MR. C. LEWIS RESIGNATION OF HIS SEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11690, 27 June 1901, Page 6

MR. C. LEWIS RESIGNATION OF HIS SEAT.

There having been a considerable amount of criticism of Mr. Lewis' first statement of his reason for resigning his seat, that gentleman has sent a fuller explanation to the Lyttelton Times. He says: — " I never wanted to enter Parliament. In 1890 and 18S3 I refused to stand for seats which were, apparently, easier to win and less troublesome to hold than Christchurch. The reason for my refusal I will explain later on. But I sought to discharge some of the duties of citizenship by taking part in the work of organisation, acting as secretary to Mr. Holiest on's committee in 1890, and subsequently becoming a working member of the National Association. When the retirement of Mr. Reeves became imminent 1 was one of a small majority who decided that the election must be fought. Fearing lest the resolution might be rescinded, I forced the situation by informing the papers that we were going to light the seat. Naturally, I was one of the three appointed to find the candidate. This we failed to do. Having compromised the situation, I was simply bound to redeem it by becoming a. candidate. This I did, stipulating, however, that my (unsuccessful) candidature should relieve me of all responsibilities for some years. I confess I entered upon the fight light-heartedly enough, but 1 was very speedily sobered by the spectacle of a number of men and women working hard and earnestly, night and day, to assert their principles, and I swere a mighty oath that they should have ■a fair chance, and that I would never let them down.

" For four years I did what in me lay to keep that vow. "In addition to discharging my duty to my constituent'", I lost no opportunity of. as it were, keeping the business together in the interests of my political companions and associates. At the end of that time, however. I found, at the election of 1899, that the enthusiasm of 18S6 was dead and gone. The situation had lost all interest for me ; it contained no incentive, am! 1 retired. For reasons; which I need not enter into, I was induced to re-enter the field, but, taking my tone from others, 1 went through the contest, without the slightest spirit, and. finally, went to Wellington last vear feeliny that I had some 20,000 constituents, whose interests must be attended to, but practically no comrades or associates. Let me add to this the fact that no one has accused me of neglecting my duties

" Our Parliamentary system demands, and is based upon, the physical prostration of (ho weaker side. Important, debatable, and questionable legislation is deliberately withheld until men who have lived for three months in a hot-house are unable to offer effective resistance. Then the House is made to sit till daylight, and Bills are shovelled through. A strong Opposition.

can, in a measure:, prevent this by giving the Administration a taste of then own medicine,but 17 men are powerless against 55. At (he end of a session a man i.-, so limp, enerated, and run down, that he in liable to siller severely from attacks which ordinarily he could shake off. At the end of the .se.-t'ai of 18S9, Captain Russell lay for some tine between life and death. Lastyear he fjiukly left the Houso at twelve each night; Mi, .lames Allen succumbed to an attack, from which he has not yet recovered ; n the seat in front of me I saw Mr. Mont growing gradually weaker and more frail,till one day his seat was vacant, and the doctor's carriage waited at his gate. After stit'Hng to it long as ] could I left for my hone, where 1 spent the last week of the sessii i in bed -. nor did I regain my strength ;i> quiekiy as I could have wished." "My lesson for refusing to enter politics was the f.ct that my family history was of a nature ta render it extremely improbable that I cdikl stand the physical strain. Each of ny first [our sessions left me weak and niisc-nble. The fifth one knocked ma out. "I ha'dlr expected that everyone of the 6340 people who sent nit to Wellington to do their work would attend my meeting, but whet something more than 99j per cent, of them absented themselves I felt that I really w.s at last entitled to ask myself the rjueston, which I now submit to" my judges: 'Under all the circumstances, am 1 under an; obligation to remain in politics at the hiding and on behalf of those who, in the sane cause, refuse to leave their firesides on tie night in the year?' Mv answer is kiuwi!. Its propriety will lie"most hotly dispued by those most 'responsible for it."'