SOCIAL TO MR. JOHN STEVENS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8825, 17 March 1909, Page 7

SOCIAL TO MR. JOHN STEVENS.

At Marton last night. Mr John Stevens, ex-member for Manawatu, was the guest at a complimentary social tendered to him by his supporters. Dr. Skerman presided and the Premier, Messrs Newman and Remington, M's.P., Hornsby, ex-M.P., R. K. Simpson (chairman of the Rangitikoi County Council), J. A. Bailoy, A. C. Buchanan, J. E. Walker (chairman Bulls Town Board), J. M. A'Court (Wellington Land Board), and F. Purnell were amongst those present. The chairman, in welcoming tho Premier, observed that the company present represented all shades of politics in the constituency, which was in keeping' with Mr Stevens' practise of dropping anything like political feeling after an election. The chairman proposed tho toast of "The Parliament of New Zealand." In the course of a reply the Premier said lie was glad to inform them that on the financial side the people of Now Zealand had nothing to fear. Everything was strong in this respect for a very long time ahead. Many were complaining of tho stringency of tho time, but New Zealand had come through much worse times than these, times when they had all their eggs in one basket. Some would rccollcct those conditions, when thev 'were boiling down sheep and giving them away. The one thing they had to depend on then was wool. Now there wore very few men who were dopending on one product. They were going in for mixed farming. Surely they were not going to say they had not the same courage and hope and faith in their country in every direction. _ There vere most postive signs of the increasing practical wealth of the people. The Premier then proposed the health of Mr Stevens. lie said their guest had been engaged in public life for the past 28 years and after the lapse of that period he held the rcspect of people of all parties. No one had shown himself better able to take a defeat or had shown more Spartan bravery under affliction. During the time ho was in Parliament he had made friends on all sides of tho House. He had not left an enemy bohind him in the political world. They wished him better health than to-day and they knew that that splendid spirit which had upheld him would continue to do so. (Applause.) Tho toast having been honoured with much enthusiasm, the Premier presented Mr Stevens with a eulogistic address from the electors of Manawatu. Replying Mr Stevens said that though defeated neither he nor his supporters were dismayed. There were always two sides to every question, and opposition was the moans of bringing to light the sterling worth of those who sacrificed their time and lives to what they regarded as the best interests of the country. Ho hoped Mr Newman would be supported as ho had been in tho past till next election came round, when ho hoped they would rally round tho Liberal candidate next time "and bring tho Manawatu back to the Liberal fold. Ho.had been asked to clo various things since tho election, but he would not come between their present member and the Government. He would, if asked, do anything he could to help Mr Newman, but he would strictly observe the etiquette which should be observed towards the member for the district. ' A number of other toasts were honoured, Messrs Remington, R. K. =Simpsqn. Hornsby, Read and Newman all joining in eulogising Mr Stevens. Mr Newman said ho welcomed Mr Stevens' offer of co-operation. They*had been good friends and remained so. He did not believe Mr Stevens made one enemy during the election, and could voucii for the esteem in which he was held everywhere. Mr Newman described Mr Stevens as having been tho finest judge of stock in the southern half of the North Island, a splendid horseman, and a fine soldier, worthy to be associated with that splendid old soldier Colonel Gorton* with whom he had formed the firm of Stevens and Gorton.