THE MIMSTER OF LANDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2855, 2 December 1908, Page 18

THE MIMSTER OF LANDS.

HIS FAREWELL TO THE PEOPLE OF WELLINGTON. CFeom Ovb. Own Conszspoiroxirr.) WELLINGTON, November! 25. The fact that Mr Hanam, M.P. for Invercargill, has arrived in Wellington, and that this afternoon he had a lengthy interview with Mr M'Nab, has led to some speculation as to whether the former will resign his seat with a view to giving the Minister of Lands another chance of reentering the House of Representatives. Against this idea there may be two objections. In the first plaoe', the Government would not by eueh a plan increase its ! majority, while, on the other hand, in the i event of a strong Opposition candidate coming forward it might even 'lose the seat. In the second place, Mr M'Nab himself may be the principal objector to the suggested course. He has stated to some of bis friends that he would like to put in two or three years in completing- the historical researches upon which he has embarked. With this object in view it was ■his intention to visit Sydney, and perhaps America, again. Speaking last night to the crowd in Lambton quay, Mr M'Nab made a manly speech, and the crowd in consequence cheered him heartily. "I stand before you to-night," he Baid. "in the position of being the only Minister who has been deI«ated at the polls. I want to say in connection with the contest that has" sent me back to private life that I have not a single complaint to make against the politi- j oal party or against the political opponents who are responsible for ther'position I now occupy. — (Applause.) My successful opponent fought an honourable fight, and obtained an honourable victory.— (Applause.) I want to give that testimony tp him, and I venture to prophesy that if his career in politics is equal to hts private life as a citizen and as a business man, he has a wide career of usefulness before him in the political world. At the end of 13£ years of public life the decision of the country is that I have to go back into private life, and I want to show the people of Wellington anc 1 the people of my electorate, as well as the people of New Zealand, that the Ministers of the Liberal party know how to take a defeat when it comes at the polls. — (Applause.) I have to thank the people of Wellington for the many kindnesses they have ehown to me during those 13i years, and I venture to say that, co far as I know, I have not made one single enemy in the Empire City, and that I leave behind me none but friends in the House of Representatives. — (Applause.) I desire, as the last act of my public life, to say farewell to a Wellington audience." — (Loud cheers.)

The- last sentence would seem to indicate that Mr M'Nab has, for the time at all events, retired from publio life. On the other hand, in replying to a message of regret from his supporters in Gore, he said, " Convey to those who were present my thanks for the kind expression of opinion in regard to myself personally and in regard to my future prospects. I shall always remember my 13£ years' connection with the Mataura electorate and the many friends I have made throughout that period, and shall take care that the abrupt termination of the relationship of members shall not break any friendships that have been created during that period. It is my earnest wish that, in rogard to the future, all electors of Mataura should join together and assist the new member in the onerous duties cast upon him, and not to let any soreness exist in the hour of defeat or" stand in the way of good work being done for the Mataura electorate by the representative of the people. What the future has in store for me, time will only show." The last sentence here might be taken to mean that Mr M-Nab i« not yet done with politics. Mr Hanan. in the event of his resigning his eeat in favour of Mr M'Nab, could, of course, be translated to " another plac9 ; "-