HON. T. MACKENZIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 53

HON. T. MACKENZIE.

AUCKLAND CHARACTERISTICS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, May 26. During the recent visit of the Hon. Mr Mackenzie to Auckland, the Minister lost no opportunity of saying pretty things about this " last, loneliest, loveliest" city. Indeed, Mr Mackenzie has been lavish in his praise. His latest encomiums were poured out in the course of a harbour trip, to which the members of the Harour Board regaled him yesterday. The enthusiastic chairman of the board, in proposing the toast of the Minister, had just remarked that Auckland was, he believed, the most abused district in New Zealand. It was always trying to grab all the plums that it could possibly obtain, and in view of tins he was glad to have the opportunity of showing the Minister what the board itself wis doing. " One likes the spring and go about Auckland," said Mr Mackenzie' in the course of his reply, " and I advise you to keep going even if you are getting the reputation, as Mr Gunson remarked, of trying to get everything you can seize." — (Laughter.) I belong to a clan called the Maokenzia, which has, the reputation of " oollaring" every thing that has four legs, and it is said' that we would take a haystack if it had four legs.—(Laughter.) " Never you mind what people say about you," the Minister went on. " Take everything you can get. You have got the land, you have got the harbour, and it" you go on as you are going now you cannot go far wrong." Mr A. E. Glover, M.P. : It will not be my fault if we don't.—(Laughter.)

Mr Mackenzie : No, it will not. If Auckland had many more members in Parliament like Mr Glover a Minister's life would not be worth living. He is always keeping at us in the interests of Auckland.—(Laughter.) And now on top of all these little pats on the back comes the significant news that a deputation of Government supporters has asked Mr Mackenzie to stand for one of the extra northern seats in the event ofMhe census rearrangement of boundaries wiping out his present constituency.

AN INVITATION TO THE MINISTER.

AUCKLAND, May 26. The Hfcm. Thomas Mackenzie, when waited upon by a deputation of Government supporters who asked him in the event of Taieri being cut out by the redistribution of electorates to contest a northern seat ; said it was only fair to his constituents of Taieri to take no action until the electorate was actually cut out. In any case he would do nothing until he discussed the position with his colleagues.