Complimentary Social to Mr J W. Kelly, M.H.R.

Southland Times, Issue 13672, 6 February 1897, Page 2

Complimentary Social to Mr J W. Kelly, M.H.R.

There was a very large attendance in the Temperance Hall yesterday evening, when a social was tendered to Mr J. W. Kelly by his political supporters. Ladies were present in greater force than is usual on such occasions, and altogether about 150 must have sat down to the richly loaded tables. The proceedings throughout were marked by a hearty enthusiasm and cheerfulness that made the gathering S most enjoyable one. Mr A. Raeside occupied the ehair and called on the Mayor, Mr J;A. Hanan, to propose the loyal toast. After a capital speech from Mr Hanan the chairman rose to propose “ Our Guest. ” Mr Raeside said he had to inflict a few remarks on his hearers but did not think he would be able to do his subject justice. Mr Kelly stood in a unique position as regarded Invercargill. He was now in his third term of office as the town’s representative. When a man held a position for that long time there must have been something at the bottom of it; he was satisfied that the reason was that the people wanted a worker, a practical man, to represent them. It was no use talking about a fine command of language and that sort of thing: that was not the main point. When a man got to Parliament the eyes of the people were on him and every action of his was judged by the people. Mr Kelly had nad the courage of his opinions and had done what he considered right. The people of Invercargill had evidently thought it right also for they bad returned Mr Kelly to his old position. He was returned in 1890 to support the Government, and by his action in turning against them ho had nothing to gain and everything to lose. But Mr Kelly had to draw the line s 'Diewhere. The present Government had done much good to the country. Mr Seddon was a good man ; so was Mr MoKenzie; so were they all. But Mr Seddon had got power inti his own hands and was determined to keep it and did things that they could notagree with. Mr Kelly had differed from them and tho people of his constituency had stood by him. He was better as an adverse criticiser than as a “ butterer,” and would only say of Mr Kelly that he had much pleasure in asking them to drink his health.—(Applause.) Mr Kelly, on rising to reply, was greeted with rounds of applause. He said he was afraid that the many kind words spoken of him that night were undeserved. No doubt his position in being returned three successive times was a unique one. On his first session old members advised him to make hay while the sun shone as he would never see the inside of the House again, and indeed Invercargill had been noted for not returning the same member twice. But he had replied that his constituency had a good man and would keep him—he had said that because he was afraid no one else would. No one who had any feeling of proper appreciation could feel anything but pride in occupying a position similar to his. He would refer to the extraordinary statement made by Mr Sinclair at his banquet: “ that Mr Kelly did not represent the Liberals of Invercargill.” It might be an old-fashioned idea, but he thought thatthemomenta man was elected he became the representative of every single person in his constituency. If Mr Sinclair’s statement was not due to the. good 'stuff supplied by Mr Johnson it should be ranked second to the X rays as a wonderful dis-, covery of the nineteenth century. For that matter there was no one in New Zealand who could distinguish between [Liberal and Conservative relative to New Zealand politics, The parties here were the “ins” and

the “outs,” and the efforts of the .“ins" were all to stay in and of the outs to nub the “ins” out, which would always Bo the case as long as our present vile system existed. He had been branded as a “ Tory.” This was nonsense. He would quote from the manifesto issued by the labsur party in New South Wales and on which they intended to run the next election. Some of the planks were “one house of legislature”; “ one adult vote j “payment, of members”; “elective ministers” ; and the referendum.” These he had supported since 1890, hence the present labour party in New South Wales were a bundle of fossilised old Tories. (Applause). As far as next session was concerned he did not think there would be much new legislation. Most of the time would be taken up wrangling. There would also be a good deal of the personal, especially 'as two prominent members were at present under a cloud. It . would be impossible to avoid bringing in these members. He looked forward to a wasted session ; the Opposition would endeavour to prevent legislation as far as possible, and the Government would not be extremely anxious to carry measures There was some talk of the Premier being invited to London to celebrate the Queen’s reign. If that were so he thought there would be no session at all. Mr Seddon was the only man in New Zealand able to lead hie party, and before he had been at sea many hours his party would be at sea also. He thanked them very much for the manner in which they had received the toast of his health.—(Loud applause). Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Ke'ly. During the evening songs were sung by Messrs E. Wright, J. Aitken and Lilly and the Misses Shepherd. Miss Black played a violin solo, and Miss Ball gave a recitation. The overture of Scottish reels and strathspeys was splendidly played by Mr and Mrs Blue; the last named and Mr Latimer supplied the accompaniments. Not ths least enjoyable item was a reading from “ Jeems Kaye” by Mr A. Prentice. After the speeches and musical programme had been got through the floor was cleared for dancing, which went merrily till a late hour, It is sufficient to mention that the catering was in the hands of Mr Baeside, who filled that part of the bill almost as well as he filled the chair.