THE HON J. M’KENZIE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIII, Issue 12242, 30 June 1900, Page 8

THE HON J. M’KENZIE.

HIS RESIGNATION AS A MEMBER. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June 29. The Hon J. M’Kenzie’s resignation as a member of the House of Representatives was placed in the Speaker’s hands this morning. The Waihemo seat has been declared.vacant, and the issue of a new writ has been ordered. The election will probably take place on July 13, as the writ is returnable within three weeks. Three candidates for the vacancy are mentioned. Mr ■ S-cobie Mackenzie, Mr Arklc, a Government supporter and Mr T. Mackenzie, formerly member for Clutha. This morning the Press gallery wired their sympathy to Mr M’Kenzi® and received a reply this afternoon. The following are the telegrams:—“ Hon John, M’lvcnzio, Palmerston, —The Press gallery listened with regret to the Premier’s announcement of your resignation. The members bag Mr M’Kenzie to accept their assurance that they endorse from long and appreciative observation every word said in the House of his high character, generous disposition, vigorous power and fidelity to his principles. They feel that as Captain Russell said, and the Premier implied, they will not readily look upon, his like again in the House until he returns to it safe and sound. That this may be so soon is the wish of every member of the gallery. A! E. Cohen, chairman.” The following is the reply “A. E. Cohen, chairman Press gallery, Wellington,-—Your telegram to hand, and I desire to thank yourself and the. other members of the gallery for their kind expressions of sympathy and goodwill towards me. I wish to reciprocate the latter most sincerely, and in doing so have to thank the members of the gallery both present and past for their uniform courtesy and kindness to me from the commencement of my political career to the present:time.' Kind:regards tb; all.—John M’Kenzie.’’ . v - - AIR M’RENZIE’S LETTER OF A RESIGNATION. ■; -[From Ovr Correspondent.] ■ : . WELLINGTON;, June 29. The Hon John M’Kenzie. forwarded his resignation as a member of the House to the Speaker from Heathfield oh June 26. In- his letter to Sir Maurice;, he states that his health is so infirm as to make it hopeless for him to think of being able to attend the House this session. He adds that his constituents have been exceedingly generous. They were practically disfranchised, owing to his absence all last session, and yet, at the end of the session they returned him unopposed, whan he could not possibly have contested the seat. That they would put up with his absence again he could easily believe, but it would not be right for him to accept such a sacrifice, and he felt it his duty now to give place to someone who could adequately represent them in Parliament, He expressed his gratitude for the generous consideration shown him on all sides, and particularly by 'his opponents, since his break down. To his political friends, the party be 'shad worked with so long, Mr Seddon or Mr Ward, would speak his mind, but to those who had differed from him, and with whom he had exchanged so many hard buffets and blows in debate, he would like the Speaker to say how deeply he. had been touched by their generous forbearance and kindly expressions; of sympathy. And say this, too,” he added, “we cannot all see 'eye to cya with one another in this world. There ore many roads to the same goal. They have pursued theirs and I mine, hut speaking now at what may. not improbably'be, the end of my public career, I readily believe of them what I hope, in charity, they will believe of me, that we all love New Zealand, and have been each pursuing the path he honestly thinks to-be the best;for her prosperity and .peace. I desire also'to thank you, sir,.for,your many kindnesses, and to express the hope that you may long continue to. occupy the high position that for. so many years you. have -held-with honourrto yourself and rndvahtage to the House.”

[Pee Press Association.] ' June 29In his farewell address to the electors of Waihemo the Hon J. M’Kenzie says': “ You will easily .understand the regret I feel in giving up Waihemo. From the day I, first entered public life,' now nearly thirty years ago, I have been associated with no other district than yours. Every public position I have held in local, provincial, or general politics has been by your suffrages, and' if I have done any good for New Zealand it is you who have given me the opportunity. . Whatever office I have, asked you for that was in your power to give, you have always given me, and at the last general election, when-1 was too ill to contest the seat, you crowned your goodness by , returning me unopposed. They are expressions of confidence of which any man may well be proud, and which I shall never forget.”