1923, Page 5

A LABOUR M.P.

MR. R. M'KEEN HONOURED.

Mr. R. M'Keen, M.P., was entertained at a complimentary "social" on Saturday night by the Wellington Retail Grocers' Assistants' Union, of which he was .formerly secretary. The function, which took place in the Dominion Farmers' Institute,-'was held to celebrate Mr. M'Keen's return to Parliament, and to mark his recent retirement from his official position in the union. Mr. J. Duncan, president of the union, was in the chair, and among those present were: Messrs. James Roberts (secretary of the Alliance of Labour), James Thorn (editor "Maoriland Worker"), and D. R. Kennedy (secretary of the Furniture Trades Union).

On behalf of the union, Mr. Duncan presented Mr. M'Keen with a solid gold Waltham watch, suitably inscribed, and alao handed to him a handsome cameo brooch for. Mrs. M'Keen. In making the presentation, Mr. Duncan eulogised the great services rendered to the union by Mr. M'Keen during his six years' term ac secretary. / He wished Mr. and Mrs. M'Keen happiness and prosperity, and hoped that in Parliament Mr. M'Keen would be as successful as he had been while connected with the union. (Applause.)

The health of Mr. and Mrs. M'Keen having been toasted with musical honours, Mr. M'Keen replied, stating thai he could hardly adequately express his feelings at the splendid manner in which he had been treated by the members of the union. He would look back to that gathering with pride all his life, and the watch would make him ever remember the happy associations that he had had with the union during the past six years. He felt still more proud of the fift they had bestowed upon his wife. he ■ wife of a' man who took a prominent part in the Labour movement had often to make greater sacrifices and bear greater worries than the man himself. On her beha-lf he thanked them very sincerely, and he was sure that she would be extremely delighted with their mark of appreciation. (Applause.) A programme of songs, recitations, etc., was contributed by Mr. B. MayaH's quartette, and by Messrs. Bentley, D. Hogg, Meek, Thompson, and Butts. The toast of the "Industrial Labour Movement" was proposed by Mr. D. R. Kennedy, and responded to by Mr. James Roberts; that of the "Grocers' Assistants' Union" was given by Mr. A. Black, and responded to by Messrs. J; Kenlnedy and S. Butcher (secretary), while other toasts were the "Labour Press." responded to by Mr. Thorn, and "Kindred Organisations," responded to by Mr. A. W. Croskery.