MR T. MACKENZIE WILL CONTEST WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 30

MR T. MACKENZIE WILL CONTEST WAIKOUAITI.

At Palrnerston on Friday it was decided to call together on the following day gentlemen representing various portions of the Waikouaiti electorate for the purpose of coming to some decision regarding the future. Mr Thomas Mackenzie was telephoned for, and was met on his arrival on Saturday by a number of gentlemen. A meeting was then held, at which the member was not present, and after consultations its decision was then conveyed to him, which was that the gentlemen assembled desired Mr Mackenzie to reconsider his decision, and that tho meoting had unanimously decided to support him and do their iilmost to secure his return. Regarding policy and measures, they were prepared to trust implicitly to him, feeling assured that all his erforts wire directed to promoting and conserving all that was best in the interests of the permanent welfare of the colony. The fullest confidence was expressed in Mr Mackenzie, aud many complimentary things said.

Mr Mackenzie 6aid he really wished to withdraw from politics, but felt that in the face of tho many kind things that had been said, and in view of the honour and compliment that had been paid to him by the presence of such men as were at the meeting — gentlemen who on the short notice of 24 hoip-F had left their farms and bus ; nesees and had spontaneouelv and at their own pxp94i?r> come from Mahono on the north to VTa ; tati on the south, and also from the interior, to evwress their confidence and trust in him— left, only one course open, which was that lip would stand for the WaikciKiiti scat. If euch men as those present would stand by nim he would stand by thorn — (Loi'd applause ) Mr Mackenzie, continuing. s-a.'J (hat hp hoped soon to address the e'cetoii in s ovrvral centres, beginning with Pahnorstor; on Monday, the 19th inst., wlipn ho would deal fully with what he held <o be the- important concerns of tho colony. Ho roali^orl (hat much of the unrest in oon-'hiuerio'p-j was .duo to tha manner in whuli public monoy \iii>i voiod and expended, and fiat men wore being selected ;ir.d rctuni'cd to Pailiamcnt not because the e.lcc-tors eoibideved thorn tho most capabla, Lufc boc&iKS they hoped they might bring

more money to their districts. Personally ho had always held that while deserving 1 local requirements should have the fuliestr ~ care and attention from members, thera were other questions which in the long run were of vastly more importance. The farmers required watchdogs in ParliamentWhat a candidate might or might not promise on the hustings was not what should influpnoP' them wholly in their selection. First, they required men that they could! trust, in every emergency that might arise, and! that they folk confident could guard their interests — capable men who were quick to detect and prompt to check any cunning ur ignorant legislative measure that might bo introduced which, if thoughtlessly permitted to become law, might seriously affect them. The Referendum Bill was such a measare. Had the farmers noted who the chief men. were behind that movement, and were they aware that if it became law it could, and! would, soon be used to tho disadvantage and injury of the fanners? If, therefore, an influence existed which would, as it were, wedge itself between their representative system and the people, an influence that would divert the electors from the most capable of candidates to theser less capable, then a blow would be struck at their democratic form of government from which it might never recover. — (Applause.) After a few toasts had be.en honoured! tho meeting closed. The greatest enthusiasm) , prevailed,- and the gathering is .said to have been ore of the rao.st representative ever held in Palmerston