COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15919, 3 May 1912, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL

MR AND MRS J. M'COMBS ENTERTAINED. Mr J. M'Combs, who was an unsuccessful candidate for tho Avon seat at the general election, was entertained at a complimentary social at tho Rolleston Street Hall, . Liiiwood. last evening by members of his election committee and others of his supporters. Tho Major (Mr H. Holland) presided and there was a large attendance. The chairman,' in his introductory remarks, said there was ample room in tho New Zealand Parliament tor men of the ability and energy of Mr j.U' Combs, and the speaker bad little doubt that Mr ivl'Coiiibs would attain a seat in Parliament in the near future. It was well that they should meet together to cio honour to men whoso lives both public and private reached the high standard set by their guest that evening. Mr L. M. Isitt, • M.F., said Mr M'Combs was one of his closest and most honoured friends, ahu one who had stood shoulder to shoulder with him in what he regarded as the most important fight of his iife. _. The speaker did not care if he was considered a man with so narrow an outlook that he had but one idea. He was emphatic that if the drink traffic could be driven out of New Zealand more good would be accomplished than could be, compassed by all the politicians iu New Zealand. The speaker had not been enthusiastic aoout entering politics, but once he was in tho battle ho became very enthusiastic indeed. He would prophecy that Mr M'Combs would soon be able to add the letters " M.P. " after his name. New Zealand needed such men in Parliament New Zealand's greatest political need was legislators of high personal integrity and honour, irrespective of which party's cause they espoused. New Zealand wanted every political party in tho country represented in Parliament by the best men such parties could find; The man who entered an election campaign with ability and a .capacity for thinking need not consider his time wasted if he was defeated. Such a man would havo a strong educative influence on all who heard him, and this ha'd certainly been the case so far as Mr M'Combs was concerned. Mr M'Combs was no/t only intensely true? to his own convictions but he was able to recognise tho right of other people to their own convictions, a rare faculty in a politician. Mr H. Langford said Mr M'Combs. was a man whose single-heartedness and purity of purpose no one could doubt. He was a man with a mission, and it was to be hoped_ that in the near future he would attain a. seat in Parliament and enter that larger sphere of political life for which he was so well fitted.

The Rev 11. S. Gray spoke in a humorous vein, and recommended Mr M'Combs to try personal canvassing in his next electoral campaign, as he felt sure his cheerful, cherubic visage would win him many votes. In the interests of Mr M'Combs and the party he and the speaker represented an early dissolution of Parliament was the political event to hope for Speaking moro seriously, Mr Gray said that prohibition was still the greatest national question New Zealand had to settle. This question must be put before party politics if It was to come to a : speedy settlement. Mr M'Combs had a broad outlook on general politics, arid would very worthily and sanely represent any constituency in Parliament: Mr D. G. Sullivan said that probably all those present were quite agreed that Mr M'Combs was a very fine fellow. The speaker was not going to subscribe to that general opinion until Mr M'Combs joined the party of which the speaker was a member, and, then he would be willing to admit that he was the finest fellow in the world. Putting jokes aside, Mr M'Combs s honesty of purpose and high ideals must win the respect of everyone, ""res- | pective of their political faith. Iho measures which Mr M'Combs advocated for the betterment of the workers were identically those that the speaker had most at heart, and he hoped that before long Mr M'Combs and other high-principled and intelligent men of the same stamp would join forces with the Labour Party, and that that party would also gain the active aid of thousands of persons of what was called the middle class. • ' , Mrs Herbert thanked i the members of Mr M'Combs's election comniitteo for the work they had done in the recent campaign, and on behalr ot his friends and supporters presented Mr M'Combs with a handsome autograph album, containing the names ot those who were pledged to work hard in his interests in the next campaign, bho also presented Mrs M'Combs with a hand-bag, as a token of the esteem and respect with which she was regarded Mr M'Combs, in responding, said he had been congratulated on the good h>ht ,a had out up for the Avon seat, but it credit wa/due to his committee Onlv 140 votes were required at the last polite turn the tide m his avour He was sorry for his defeat on aCount of those who had worked so hard to secure his return, more sorry than he was on his OTTO account. DeafinTwith -oncral politics, Mr M'Combs S i Iw the Liberal Party, which had Elected to do many things it should have done when it had a big majority, as now, with a small majority anxou, to do thoso things A more proOU v' of the Land for EHSiK* was urgently needed. Therfwere hundreds of people anxious inert J» B * +ll6 i a .] K L and they should u' et the opportunity. Proportional Cesentotfon was a necessary reform represent Jd fairf bcf f >he people. The graduated land ! ent ii„M bo increased, so as to make X Stable to ocupy large holdings. &SKK anumber of Liberal editors 5 Ilitirians who were quoting Br [, ??4rS"treatise on the cost of ties in order to prove' that theino .. ensed - n cost * Jhmd Dr M'llwraith would New i much stirprisell at such a use !'°. of his work. • The Govern"ein? cl.nnld encourage and make proment s ' , P." the stlK lv of economics. Dp SnSrSh. i« his book, pointed cut Pi hortcomings of gold as a standard f values, and a standard of exchange, (

and it would be necessary in tho future to devise the ideal standard of exchange. The study of economic science would be necessary to equip the Labour leaders and other political leaders to face such problems. Dealing with tho " bare majority" question. Mr M Combs announced, amidst applause, that tho Hon G. W. Russell was a convert to the 55 per cent majority proposal. In. conclusion Mr M'Combs thanked his friends for the very acceptable gift which had just been handed to] him, and for the complimentary remarks mnele concerning him. Mrs M'Combs also 'briefly returned thanks, and expressed her pleasure at the many evidences that the enthusiasm shown in the campaicn was not dead.

"For They are Jolly Good Fellows" was then heartily sung. _ An attractive programme of musical items was interspersed with the speeches, and after supper had been served dances and games were held.