SOCIAL AT WYNDHAM. COMPLIMENT TO MR RAYMOND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2404, 29 March 1900, Page 21

SOCIAL AT WYNDHAM. COMPLIMENT TO MR RAYMOND.

WYNDHAM, March 21,

A complimentary social was tendered to Mr 1. W. Raymond, who contested the Mataura Isoat against Mr M'Nab, M.H.R., to-night. It was preceded by a political address by Mr James Allen, M.H.R. Mr Raymond's large grain store was filled to the doors, about 300 being present. Mr James "Walker, chairman of the Town Board, presided, and on the platform were Mr Raymond, Mr C. O. Lewis, M.H.R. , and several prominent residents of the district. Mr Allen criticised the speech delivered by the Premier at Wyndham a" short time ago, and denounced the practice of the Premier in taking credit for every beneficial reform and measure put on the Statute Book. Mr Seddon did not introduce the Women's Franchise Bin, and did not support it till it became necessary to do so by pressure of public opinion. The Premier also boasted of the exemption of improvements. When the exemption "of improvements was first before the House it was favoured by the Opposition, and there voted against it the Hons. J. Carroll, J. M'Kenzie, W. P. Reeves Seddon, Ward, and Ballance. That was in 1892. There was only half truth in the Premier's statement, and only when pressure was pul on him did he exempt improvements. Mr Seddon said the exports of 1890 were equal to the exports of 1898, in order to accuse the Opposition Government of bringing about the poverty of people by bad government. If the Premier's figures were taken as true, why had the boasted prosperity of the country not increased the exports? There had, however, been an increase of £900,000, and it should have been far larger. Had the Opposition been given a chance,^ he ventured to say their policy would have produced a much greater increase. The prosperity claimed by the Premier commenced when Mr Seddon was not in power. People were called upon, by Sir Harry Atkinson* to retrench, and they put forth every effort, with the result that in three years the exports rose from £6,500,000 to £9,500.000. As always happened, those compelled to face hard times and economise received no credit when their efforts, brought about a better state of things. Another factor was the expenditure of borrowed money. When Sir Harry Atkinson took office, £1,500,000 \>as being expended, and he reduced the amount to £398,000. Now it had risen again to nearly £150,000 per annum. The policy with regard to the railway concessions, freights, and fares, and dairying- that Mr Seddon claimed as peculiarly his own was that of the Opposition also, and the Opposition had it more at heart. Land settlement was also paraded by the Government, but figures showed that it had not been sue- 1 cessful. In the year 1592 there were supposed to be 828 selectprs under special settlements associations occupying 187,000 acres. In 1897 under this scheme five selectors took up 44-2 acres, and in 1898 five selectors took up 607 acres ; but between 1892 and March 31, 1899, it was said that 1780 selectors took up 350,000 acres. The Tear Book showed that on March 31, 1899, the number of selectors ■was 715, who held 133,000 acres. He wanted to know what had become of the difference. The speaker then quoted the Year Book, showing that there were 204-0 surrenders and forfeitures during 1898-9. These settlers had surrendered or forfeited because they could not pay the rents. The Government charged rent that did not permit of a settler paying his way and making a living. The Opposition were not opposed to the purchase of land for settlement, and they believed that land should be acquired if it were beneficial to the people, but it should be given to them at the lowest possible rental. The Opposition had saved the freehold. He quoted the following words used by the Hon. John M'Kenzie: "I shall take care that while I am head of the department that trie freehold shall be kept out." He (Mr Allen) believed the people wanted the freehold. — (Applause.) The Premier at Wyndham only referred to the laud and inoome tax, but he said nothing about the insidious increase of customs, which increased the cost of living and more than counterbalanced the vaunted increase in workmen's wages. If workmen got out of work now. they Etill had to pay for high customs, and were worse off than before. The only xeal benefit to be bestowed on the people was the cheaper cost of necessaries. He denounced the acxion of the Premier in taking £1,742,000 from the Savings Banks and Government Insurance at 3 per cent, at par. It had embarrassed the Insurance department and accounted for the Premier's boasted borrowing at a cheap rate. ' The Premier could not have got the money on the market at such terms. He concluded hy regretting the loss of such men as the Hon. Mr Rolleston, Messrs Dutliie, Buchanan, and tScobie Mackenzie. The Opposition had a duty to perform, and would do it. They vould see that the burden put on the people would not be more than they could bear when "\ imes of trouble came. They would put land tor settlement on an equitable footing, see technical education introduced, the civil service and the Upper House reformed. The Premier took credit for everything except the decreasing birth rate and the increasing crime. The Opposition, though small in number, would do their duty, and he felt certain that the time would come when popular opinion would change, and the people would recognise the work the Opposition had done, and they would find their reward, to which they were justly entitled. The desire of the Opposition was to see the country prosperous, the people levelled up (not down), justice done, and the greatest good to the greatest number. Referring to the war, those now parading patriotism and loyalty once favoured an elective Governor. He knew the temper of the House when he first entered Parliament, and it was then prepared to cut the tpainter of the elective Governor. This was the thin edge of the wedge, but the Opposition opposed that, and wore justified to-day. The country would realise one day who had foreseen the future most clearly, and been most faithful. — (Loud applause.) The speaker was very clopely followed throughout, his remarks being frequently interrupted by applause. A vote of thauks, moved by Mr Geo. Crosbie, and seconded by Mr Alex. Beange, was carried unanimously by acclamation. "God Save the Queen " was heartily sung, and the gathering then adjourned to Taylor's Hall, where a social evening was spent. Short addresses were delivered by Messrs Jas. Allen and 0. C. Lewis, M.H.R. 's, and the guef-t of the evening (Mr I. W. Raymond). A capital musical programme was provided, and altogether it [Was a most enjoyable function.

At the clo=e of the political address by Mr 'James Allen at Wyndham on Wednesday evening, a complimentary social was tendered to Mr K&ymond. Proceedings were

protracted to a late hour. Mr Taylor's hall, in which the gathering was held, capable of containing three to four hundred, • was crowded with ladies and gentlemen. The chairman of the local Town Board — Mr James Walkei — presided, supported by the truest of the evening on tho one hand and Messrs Allen and Lewis. M.H.R. 's, and representative local gentlemen on the other. Comestibles having been disposed of, the chairman read letters of apology from the chairman of the Southland Education Board and the chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board. Both communications referred to Mr Raymond as a valued member of their institutions. Othei communications, couched in similar terms, were read from prominent parties in and around the district. Mr Peter Todd moved, and Mr James Gait seconded — " This meeting wishes to express its appreciation of the public spirit Mr Raymond exhibited in contesting Mataura election, and the manner in which he acquitted himself ; its regret that greater success did not attend his endeavoiirs, as also the hope that on some future occasion he may succeed." — (Applause.) The mc^er, seconder, and other gentlemen spoke at length in support. Mr Lewis, in particular, made a strong party-political speech, which excited close attention. He gave an insight into the shady side of parliamentary life. He counselled them to bear the facia in remembrance against next election, in which they as an electorate might be involved. Mr Lewis also worked out the theory of malpractice in elections. He particularly denounced the man who met them with t'^e statement that he took no interest in politics. Such men exercised a baneful influence on the net results. They enabled unworthy and designing men to creep into politics, who, if they were properly alive to their duty, would never see the inside of Parliament. The speaker's review of the political situation and outlook was able and trenchant, and on resuming his seat the, close attention of the audience found expression in a hearty round of cheers.

Mr Allen also spoke briefly in support of the motion.

Mr Raymond, who was greeted with applause, having clippo<*ccl of the graver aspects of the late election contest, gave a- happy and in every respect jaunty account of his personal experiences as a defeated candidate. Nothing in life staggered him more. He had gone into the contest early, and gone around diligently. The promise? and pledges of support lie got were overwhelming. When he totalled them, up he could have sworn he would be returned al the head of any given number of polk. Alas for tho frailties of human nature ! — he found himself unable to climb even one. — (Laughter and applause.) He had noted their expressions of opinion that evening with much satisfaction, and assured them that when circumstances and situations proved otherwise favourable these expressions would not be lost sight of. — (Applause.) Properly appreciated, an unsuccessful candidature was an educational factor. That at all events was the effect exercised on him. It, i aught him that if a man was to be worth his salt he must be prepared for hard knocks. He had been 15 years amongst them, and during that time had done a creat deal of work in their public service. He snoke without prejudice when he said that had been his experience. Still it had not been lost on him, and, if time and opportunity so' willed it, he would prove to their satisfaction such had indeed been the case. In resuming his seat he thanked them for the motion recorded on his behalf.

In the course of the proceedings a variety of musical selections were discoursed, and the customary patriotic ebullitions allowed to escape. The gathering dispersed an hour after midnight.