MR J. H. WITHEFORD.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 461, 25 May 1899, Page 18

MR J. H. WITHEFORD.

On Friday afternoon several citizens waited upon Mr Joseph Howard Witheford at the Star Hotel, and presented him with a requisition signed by 3,125 voters of Auckland City, asking him to consent to be a candidate at the next General Election. There were present Dr. McArthur. Dr. Wilkins. J. McLachlan, J. J. Holland, M.H.R , F. J. Bennett, Thomas Gee, Joseph Barber, B. C. Roberts, E. D. Halstead, P. M. Mackay, J. Callinan. A. T. Rose, E. W. Page, T. Haile Giles, T. Harbutt, G. A. Cole, and H. Gilfillan. Dr. McArthur made a neat little speech in presenting the requisition, and Dr Wilkins, who spoke in support of the petition, testified to the sterling qualities of Mr Witheford and said the number of people signing the

requisition showed plainly the. opinion of the voters as to Mr Witheford’s qualifications for tiie position of member for Auckland. The requisition was as follows:— To J. H. Witheford.—Dear Sir,—We the undersigned electors of the City of Auckland, beg respectfully to invite you to be nominated as a candidate for Parliament at the coming election. We are induced to do so, being firmly convinced in our minds that the interests of Auckland, as well as New Zealand at large, would be safe in your hands. We recognise that the tact and ability displayed by you in your negotiations with the Home Government in connection with the Calliope Dock, together with your large experience and untiring energy put your.abilities to represent us beyond question ; and it is in the firm belief that your presence in our House of Representatives would do credit to us as a constituency that we ask your kind consideration of this requisition. In replying to the deputation Mr Witheford said he was very grateful for the. honour done him in asking him to become a candidate. After referring to Mr Seddon’s friendly aspect towards Auckland, Mr Witherford said, I have thus far to regard Mr Seddon as a friend of Auckland, and you will therefore understand that whether in all political matters we agree or not, I greatly appreciate his support in the matter I have referred to. If, however, Mr Seddon were to oppose the continuance of the San Francisco mail service I should have to oppose Mr Seddon, or any one else who did so. I note the Wellington Post, in referring to the action I took in Sydney recently to have the pacific mail service put upon a permanent basis, and subsidised by the Australian and New Zealand Governments, was not aware of the broad Colonial grounds upon which I approached the Postmaster-General of New South Wales. I laid my proposition before Mr Ward, the late Postmaster-General of New Zealand, who arrived in Sydney just at that time, previous to sending it in, and he expressed entire approval of my action, and said he would do anything he could to secure the establishment of an improved service for a fixed period. Should I decide to stand for the City it would be with the intention, if returned, to spare neither time, trouble, nor expense to advance the interests of the colony and Auckland, and I should consider myself free to support all measures calculated to promote Auckland’s prosperity, perfectly independently of any party. In giving my reply I shall endeavour to state clearly the political platform upon which I should stand. Mr Gee, Mr McLachlan, and Mr McKay also spoke a few words adding their personal request that Mr Witheford would consent to the earnest desire of those who had signed the petition. After a vote of thanks to Mr E. W. Page, for his efforts in getting the requisition signed which Mr Page said was very easy work, the proceedings were brought to a conclusion. It is to be hoped that Mr Witheford will give his consent and allow himself to be nominated. He will make one of the best members Auckland has had for a very long time. Mr Witheford will call a meeting so that he can make known his intentions as soon as he has made up his mind. There is one thing certain, that is that if Mr Witheford is elected —and if he stands he will be at the top of the poll—the Trade will have a strong friend in the new member.