ACCLAIMING A MEMBER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9976, 13 November 1895, Page 4

ACCLAIMING A MEMBER.

So far as we have seen, only one of the seventy-four members of the House of Representatives had the honour of a public reception on his return to his constituents. We have not observed the •slightest disposition to congratulate any of our Auckland members. Everybody seemed too much disgusted with the whole business to have any idea even of evincing their displeasure. The solitary exception was Mr. J. W. Kelly, the Liberal member for Invercargill, who was welcomed at the railway station by a largo assemblage, including many of his former opponents, and who was escorted by a band to the Rotunda, where lie was presented by the Mayor with an address, expressing high appreciation of the manner in which he had discharged his duties. In the evening he was entertained at a social gathering, the largest that had ever taken place in Invercargill. One would have thought that all this gratulation would have been reserved for Mr. J. G. Ward, the powerful man of the district, and a Minister. It is natural to look # with deep interest to see what it is that has caused Mr. Kelly to be so conspicuous an exception to his fellow-members. Why should he, out of so many, be selected for demonstrations of respect and affection 1 What has lie done during the session that he should receive such exceptional honours? Mr. Kelly did not leap into a foremost position as a statesman or a debater; he did not prove himself capable as a great party leader. The truth is, that lie has been received with all these honours by the constituency generally because he dared to be independent, and to vote against the Government when he thought they were wrong. Mr. Kelly in his speech at the social gathering, said that party government was the greatest curse New Zealand was at present labouring under. No system of government ought to be tolerated in a young country which would compel a member to vote to keep a party in power when he believed they were doing wrong. This was done in every session of Parliament; and not only that, but the Premier often, at his own sweet will, declared an adverse resolution to bo one of no-confidence, and' demanded that the Government's adherents should suppovt them, We beg to call the attention of some of our own mombers to this most noticeable event at Invercargill. Perhaps if Mr. F. Lawry or Mr. T. Thompson had voted on occasion in accordance with their convictions, instead of according to the demands of the Premier, they might have had a triumphal reception at the railway itation and a social gathering at the City Hall. But they preferred to vote, to give an instance, in favour of. the treaties which would have been such serious injury to Auckland. _ They liavo lost the triumphal reception which they might have received if they had declined to obey the Ministerial mandate.; but perhaps they have an adequate compensation. We may remark, in conclusion, that the reception at Invercargill isa curious comment .on the threat made by the Premier that if gentlemen who had been elected as members of the Liberal party did not vote as he directed, he would take care that they were ousted at the next general election. Mr. Kelly seems to have seoured his seat 'flying in Mr. Seddon's face.