RETIREMENT FROM THE CLUTHA CONTEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2385, 23 November 1899, Page 12

RETIREMENT FROM THE CLUTHA CONTEST.

Mr Thomas Mackenzie, addressing a meeting of the Clutha electors at Waitepeka, on Thursday night, announced his retirement from the contest for 'that' constituency. -His reasons for standing," and the cau3o of his retirement, were Cully explained by him. As ho had stated, when he left to go Home to obtain some experience of the Home market, that he would return to contest the Clutha, he appeared in fulfilment of that promise, and ho was justified in expecting that he would be qualified, inasmuch as Parliament would expire by effluxion of time on tho 11th December, and llr Seddon had from then till abcut the 10th January available for the new

election. All previous elections he had been! connected with overlapped a considerable time. When he was elected in 1887 it was in September; that of 1593, in November; and that of 1£96 in December. The fact, however, is that Parliament was dissolved on the 15th November, and in all probability the election, would come on by the 6th December. In that case the writs would be issued about a day before he could be qualified. This was, of course, exceedingly disappointing, inasmuch as he had gone to very great expense and personal inconvenience to be in time to come there once more to stand for the seat, and he would have been in ample time had not the search, for the steamer Waikato, and tho breaking down of his steamer, the Papanui, occurred. He could not shut his eye 3to the fact that many politicians on both sides of tho House were unwilling to have him in Parliament, and that the bill to remove the absurd restrictions on colonists who have been absent from the colony, winch would have qualified him, was only supported in a half-hearted manner by an empty House. It did seem strange, however, that the writs should be issued just one day before he would be qualified. Just speaking for one moment on the impropriety of disqualifying citizens who go abroad in the interests of the country, if that practice is to be continued it would very seriously interfere with that investigation into* the conditions obtaining in other countries, , which was so essential to tho development of our resources. Personally he had never severed .his connection with New Zealand ; he had left his -five boys here ; ho never formed a Jiome abroad, and during his absence he continued to pay about £50 a-year in taxation, and yet

he was not supposed to be qualified to stand for Parliament. A .criminal may have committed the vilest -crime imaginable according to the laws of this colony, but immediately he got out of gaol ho could enrol himself as an elector, and become qualified to stand for Parliament. Surely as generous treatment might bo extended to those who went abroad to promoto the be3t interests of their,adopted country. If he remained in New Zealand he would certainly contest some seat, probably at some by-election, and he ventured to think that, although many of the politicians in New. Zealand might be desirous of keeping him oub of Parliament, the people of New Zealand themselves wanted his services. With regard to Hie Clutha constituency and the generous kindness he had leceived wherever he appeared, ho could only say that he could not find words to express the deep debt of gratitude he felt for their loyal and sincere support and encouragement. Probably the withdrawal of one candidate from the field might help to remove tho complication which at present seemed to exist through too many candidates standing on one side. Ho had from his first speech^there ondeavoured to arrange for' the withdrawal of one of those candidates, and had offered to retire if the mutual friends of the different candidates so decided. However, as the dissolution of Parliament would now in all probability preclude him from standing, it was perhaps as well that he should at once announce that that was probably the .last meeting he would address — afc any rale at the piesent time. He would al« wajjs carry with him the very happie3t recollections of his, political connection with. Clutha^ and of the genuine kindness he had received on so many occasions from the residents of that beautiful district. The Ilev. Mr Dalrymple said Mr Macken* zie's intimation had, con\o on him quite as a sliock. He greatly deplored the circumstances which necessitated Mr Mackenzie's retirement, and ho felt that ho but voiced the opinions of the people in tho district when he said that they highly valued a man of Mr Mackenzie's independent character and ability* Tho speech they had listened to that evening was one of the highest order that it had been their privilege to enjoy. It dealt with Imperial interests, which were intimately associated with the welfare of the colony —it was politics of a very high order — and he ventured to think, that in the near future many of th»' - questionH upon which Mr Mackenzie had touched would require investigation. at the hands of th^e Imperial Government, and of federated Australasia, because if tho colonies were to hold their own in tho competition of nations it was espential that these questions should be taken up and capably dealt with. Tho Chairman (Mr J. Lamond) endorsed every word which Mr Dalrymple had uttered. Personally ho regretted extremely the circumstances which deprived the Clutha of the candidature of Mr Mackenzie. It was apparent that means had been used to prevent his standing for a seat in Parliament. The people of tho colony, however, and especially the agriculturist^, wanted his services, as they recognised that he did not belong to the ordinary school of politicians. Mr Mackenzie's work had been practical ; he had obtained a thorough grasp of the proper handling and treat-

ment.of the produce of the colony in the markets of the world ; he had returned witli wellmatured plans to rectify many of the evils connected with our trade, and h"e was prepared to place those plans and his services freely at the disposal of the public.' The speaker ventured to think that ; <Mr Mackenzie would only be temporarily out of Parliament, and that the firpt by-election which occurred would show that the people of New Zealand would not be content to see her public- men treated as Mr Mackenzie had been, and that he would be returned to Parliament, and occupy a ccood position in that Parliament.

A motion expressing full confidence in Mi? Mackenzie and regret at his retirement was unanimously carried.

Many expressions of regret were heard from electors at the circumstances which necessitated Mr Mackenzie's withdrawal from the; contest.

Mr James Allen addressed a meeting of electors at Wangaloa, on. Wednesday evening, and met with an enthusiastic reoeption. Mr Sam- a son presided. Mr Allen's address was much,' on the lines of that given at Milton. After a few questions had been asked, and replied to satisfactorily, Mr John Haggart moved a. hearty votte of thanks to Mr Allen for his addreßS, and an expression of full confidence in him as a candidate for the representation of Bruce, which was seconded by Mr J. D. Brown, and carried unanimously. As his carriage rolled away, cheers were given for Mr Allen.

. Our Arrowtown Lakes correspondent telegraphs:—"Mr James Kelly, of Riversdale," gave an address at Queenstown on Thursday last, and at Arrowtown last Saturday. There Were good houses at both places, with a fair sprinkling of ladiea. Mr "Kelly is evidently now to public speaking,- and appeara to bo even more so to the politics of the day. Mr Kelly's platform disclosed nothing new or original. Votes of thanks and confidence were accorded to the speaker at both places. Mr Kelly is a pledged follower of Mr Seddon and tho present Government.

Tussicura, for coughs and colds; no house' should be without it. — Wholesale agents* Keuiplhorae* Prouaerj P._ Hayman and Oo>