MAJOR MINE ENTERTAINED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16769, 19 June 1920, Page 6

MAJOR MINE ENTERTAINED.

SOCIAL AT INGLEWOOD. A HANDSOME PRESENTATION. That Major J. B. Hine, who was recently defeated in the contest tor tho Stratford seal, retains the confidence of a very large number of people in the Inglewood portion of tho electorate was shown at a social which was held in his honour in tlie Inglewood- Town Hall on Friday evening. About five hundred peopie attended, the hall being completely filled and tile proceedings were marked by intense enthusiasm. Speeches, a presentation and a musical programme wero followed by dancing, and the gathering was successful in every way. Tho Mayor or Inglew-ood (Air. J. Sutherland) presided and there wero also on tho platform ; Major and Mrs. J .B. Hine, Mr. Hy. Brow’ll, Mr. and Mrs. F. Brown, Mr. O. Hawken, M.P.. Mr. R. H. Cameron and other representative men and l ladies from among .Major Hine’s supporters. A beautiful bouquet was presented to Mrs. Hine by little Rena Geddcs. The keen interest which tho ladies of the town and district had taken in the preparations was shown by the fact that they Had provided supper for everybody present. The tables were a magnificent sight, being heavily laden witn delicacies, and tho achievement of tho ladies in charge of the supper was a triumpu.

An excellent musical programme was opened by Mrs. George’s orchestra. JThc items were: Duet, Messrs. S. R. Harlow and K. H. Geddcs; vocal solos, Miss Hynes and Mr. Darlow; trio, Messrs. S. R. Darlow, F". A. Lloyd and R. H. Geddcs. The words of the trio were a cleverly written composition by Mr. Lloyd which dealt with subjects' appropriate to the occasion, and it caused considerable laughter and applause. The Prime Minister (the Hon. AA r . F. Massey) telegraphed that he very much regretted that ho and Airs. Massey could not attend owing to pressure of public business and wished Major Hino every success in the future. Other apologies received wero from Messrs. AA'. D. Powdrell, G. H. Buckeridge, C. A. AA'ilkinson, and A. Corkill (who had met with a slight accident). CHAIRAIAN'S ADDRESS The chairman said that they had assembled to express in some measure appreciation of tho good work of Major Hine during his whole career as memuer for the district. It was between 11 and 12 years ago that Major Hino had entered politics and he had represented the (Stratford constituency since. During the early part of his Parliamentan- career he had occupied the Opposition benches, but duriffg the last eight or niue years he had been on the Government side of the House. Continuing, the speaker referred to the fact that at the outbreak of war Major Hine bad seen fit to don khaki. (Applause). They had all been proud to have as their representative such a man, though they did not forget tho many others who' had gone. A man in Major Hine's position need not have gone if he had not felt so disposed ‘ Not only had they appreciated the good work of Major Hine, but his party had seen fit quite recently to elevate him to the Ministry, and his hearers knew that unless a man showed marked ability he had no chance of being given such a position. Taranaki, ■ as the most productive province in the Dominion, was entitled tohave a Minister and when Major Hine was chosen it had been felt to bo a great honour. Proceeding, Air. Sutherland said we were living in a day of changes, and even in England, whore it would be admitted there were some of the greatest statesmen in the world, they wero in power for a while, and then file people saw fit to turn them out and have a change. At present Major Hino was not their member. (A voice : AVait till next election). This part of the electorate had always given Alajor Hine a very substantial majority. (Applause). In fact the speaker thought he owed his original success to tho unity of the people of Inglewood and the surrounding districts. It must bo gratifying to him to see such a large attendance that night. In conclusion the chairman extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, particularly to Air. Hawken, member for Egmont, who was a comparative stranger there. PROMINENT SUPPORTER’S REMARKS.

Mr. F. Brown, chairman of Major Hina’s election committee, thanked all those present for the interest they had shown in the social. As they knew, in the last two contests the committee had been beaten, and, so far as he knew, beaten fairly. The other side had put up a big fight and he thought they coulci safely congratulate them on their win. After the contest Major Mine's committee had been told what they might have done, but it would have been far better if the people who gave this advice had been active before the contest. Me hoped they would bear that in mind next lime. Though Major Hino was out for the time being, the speaker trusted it was only temporarily. In 2£ years from nowj if Major Hino thought fit to offer his services, ho could guarantee tho same enthusiasm as in the past. As soon as tho result of the election was known tho committee and supporters had decided that they could not allow Major Mine to retire into private life without some recognition of iris past services. A suggestion that their Stratford friends should combine with them and give one banquet or social jn Stratford had been abandoned in favour of the two gatherings, owing to the large number of people from Inglewood who would have been unable to go to Stratford. Mr. Brown thanked all members of the late election committee, both town and country and everybody who had assisted to make the social what it was. ILLUMINATED ADDRESS AND CHEQUE.

Mr. Henry Brown rexerred to the regard in.wiuen Major Hme was held and said that lie had always done ms duty, wnether in Parliament or in tne army, in a manly, straightforward manner. (Applause). After some further remarks he said that, as one oi the oldest residents of Inglewood, he had been asked to present Major Hine with an illuminated address. Unfortunately the address had not been completed and could not be presented that night, but they 'hoped to forward it in a few dajs. Ho had also been asked to make a presentation to Major Hine—and ho hoped he would receive it—of a cheque foi £650. (Prolonged cheering). This had been subscribed by the electors of Inglewood and tho districts around rci.> willingly. . . There was more uproarious cheering when the envelope was handed to Major Hine and the chairman announced that Major Hine would reply later. REFORM MEMBER’S TRIBUTE. Q* Hawtsa* M.P V said he had

to condole with Major Hino oil his do * feat, but at the same time .Major Hino could place to himself that that gathering proved that there were a great many people in Inglewood who believed in him and thought well ol him. The goodwill of this audience was very different from tho cheers which greeted the man who wins. Proceeding, Mr. Hawken said that at no time in the lns r tory of tho Dominibn had there been so many momentous questions to bo faced as in the coming session of Parliament. The Government needed all the good help it could got and he thought that Major Hino would have given invaluable help in connection with the big question of repatriation. It was the one question tho Government could not fail to do justice to. There had been those who almost thought the Government was doing too much for tho men when tho vote was made and also there were those, even among the men themselves, who thought the Government was too slow. However, tho Government had expended the w'holo of the large sum voted in eight mouths and a great deal yet had to be done for the returned men. IVe seemed to be short of most things in these times, but criticism was always in good supply. The people could depend on it that the Government would do their best. Members had been warned that there was a very arduous session before them, but he had no doubt the Government would, as in the past, tackle the questions before them whole-heartedly and with a sense of their responsibility. (Applause.) There were certain sections of tho community who wore a disturbing element, but he did not think they wero backed up by the good sound commonsenso of; the people, j Referring to the dairy industry, Mr. Hawken was hopeful that tho market would bo good, as the world was short of those things which New Zealand produced. There were some phases of the question which bad to bo tackled. One ■vas tho expense of sending produceHomo and bringing out goods required. It was going to be very heavy and if the prices should be small these charges would he a very groat burden. Tho transport charges of sending our produce Homo now amounted to over £4,000.000 per annum more than they did before the war. The farming people, with their well-tried and able organisation, werq tho people to consider and deal with this question of shipping They could deal with it better than the Government, which, while willing to help, was disinclined to, tackle the whole question. Tho dairy industry would have to take action to bring down these excessive charges. In conclusion Mr. Hawken said that ho hoped that, if he was returned again at the next election, Major Hino would be with him. Mr. E. H. Cameron (of Stratford), chairman of Major Hine’s central committee. also spoke, and in the course of his remarks advocated the formation of a Reform League through the electorate. MAJOR JUNE’S REPLY. Another great outburst of applause greeted Major Hine as ho rose to speak. He said that really the function was too overcoming and it was fortunate for him that the chairman had given him a few moments in which to collect his thoughts. He did not know whether he was worth it all. Ho had done what he could for them and they had done their best for him. However, he must thank them most warmly for their generous thought and gift towards him and Ids. All the time ho had represented Stratford ho had given of his best and it had been a pleasure to do this for the district in which he had lived so long and had learned to love in tho country of his adoption. Looking back, he found that the whole of his public actions could be held up to the light of day and ho thought it was one of the pleasures of public life to know that one’s actions would bear close scrutiny. If ho got hack into public life he could promise that this would continue. Though out of.. Parliament, he was not out of harness, nor out of public life he hoped! In whatever ho could do for the. district he was at their service, and whatever he could do for the country he would do, in whatever capacity he was placed. AVith regard to the chairman’s remarks about his military service, he said that he treasured that service more than any other incident in his life. It had been a great pleasure to get into Parliament, but when-the war came Parliament and civil life went right into the background and his duty lay in what he had attempted to train himself for in the volunteer days. He thought no one in tho electorate grudged his absence at the war. lie came back and was proud to know that he had been elected a member or Cabinet just for a short period. He had had tho confidence of his colleagues and he was sure they regretted his defeat as much as those people present that night. Mr. Massey and his colleagues wero still there (h voice: Always will he!) and it was a good thing for tho country at this juncture that they were there. Referring again to his own absence from Parliament, Major Hino said it would give his Brain a spell and give him strength probably for the next election.

Major Mine said he ivantcd to pay a tribute to his late chief and colleagues. Mr. Massey was the one strong man of the country. Tho speaker prophesied that ho would retain tho confidence of the country for many years to come. He hoped that Mr. Massey would not overstrain himself and break down, as there was great danger of leaders in all countries doing. He could place more work on his young colleagues. I hero was plenty of young blood available, Taranaki members included. A voice: Do you want to give it to Boh ?

Major Hine replied that there were others who wore capable as well as Bob. Continuing ho thanked thoso who had voted for him at the last election and said there was no doubt that it was Inglewood which first put him into Parliament. Again ho confessed that they had completely knocked him over that night. They had always treated him well, but in response to the welcome given him and Mrs. Hine that right and the way they had loaded him up h» could not find adequate words to express his feelings. Because ho had had the pleasure and honour to represent the district for 11 years there was no other reason why another loan should not he allowed to contest the seat and when the time came round if there was any other man, or lady for that matter, in the field ns Reform candidate he would still be heart and soul behind them to further the cause. He had never felt down-hearted at losing the seat. It came to every man and ho was not the only one who went out in the last election. (Laughter.) Hcr-eaid that the address given him that night would be treasured by himself and family for many years to come and would bring memories of many happy days in Inglewood, both in victory and defeat. If the newspapers could be behoved, Major Hine further remarked, there was going to be another election before the year "was out. The members were there for three years, however, and wore not going to vote themselves out. Ho had known members of Parliament

long enough to know that they would talk a lot but would think for a long time before turning a Government out if they thought an election would result. In conclusion, Major Hino said ho trusted he was worthy of the handsome gifts given him and that he would never he unworthy of the confidence reposed in him up to the present.