PRESENTATION TO MR HERDMAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13693, 8 September 1906, Page 10

PRESENTATION TO MR HERDMAN

CFroii Quit Qwn Correspondent.)

■ WELLINGTON, September 7. After the House adjourned this ufternoon members of tho Opposition met in Mr Massey's room lo take part in a presentation to Mr Herdman from his supporters'in'the Mount Ida constituency; Tho presentation took the form of £60 worth of law books for Mr Hcrdman's library, 'and a valuable present, suitably inscribed, for Mrs Herdmitn. A delegation from the 'subscribers had come all the way from Mount Ida district to make the presentation.

The Leader of tho Opposition, .in a brief speech, said that Mr Herdman had been one of the ablest and strongest men in the last. Parliament—("Hear, hear.") Ho was on© of thoso strong, straightforward, and ablo men who, unfortunately for tho colony, wore loft out at the last elections. Ho (Mr Massey), however,' hoped the time would come whdn -Mr Herdman would again offer his services to tho colony — ((Applause.) And if he did ho ventured to say that Mr Herdman would bo again returned to Parliament. He was glad to noto that tho people' of Mount. Ida had so appreciated his faithful services even to the extent :of Bondinz a delegation from distant Nascby to Wellington in order to mako a presentation to t.lipjr lato member. Ho could go further, and say that the peoplo all over tho colony appreciated the faithful services he had rendered in Parliament. Their party had been beaten at the last election, and beaten badly, but; they wero only defeated by superior organisation on tho part of thoso in power—by the use of public funds for party purposes, and by misrepresentations. They had, however, fought a straight figlit, and though beaten, wero not disgraced, and the greatest complimcnf that could be paid them was the fact that during tho past few days the present Government had appropriated several of the principles enunciated by the Opposition but opposed strenuously by the individuals now in powor.—("Hear, hear.") Mr Kirbv,- who had come down from Kasoby specially to attend the fuuetion, said that in Mount Ida Mr Herdman was recognised and -esteemed even by his opponents as a man of character and ability, and that beinif so his supporters thought it right arid fitting to make him this small presentation. He paid a very high compliment to Mr Herdman in mentioning how much he was esteemed in the M unt Ida district, eyen though ho had loft it for some years. .They all hoped he would again come forward and take a prominent part in the politics of 'this colony.—(Applause.)

Mr Scott, another of Mr Hcrdman's supporters from the Mount Ida district, said ho regarded that gathering as a great compliment not only to Mr Herdman, but also to the district that had sent that gentleman to Parliament. He endorsed all that had been said in regard to Mr Herdinan's political career, and he wished to speak of him as a,man. He assured thoso present that while Mr Herdman was amoiigst them .those..who had' tho honour of his

friendship liked him more and. more every, day. It was his genuineness and his manner and character, above all tilings, "u « "ppealed lo them.—( Vp'plause.) Mr Herdman, • who was received with loud applause, responded in a. feelii> speech. He, however, said he felt sure I-L , , ' lassoy a,ld Mussrs Scott and Jurby had greatly over-estimated the value of Ins services. Ho felt that he had been hampered through • having to carry on his business as woll as his political obligations, and no man could do the two' things properly. Ho had come to the conclusion that it was only men of means, or those 1 who could not earn £300 a year otherwise' who could afford to go in for politics hi tins country, and he did not happen to belong to either of these classes, so it might be some considerable time before ho could re-enter political life. He returned sincerest thanks, both on his own and on Mrs Herdman s behalf. Mr John Duthio and Mr James Allen bawng also spoken enthusiastic terms o hi" and .° f the oll " l 'isiaam cf his late supporters, the presentation vm July made ,„d the gathering dispersed