MR THOMAS MACKENZIE AT HERBERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14156, 7 March 1908, Page 5

MR THOMAS MACKENZIE AT HERBERT.

Mr T. Mackenzie met his constituents at Herbert on Wednesday evening, Mr W. Robertson presiding. The speaker explained with regret the failure to retain the present South Island representation, and other matters. The Rev. Mr M'lvor, in on' eloquent speech, moved—"That this meeting having heard Mr Mackenzie's speech on the leading questions of'the day, tenders him it? sincere thanks, and also expresses approval of the attitude ho has taken up politically, and its continued confidence in him as their representative in l , arliament,"-(Loud applause). In moving the motion Mr M'lvor said Mr Mackenzie was a member quite beyond tho ordinary representative, and perhaps with the exception of tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) and the Leader of tho Opp:s;tion (Mr Massey) no public man was more listened to titan Mr Mackenzie. The fact that he had been so freely criticised by leading newspapers and keen oleervcrs was a tribute to Mr Mackenzie. They had listened that night to a very able address, showing a strong grip not only of the questions affecting the colonies, but of the Empire. What they required in pub'io men was fearless honesty, go, grit, erip, and gumption, and all these qualifications wero to bo found in Thomas Mackenzie, of whom the district was proud, and ho sincerely hoped Parliament would not lose his services. These remarks were so well received by the meeting that tho chairman said it was unnecessary to have a seconder.