STRATFORD'S MEMBER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 9, 21 December 1911, Page 5

STRATFORD'S MEMBER.

A CONGRATULATORY REFER-

ENCE

The Wellington “Dominion” thus refers to Mr J. B. Hine: —“A win in the recent election struggle which calls for comment and congratulation is that of Mr Hine, whose candidature for the Stratford, seat was very strongly opposed by the supporters of Wardis'm. The country owes a great deal more to Mr Hine than it perhaps realises. It was largely duo to his courage and tenacity of purpose that public attention was focussed on the evil growths which have developed under the long reign of the Continuous Ministry. He had the courage and the high public spirit to undertake the unpleasant task of formulating specific charges which brought upon his head some of the bitterest attacks that have ever been made on a private member in Parliament. The whole weight of the Government, and all the influence which the party in power could bring to bear were exercised in an endeavour to crush and ruin him politically. Efforts wore made to entrap him; taunts were hurled at him in an endeavour to force his hand ; his case was prejudiced by the uncalled-for and inaccurate comments of the Chief Justice; he was badgered and vilified, and throughout it all, 'be, then a new member, kept steadily to his purpose, midis-' inayed by the tremendous odds arrayed against him; avoiding the pitfalls with calm- judgment, and in the end emerging triumphant before a Committee of Inquiry, the majority of the members of which were Government supporters. We doubt if any other member of the House could have gone through tliis ordeal with the same cool unconcern for the hostility of his oniponwnts' and:-the same unwavering determination to ‘sec the thing through.’ Mr Hine is a young man as well as a young member, and though not blessed with a fluent tongue, possesses qualities which promise to make him a prominent figure one day in the politics of .the country 7 ,. Ho is, in fact, one of the soundest and ablest of the younger members of the late Parliament—much more able than many of his o>vn party give him credit for. There is good reason for congratulation on his re-election ; not merely because of the recognition it makes of the great public service he rendered in the session of 1910; but because the country can ill-afford to lose the service of straightforward, plain-speaking men who place public duty above all else in the performance of their obligations as members of Parliament.”