EX-M.P. HONOURED

Southland Times, Issue 19829, 27 March 1926, Page 7

EX-M.P. HONOURED

WINTON FUNCTION MR AND MRS PERRELLE ENTERTAINED AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING. The Radio Theatre, Winton, held a large audience last evening when residents of that centre, in addition to many electors from every quarter of the Awarua Electorate, gathered to honour Mr P. A. de la Perrelle, ex-M.P. for the district, and Mrs Perrelle. The function was organised as a mark of appreciation of the work accomplished by the guest during his term as Parliamentarian, and the extent of the audience provided ample proof that Mr Perrelle’s’ efforts in the past have won wide approval throughout the district he represented.

The Mayor of Winton (Mr J. A. Broom) presided, and with him on the platform were Mr and Mrs de la Perrelle, Mr J. Horn (M.P. for Wakatipu) and Mrs Horn, Mrs Broom, Mr James King and the Rev. Gaut.

Apologies for absence, accompanied by wishes for a successful evening, were received from Messrs Arthur Moffett, T. W. Taylor, A. C. James (Invercargill), C. Mclntosh (Hedgehope), W. J. Marsh (Wyndham), R. A. Anderson (Invercargill), T. K. Sidey (M.P., Dunedin), the Hon. and Mrs A. F. Hawke (Invercargill), Mr and Mrs H. F. Drewe (Invercargill), Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), and Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill). THE PRESENTATION. Mr Broom first offered a welcome to both visitors and residents. Later, in broaching the principal business of the gathering, he spoke of the establishment and development of the N.Z. Parliament to its present constitution of Reform, National and Labour Parties—and Sir Joseph Ward. If it had not been for the latter the old Liberal Party would have been extinct. Proceeding, the chairman remarked that he was present on the invitation of the committee, and although personally he took no part in politics he knew the guest as a thorough gentleman, and he was pleased to see so many present to honour him. The function was indeed a fitting conclusion to his three years’ service, and the speaker was sure that both supporters and opponents would agree on this point.— (Applause.) He had put in a tremendous amount of work for the electorate, and he was sure all were proud to have Mr Perrelle as an M.P. even if it was only for three years.—(Applause.) w He then asked the guest. to accept a wallet of notes in recognition of his services to the electorate, not only from his supporters but from his friends also.—(Loud applause.) In making a presentation to Mrs Perrelle, Dr Gow endorsed the chairman’s remarks concerning Mr Perrelle’s worthiness as a politician. There were however many who also thought that Mrs Perrelle was equally deserving of praise, and spoke of her enthusiastic support of her husband’s candidacy, and of her association with most of the public bodies in the district, and also referred to her ability as a musician, and the beneficent influence she had in family and home affairs. In presenting Mrs Perrelle with a case of British stainless cutlery Dr Gow expressed the hope that the recipient would be able to make extensive use of the gift, but trusted that it would not be the means of “cutting” her friendship with the many supporters and friends of her husband in the Awarua electorate.— (Prolonged applause.) On the call of Dr Gow the audience joined in singing “For they are Jolly Good Fellows.” SUPPORTING SPEECHES. In adding his tribute to the guest, Mr Horn said that he was more than delighted when he received the invitation to be present, for of all the persons in Parliament during the last three years Mr Perrelle’s friendship was the greatest he enjoyed, it dating back to the latter’s boyhood. The speaker testified to the guest's uprightness of character during their long acquaintance and referring especially to the period following 1922 commended Mr Perrelle on the conscientious manner in which he had attended to the needs of Awarua and Southland, especially on the fact that he had given the same unstinted a.. ..iwu iu ihe requests of political opponents as to his supporters.— (Applause.) Referring to proceedings in the House the speaker stressed the fact that no matter how strenuously members were opposed to each other in political contests and in the House, they were all “jolly good fellows” when they met in other spheres, regarding the House as a place in which to air their grievances. Concluding, the speaker remarked that the next time Mr Perrelle stood as a candidate for Parliament they would not forget the excellent work he had accomplished.— (Applause.) Mr W. Hinchey (Bluff) also spoke, first voicing his pleasure and appreciation at receiving an invitation to attend the function and then referring to the enthusiasm and energy with which Mr Perrelle had applied himself to the tasks falling to his lot as a Parliamentarian. Mr Perrelle, he said, had always done his very best for the people he represented, and he believed that the guest would continue to do a lot for the public good.— (Applause.)

MR PERRELLE’S ACKNOWLEDGMENT. In rising to respond Mr Perrelle was greeted with an enthusiastic ovation. He said that he was deeply grateful for the honour accorded him, a gratification which was intensified by the kindly sentiments expressed in regard to his wife. He appreciated that more than the remarks passed regarding himself, for it was by his wife’s good help that he was privileged to give his whole services for Awarua.— (Applause.) He assured his hearers that he did not look for any reward for his endeavours, and if he thought his work had been appreciated then he was more than repaid. For the next three years Mr Hamilton was the chosen representative of the electorate, and from the very first he had taken his defeat without demur. It was his duty to bow to the wishes of the people, and if as time went on they desired him to offer his services again he would certainly think the matter over. And while he was relegated to private life his interest in Awarua and Southland would not wane. He had seen a lot of northern parts but without hesitation he would say that they had a “bonny place” in Southland, with its agricultural resources and scenic wonders. What they wanted was much closer settlement, more intensive cultivation and more industrial activity. The province had a great future and it was the duty of each settler to do his utmost for its advancement. Northerners were inclined to condemn it on account of the climate, but he could assure them that “the last joint had a wag in it.”—(Applause.) Speaking of the Dominion’s future, Mr Perrelle stressed the absolute necessity for more production with less importation to ensure the future welfare of the country. By this means only could the Dominion’s credit be kept up and threatening financial disaster avoided. Proceeding, he said that with all sincerity he could assure his hearers that he was broadminded enough to have forgotten things which had hurt him during the late election. While he was their member for Parliament it had afforded him great pleasure to work and to give the best he could for his electorate and he gave equally to those politically opposed to him as to his supporters.— (Applause.) He thanked all who had arranged and assisted at the function, and added that both Mrs Perrelle and himself were sincerely grateful for the presentations which were the more appreciated because they were unexpected. “I can assure you,” he concluded, “that the best we can give in helping Awarua and Southland will always be offered.”—(Applause.)

Prior to the speech-making an .enjoyable programme was submitted, the following contributing—Mr A. D. Brown (solo), Mrs Anderson (solo), Miss Mona Cowie (recitations), Mr T. Russell (songs), Mrs Phillips (solos), Mr C. de R. Andrews (humorous items), Mr A. Clark (solos, with violin obbligato by Mr L. de la Perrelle). Mrs J. McArthur played the accompaniments, and at the opening of the function the Browns Pipe Band played a selection. Later supper was oetod and the evening concluded with a dance.