MR BUXTON M.P.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14660, 30 January 1912, Page 5

MR BUXTON M.P.

ENTERTAINED BY HIS CONSTIIEENTS.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATIiEEtf.VG.

The constituents of Mr Ihomas Buxton, M.P., entertained L..UI at a social evening at Temuka last night and presented hint with -.in ?riu nutated address. The gathering was held iu the Drili Hall, which was packed, and the gathering was a :nost «.nthusiastie one. .- Mr Andrew Gibson, a leading member oi Mr Buxton's election tola niv tee, and one of the oldest residents oi the distii-ct, ably presided. OiUt-s on the pi.it lorm were—The Hon. f. Mackenzie, M.uister tor Agrictu; ire, Alossrs J. Crawford, chairman ot the Pleasant, l'o.ut 'town Board, John h'uzgerald, ,1. Black Waimate, J. Oyio, Winchester, G. T. Palmer, Point, W. Black, Fairlie, J. X. Paul, Waimate, D. McDuioSs, chairman of Mr Buxton's election committee, and others. Apologies icJ absence were received from air James Carroll, and Messrs Laurenson, Uitt, and Craigie, M.P's. Tiiu chairman said that Mr 3uxion had proved an able, straigntforwitd, and hardworking Member, one possessed of good common sense, which he was ovsr rcidy to use for the good of the Domin:on and the benefit of his own eleetarate in particular, ilo h?d been able, by strenuous exertions, to izv.r, the Government to ncqaire OQO acres oi land for elo>-c settlnneiit, an accomplishment whivh was for the great benefit of tho district. Air Gibson mentioned that in lco''£!ng over the election returns lie tliat cniy seven members Wei's returned with a larircr majority than Mr Buxton. tApp'.ause) This "vas a fact of which he had every reason t-> he proud : and as showing how tl e < iec--1; rs appreciate;! his services they l.nd returned hint at tho first ballot by a majority of 4G'J aff.iinst two i.tner <aiid : '!a;os, whereas at the previous cievt; >n he was returned at the sc:-on-1 lv.dlot by a majority of o-iiy 92, and he then I: ul only one The !>est compiiment they could pay him was to return him at next election by a majority of 490 in excess of lis previous majority. lApplinse.) And if they put their shoulders to the wheel they would be able to do it. (Applause.) THE PRESENTATION. Mr M-clncess then, in a very neot speech, presented an illuminated aduress to iLe member. Mr Button, Le said, had lived among them for the pa.-i 20 years, he had been Major af Temuka lor ten years and had always represented them both as Mayor and as ihe.r Paiuamenu.ry '.veil. That miziiE t;:ey had .net- »o :e----jo-eo iu ti:e hour of their victory; and they h.ui good reason to io :.>. It v.'.is a jcreat Victory tli.it Mr C'lsiin had achieved, and their feeiings er ;<iv v.ero propcrtionately high. The b:.ttle had been fought and v.ou, i id they esteemed their member for the eier-u way in whivh he fought- the (Hear hear.) He had borne the ivunt of the battle, had received the hardtst knacks, and he was entitled t.> re•.eive the gicatest honour. \Hoar hear.) They delighted in being r< presented by a Liberal Democrat- "f -Mr IJuxion's' type. He h d attended wtil to the needs of the district, aud had treated every elector in a 'air aid impartial- m-.tnner. He had don? as v.cl as anv man could do, and ad "himoUT w.-.s" due to him. Mr Mclnnesi ihe.i read tho framed illuminated address as follows: ••Thoniiis Biutton, Esq., M.P., of Tomuka-. "Dear Sir. eieetors ot the Temuka division, we wish to record our appreciation of the manner in which vou have acted as our parliamentary representative during the paaS three years, and of the gentlemanly, straightforward, and couragous losnner in which you led us and yourself to vic-tary in the campaign justover. . "You ate now in your second term r.s a member of our legislature, and the substantial increase in the number of votes cast for you clearly ■shows that we recognise that our confidence has r.ot been misplaced. As a man and citizen your we.rd is your bond, and as a politician every pledge made has been kept, and every duty imposed by your position lias been fulfilled. "Whilst rising above mere party, and acting as a representative of each ar-d everyone of your constituents, irrespective of political colour, you have forsaken no principles and made no half promises. As a true democrat and firm believer and supporter of that great party whose record speaks of equal oppotunity to all men, and advanced humanitarian legislation has made New Zealand what- it is to-day, you remind us of your respected father, who represented the northern part of your electorate with so conspicuous success. "You are now enjoying the highest office in tho gift- of tho people, but there are not wanting those amona us who consider that when the libera] barque has weathered the present storm that threatens it, the representative head of His Majesty's Government may bestow on you further advancement. The mau's past gives hostage to fortune, and so we say with confidence, 'may the success that attended your every nadertakinz aud political life continue.' "AYe remain, dear sir, yours sincerely. Daniel Melnness, John Fitzgerald, .indrew Gibson, John Opie, John Wilks, Anthony Washington, George -IcS. Gentlemun, A. Elder. E. B. Gi lespie (hon. sec), on behalf of vour constituents.—Temuka, January. 19i2." Th? ad'lrc-ss was artistically framed, .Mr Buxt-'n's photograph appe.irinz at th.e top. while views of Tem-ika yire shown en the sides on a lower cartel the address. In conclusion Mr M'-clnn-'Ss w : s!itd Mr Buxt.iii ionK life and prosp?r'iy, and asked the audience to sing "For he's a jolly good fellow.'' Tho entire assembly rose as r.ne man, and sang heartily, concluding with hearty cheers for iho mi-iitw for Te'imkn. On the call of the Hon. T. Mickonr.ie an additional vheer was given for Mrs Buxton.

APPRECIATIVE SPEECHES. ITr Black (Fairlic) said lie vas rlicre to represent the Mackenzie Country—down as far as Aibury; and he 0p..k0 in hi<rhly complimentary terms cf Mr Buxton, ivho he said., was by far the host of the tr:o who- stood lor the scat. Mr Uuxiou was a uian in ti.e best sense of the word, one iho trejtcd tlio poor with as much respect as the well-to-do; lie was a man vho took a keen interest in ih*e most important industry of the .Dominion — agriculture— and they were fortunate in hivins such a representative. Ho wished Mr Buxton a long and successful po'iticnl life. (Applasire.) Mr J. Blar-k ('Wairuatet next said a few wcrtls. He expressed ..Treat p c.suro at heins present at the uathcr.'fji. .-in-l slid that personn'ly he i over \s<o. any hut- thr.t Mr Hnsvm '\mild Tso' return" - !. Waimnte had rtoae T: II -n the liberal \ius>. aus? Mr p!tvf'in'= supporters There hoped that l:c would be long spared to represent them. (Appla'nseJ

Mr Paul (Waitnafe) "r.dtKd * milt <u praise to Mr Buxton, and tom on to speak of the good that was dons bv a. politician who uplifted the T>aMes and gave equality of opportunity to aIL They were doing honour to Mr Buxton for the good he had done) their good wishes on his behalf wei» sincere and came from their hearts, and they hoped he would long be spared to represent them. (Apoi-vjso.) Mr George Winter, Cave, next added his tribute to Hie guest of the evening, and spoke of Mr Button's late father as one of the best men who ever lived or died. He wish-ad Sir Buxton long life, and '-xprossed * hope that he would be called to a scat in the Ministry. (Applause.) Mr John Crawford, chairman of Pleasant Point Road Boad, said he was very pleased to he there to do honour to their member. Jj e -n-as there to rejoice with the Temuka people that they had elected a Liberal member for his district. He hfcd 1.0 speech prepared as he was not a great speaker. They did not want to rejoice over those who had fallen in the battle, but they rejoiced with those who had been victorious. .Sir Crawford compared the three candidates who had fought the Inst -lection in the district to three moantains in a. very humorous manner. He hepsd Mr Buxton would continue to help" the electorate. They were very plr-aspd in Pleasant Point that they lu:d rot been cut off from the Tetnuka electorate. Waimate had been joined "o the Temuka, district, and he hoped tlint in three years time they would ho ]uM> as pleased with their member is tUo people at its northern end. 1e hoped Mr Burton would have long "ire and happiness, and would he l ong spared to represent them in Pariia lent. (App'auseA MR BUXTON'S REPLY.

Mr Buxton, who was received with hearty and long-oontmued applause, said it, was ditneuit to acknowledge such kindness as he had received that night; it would be far easier to reply to adverse criticism. He assured them, however, that he appreciated their kindness very much. He appreciated tho fact that many of them had come long distances to be present, and what had been said and done would be an incentive to him to con-tinue-to do his very best on behalf of every person in his electorate. He was proud of the Temuka t'ectorat-e, and felt it a great honour to represent. it in Parliament. And while he ielt the honour, he also recognised the responsibility devolving upon him. He recognised, too, that he had not been returned solely by members of the Liberal Party. Many others he knew had voted for him because they knew that he would do his best on behalf of them all, irrespective <of Party. His aim would certainly be to do the greatest good to the greatest number. Mr Buxton spoke optimistically of iixc future prospects of New Zealand, and denied what some people said, when they declared it was "going to the dogs." Even if the Opposition got into power it would still progress. New Zealand was in a more prosperous position to-day than it had ever been in before, and there were better chances for the ordinary man, though not, perhaps, for the man who had large arc-as of land locked up. He felt that if a change in administration were to take place he would need, as -their representative, to be more vigilant than ever in watching that legislation for the benefit of the masses was jut upon tlie Statute Book. Some people thought he ought to be down-hearted and looking very sober and sorry at the present political position, but he did not feel that way at all; he would rather welcome a change for a fcme, just to givo the Opposition the chance they were always asking for to h>ok into the pigeon-holes. He had no it of what they would find there—none whatever. Tho administration was clean, and if it could Tie proved otherwise, he would no longer support the Party he had always supported. But he had no fear on that score whatever. (Applause.) Mr Buxton said he would go on doing his best, and if he failed he asked them to be charitable and remember that- it was sometimes a very hard task to please everybody. Mr Buxton spoke earnestly on tiic question of land settlement. He believed there were thousands of acres that could yet lie sub-divided and more closely settled, and that to go on with this sub-division was one of the most important things that they could do, both from the point of view of the settlers, who would benefit immediately, and the Dominion as a whole. (Applause.) It would be tho duty of whoever might be in power to look to the land question vigilantly. In sub-dividing there was no wish to injure the large landholder, but they must get all the land settled and go in for more intense cultivation. The Administration must-"get-busy" with this matter of buying lands and settling people oa them*! We had a country wo wore proud of, and South Canterbury was one of the very best parts of New Zealand. 1 had great possibilities, and he was proud to he one of the legislators wh. would have something to do with the future destiny of such a fine countrv. One more he expressed his Ereat indebtedness to them for their handsome present and kindly sentiments. (Loud applause.) MR. MACKENZIE'S SPEECH.

The Hon. T. Mackenzie rvferrei to Mr Buxton as one of the woi-ta ; ost men returned to Parliament for tutv years, a man of great abiljtv and w,ih potentialities that were bound lo take him to the front. Mr Buxton cariy impressed the House by bis fearless and straightforward speeches in advocacy of whatever he nas right, and he spoke out straight, respective of whether he was spea-cirg on the popular side or on the unpopular side. (Applause.) The Minister predicted a useful future for him. In honouring Mr Buxton they .vere honouring themselves. There ■••ere tlcte who would have them belfe-o that culture and respectability were Jul en one side of the House, but tnat was not so. These attributes were to be found on both sides of the House, PJ<d a man like Mr Buxton was a credit to the Liberal side. (Applause.) The Minister went on to speak *u humorous vein of tho attempts at Cabinetmaking which were being mads bv Mr Massey and his friends, and f:i:d that the recent elections had bp;-r fought out not so much against the Liberal Party as against on© lunu in it. Every art had been -esorted to, and no money had been spared iu ;he endeavour to put that man uat of the political life of the country; but it did not follow that Mr Massey was going to get his place. Tho <;'iesii>n was: "Who is going to liii ihat p'lfition if not Sir Joseph Ward?" Ci e might enlarge a good deal jn lae present yiositton, but ho would msr«y s-iy that at present neither of tho two leaders had a majority. One would think from what tho Opposition said, that they wore already in power. Mr Massey said his Cabinet would be one of good mahogany, but he (the speaker) would prefer a Cabinet of good old British oak. (Laughter). And what about our graceful rimu or stately kauri? (Laughter). Again Mr Massey said he had seen the haudwriting on the wall. But ho did not send for a Daniel to interpret it. He became his own interpreter, which was a very had principle to follow, for it was like a man "iK'i-iriiisi'i bis own lawyer, when he was very liable to get into difficulties. (Laughter.} He compared Mr Massey to Hc'shazzar, who saw thehaiHhvriting nn the wall, and got into difficulties immediately afterwards. <L:ni;_-l>l.'r.) The Opposition usod to char::;' tin- Government with giving spoils to the victors, but now they

552 changed. Ssfrjlirastf lo gtrifc {Lamselves, and it was now '•fruits or vicli they did have tha good fortune to get into power they wcuid do bo under the very best auspices, for the country was never in suoh a. prosperous condition u to-day. Those present that night most have heea filled wiii. wonder at ihs statements that had been made residing pahlio men. Mr Hardy. r-x-M.P.. whom one of his political adatcrars L:d called a "sweet man," had stated that the Government's laws were gx;l out i that the administration was airnra. This was not a very "sweet" thirty for him to say. Then again Mt Herdmaa on tine other hand h2s said thai iho laws were all bad. Another Doiircva had described the Ministry Oba "rag tag and bobtail of th-j country." and statements had been marie thkl the of the Government wcrer dipping their hands into the public purse for their own private c-n3s. "his last wils a most serious and iinww ranted statement, and Mr Mackenzie combatied it- at some length. One of the hottest things that had been £pid recently was the deliverance :it the Opposition rally at Auckland the c.ihtr day, when Mr Buick North) _staied that they were going to "oust from the Treasury benches iho most effete, corrupt and imbecile Goi vernment that had ever c*ccupied those Benches." The great, cry itad been for a change, but Earl Gi*y stated st a dinner given in Lis honour recently that "when no change is necessary it is Eetessary not ;o change." What, was the pc-sition of New Zealand at the present moment? Every class was in the ciii-'-yment of prosperity. From the largest run-holder down to the humblest work-ir, all were doing ueiL Mr Ma:-k;-;2ne. econpared the position of our staple products With their position twenty years ago and declared that- there was n-jver a better return on invested <:apiial than at present. Financially ''his country was never in a !>eiter pvtsJI tion. Yet, ncithwithstanding, the people hnd allowed themselves to he worked up by the wealthy to demand a change, and to endeavour to mu v o from office a Government that had done more to build up personal liberty, political freedom and material welfare than anv other Government that had c-ver held ths reins of ufflc* in this country.

The Minister condemned Mr Mas. sey's proposal for a Civil s«rvsos Eoard, and said that 120 class enjoyed greater privileges timn th" ri-ril servants of this Dominion. One tculd imagine he said, that Mr Massey and his side of the House were :ill augela of purity and light, while those oa the other side were a pack of roju<* and scoundrels. (Laughter.) 't was, however, absolutely untrue. The Minister snoke at some length on laud settlement" and matters perfcaimas to his Department of Agriculture. lie spoke hopefully of the outlook for producers, showing that our meat waß likely to increase, in price as a result of more markets opening up on the Continent, and said that the outlook for wool and butter was also very bright. Mr Mackemde_ gave a lightning survey of the most important legislation passed by the present Government, and claimed that this absolutely disproved the allegation that the Government was effete. In conclusion, he contended that less time should T>a wasted in petty fanlt-Sndmc hv t?;e Opposition, and more earnest attention be siven by them to the real work o? helpine: the Dominion to progress along the best lines. (Applause.) THE MUSICAL PROGRAMME. A musical programme was provided in between ihs speeches, those taking part in this being:—The Temuka Pips Band, Jackson's orchestra, Mr Perkin (song), Mr Walker (song). Mr G. T. Palmer (recitation), Miss Ward, Wet lington (solo -—for which she was recalled), Mr V. Coira (song), and a quartette party consisting of Mrs Bilton. Miss Gapner, Mr Tiillon, and Mr V. Coira. The function concluded at 11 p.m. with the Pinging of "Auld Lang Syne," and 3 verse of the National Anthem. Supper was afterwards dispensed in an adjoining room to i&cse who had come from a distanca.