MR- PALMER AND IILS CONSTITUENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11887, 12 February 1902, Page 5

MR- PALMER AND IILS CONSTITUENTS.

[BY LEGE A PIT.OWN* CORRESPONDENT.] Paeroa, Tuesday. M«. Jackson Palmer, M.H.R. for Ohinemttri, met the Paeroa portion of his constituents last night with a view to ascertaining the opinion of the electors on his probable departure for South Africa as a captain in the Ninth Contingent. Mr. C. Colclough presided. Mr. Palmer referred to the work of the past session. In discussing the depression which existed lie put it down to tightness of money on the Home market, caused by the war in South Africa. The dairying industry, he said, was expanding very fast and he was pleased that such a well-established butter factory _ now existed at Paeroa. He concluded his address by referring to the war in South Africa and to the action of the Parliamentary representatives in sanctioning the despatch of the contingents. He said that as he did not believe in shedding the last drop of his brother's blood' unless he was willing to go to the front himself, he had offered himself and obtained a commission. There were over 60 of his constituents at the front, and he thought that if ho wore there too he could look after them and tondei advice when necessary. Ho 'placed himself in the hands of the electors and was willing to do what was best. Several questions were asked and answered, after which Mr. James Maeky said that Mr. Palmer had performed his onerous duties in Parliament so faithfully that the electorate could not now spare him. Ho moved, "That Mr. Palmer's valuable services could not be dispensed with and his absence would be detrimental to tho interests of this constituency." Mr. Vt . Forrest seconded the motion. Mr. Aiisenne then moved, as an amendment, "That as the Government has promised to seo that Ohinemuri was not neglected during tho absence of its representative, and that the Auckland members had offered to attend to Ohinernuri's wants, this meeting approves of Mr. Palmer going to South Africa with the Ninth Contingent." Mr. Cock seconded. He said that as' Mr. Socldon ruled the colon> it did not matte; whether Ohinernuri's representative went to the front or stayed behind. He paid a tribute to Mr. Palmer's patriotism, after which a show of hands was taken, and the Chairman announced that the amendment, giving Mr. Palmer permission to go to South Africa was carried by 90 to 20. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.