GOVERNMENT BANQUET.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 752, 26 February 1910, Page 5

GOVERNMENT BANQUET.

LORD PL'DNKET'S DEEABTTJBE. ADVICE BY LORD KITCEENEB. A banquet, given to Field-Marshal Lord Kitohoner by the Government, was held in the Grand Hotel last evening. The following is tho official list of those who attonded.-His Excellency tho Governor, Tield-Marshal Lord Kitchener, lit. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, Sir James Prendergast, Hon. A. R. GUinness, Colonel Kirkpatrick, Judge Onap man, Dr. Newman, Mayor, G. E. Telhurst, Dr. Collins, H. C. Water-' Hold, Captain Shannon, Hon. J. Carroll, Hon. J. Millar, Hon. G. Fowlds, Hon, Dr. Findlay, Hon. R. MTfonzie, Hon. D. Bnddo, Hon. A. T. Ngata, Hon. T. K. Macdonald, Hon. A. Baldoy, Hon. C. M.' Lute, Hon. B. A. Loughaan, Hon. Capt. Bailhe, Hon. H. Giliner, Hon. J. E. Jenkinson, Hon. C. J Johnson, Messrs. T. M Wilford, A. L. Hordman, D. M'Laren, P. M. B. Fisher, J. ._- IJ.1 J . Luke, R. A. Wnght, W. H. Field,-' W. Prasor, T. E. K. Seddon, J. J. Hogan, M.P.'s, Colonel Collins, Colonel Eobin, Colonel Tiison, Major M'Donald, Colonel Bauchop, Captain Seddon, Captain Trask, Colonel CJiaytor, Colonel Hawkins; Messrs I T. K. Roydhouso, A. A. Wholan, P. C. IFreeth, C. W. Eario, Malcolm Eoss, Greslej Lukin, Dr. Martin, P. H. D. 8011, Dr. Izard, A. W. Newton, A. E. Kernot, A. E. Pearce, P. Djer, J. Duncan, A. E. Mills, B. M. Litchheld, J. H. B. Coates, E. B. Smith, A. P. Webster, W. Jl'Cullough, E. J. Finch, H. Bcauchamp, Eov. W. J. Comrie, Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, i Aichbishop !B«dTTOod, Bishop Walhs, Eev. J. R. Glnbson, Eev. ,r. J. North, Ecv. S. ' J. Serpcll, Eov. C C. Ward, Rev. H. i Van Stavercn, Colonel KnigM, Judge Cooper, Judge Jackson Palmer, Messrs. W. G. Duthie, E Fletcher, H. C. Tewslcy, U. M'Cabe, Dr. Purdy, Dr. Cahiil, Messrs. C. P. Skerrett, W. C. Noot, G. H. P. Eolleston, P. G. Dakiell, Dr. Fitchctt, Professor Salmond, Messrs J. W. Poynton, M. Myers, D. M. Findlay. J. R. Palmer, W. H. Quick, W. H. TurnbuU, E. Turnbnll, W. A. Kennedy, J. B. Harconrt, Dr. Maciay, Messrs. J. H. Richardson, D. Eobertson, T. Eonaync, P. Hoyes, J. K. Warburton, ' F. Waldcgrave, H. J. H. Blow, W. Kensington, lieutenant-Colonel Dakin, Cominnnder Bredonberg, Messrs. R. W, M'Villy, J. Dykes, J. F. Andrews, JHislop, and F. G. Matthews.

"-PRIME MINISTER ON LORD ■ ].y[ ;.■■: h^^PLUNKET. 1 In'proposing the toast of his Excel* lency the Governor,. tho. Prime Minister . (Sir Joseph Ward)' said that he was'ri-:',.:. • minded- or tho fact; that in a very6hort.,';.;': time tho present : occupant of that high :.'■■,.,.' and distinguished position-would- cease-:: to bo in Now.Zealand astbo>KingVrey. 1 ': ; ! N preventative. — That : everybody • deeply 1 .- ■:■.': regretted.-', (Hear, hear.) -Their regret' >S;\ arosofrom the fact that term '-I:.-:-; of office Lord Plunket had- maintained '•'■c ■■»;.. the highest traditions : attaching- ] to the h-;:'■ position' in a way that reflected toe great- : :-:, : cst. credit on him. ; At, aU-tiincs.Ws.Ex-.-;:>'- 1 cellency Tiad filled the office' with dignity,Vl ;':■.'. and at tho same time had; shown a cour-"' S v * tesy :to people of all .classes. which-,hadi vi'v colled forth the highest bnoomrums: in'.' '-■:■.' his'favour. Daring tho time lie had been;%• '.;Vi here;ho had been in the- forefront'iotv^;.-j every object aimed at ■'■'■ •-'■" tho/ interests, of. the people, and he had--<*S done-much'.to^weld-the'hßfe.ef.^ihVduuji.' , of; tho Empire, which-were never i; . mors '' S'. :: strong . than to-day.' :It devolved upon" liim' to eay ; : a word •or two. witlv roforeoce '■■ ■; to the work .which had been .'done ; '-'by' T '&,' the charming 'lady vwho shared ■ in"' the • '•' : '■; responsiblo. duties : associated-.with "-■''■ the' , t'''.; position of Governor. (ApplanßC.). .ladr - ; ■■'•■•

■'.sfeHnniet.had.-done:;splendid ; ',"wbrk- on beHi^half,ofthe:.wom'en' of. the; Dominion,"and: ,>y;!iimnoh;=brighter? and;-happier as'.a result ; :'aU---'-de>,' B hayeXprd ; Plunket.with' them,' iT£v.and : ";they'- trusted: that .'by- and by', whon ;;s§;Sh.e 'left .New -Zealand-he; would .continue. : #£;;;itosremeriiber that people, of ;.aU;.Bhades of s''S:Kopinion:,.:m.ithis country were -watching «>M ! hisi:future'ftcareerv.\with :•, gfeatjV. interest.) feSsTheyJ: trusted- that';rtVpuld''be":'a.!veryg;sffihappy;;and prosperous; "and in /every :-way fpPniccessful;-career. : v'(Applau6eo'v- ".v; : '-\r

rt/'sjir ■ vHis'';Eic6llency," in ■.'replying.;. to ---' the Joseph ■'Ward for;"the ;i::i3jtooVkind';WOrds;.he..has- expressed .towards :Sfimysel|;'*aiid?:;the>yery' ( :proper- remarks :he : to-Xady. Plnnket... l ;^S^"r;;am^M^^Ms :: Kcellehoy.;-cohtinued)-of loyalty BWVto/ the* Throne, 1 ;, and f love. :for.;-thb ,-Old sei'iLaffdVwliich'-■■ the:-'hardy''pioneers brought fli«but-withi':thera;hwh'en. : they"sought ajnew ,to i-i7j;rtheiri'success6rav::!f]S haveialways' felt at issVK|least ; :;anvequal •' respect,-for -the (fop-seated' Empire,'land : - ; the"-wise;' comiWrtmon^sense';i,;f:patrioti^:,'!iwhich;,',has : J!>r: ijS l i|g?neration'iTin , .;.this?-Dominion;:;.; And—l!the many' 53v3patri6tic' : iactibns';;displayed -by:; New; ijeveh'*duiing': ; the' ;termjbf 'my: office, , ]';{;»Jnone7:w^KW^mqre"thbught;..of;:.or. ; :more i&&'Jiighly:"respcctedH'by: : -and ■*^;=!thetp^ople::of^:the/Old: Land'.'than ;;the, iiU-'i'3eciSibni'lately:■ arrived 'at'by;;the Parliafe?.nientvin'd;. Kg ; , land; !OppositibnTrand';by.;'the;press-.of.':this vSMland 'and; neighbo'urin'gi continent,', that shall -be. the short fciH!?M^??^P^ ; -%? s '^Mfet'w ; 'j.j;;.;;n6w,\;tb'" ! dbfend.");hiS': protect W i '?:ttoYe;-'Th6mihißilo^es.V['XApplaiMj i TTh'e ■'^vthe'^-mo'm'mtVis'ithe-presence. v of ;.'.the'■difr. , ?;6;,;;.h'nguished-:guest, 'of,';thjs-evening... (Ap: g^i^lauseJfl'il^ami'cbrivinceiHhat; the; Gpv ; ..people ?g;.;.;ofi^Wew'.•; Zealand "'•'; are.;' ; deterinined ■„■ to. v ,SJ;!tj'.now.'-;or,.,wh'at:'.he:fmay;,tell::us -later ,on, ?;-;;Viaiid ! l-believethat : if,.we do follow-, closely >.S;; ptf Jhe, lines -and: between :the lines, of ,his f#S-'■&s•°?'™,Pe;<'-of. this- D v ominionVwill ', prove 'one' Ljtj-'.of.-ihe; mos.ti' noble .'object-lessons- tint the ;J j.; ; Empire ! hasjeyer';been shown. ■-. (Appiause.); tbast^'of,; the : guest-'bf $!s :the v'eyening;; Sir> Jbseph^'.Ward , .said he' thoughtV that: heywas ; :right; in :saying ; that .■&;;,Lord;.Kitchener..tTOined ! theiideal ,; bf the xiation'mdfe" th'an :; aiiy '. other mail:Vhb • bad ii''wprevionsly. :; visited-':t"he ■■Dbminipn.': (Ap-' :;giplausei):f; ; 'rwhile;;we'iare^allv:an)rions : to ;

~£i! j; see .(peace « continued ••'within -the ; ;I BriKsh @}'iemeniher.;the .fact ; .that: we-'are a ; fighting !j;i;i jgVe>haye : to it-is' not' ;?br ■'•:• eyen .'; talkers-r ;y:5-';(laughte'r)^.th'at^we J t;:^xionV\that"tue. '-Empire'bccupies"; r it'-is .due , S';;to'-sucK::men'as:,those::wha v wbn:for us the' jfs ;?NileA /Trafalgar; J : and'.: ;Waterlb6;v: ; (Hear, ?V.» ,-iheaiSj) VAnd weihaye'"alsp,.tp' realise 'at -the' 7S-ri^^tot'--JUsotur^;.ttatyt!is.'-to' ; encli''a-m'an' s§*;BSfc : ; fr people .{he :flf-.';Empire;;are4lopking,: , (fbr.-.;he.;has •, proved: C ! h i; '' : "UaiE.4heJi^bsseKes''' < '-ibe'S;necjssary/: , .lmoW<! position' ;>Jir-ihpuld;need:arise.thatiwill enable victories , :(;Spsuchfas;.l~:'have-'iallud'ed^t6'''to,.be::Won. i

; .to; ! }being';/:an > K;r:'s;niustTib.ns>Boldi'er,,: Lord : ;Kitche'iierfs-;'his:; .him' KT;b'e irSrtß:>mai-vWho^has -left /his viinpress: on\;the Sfflg government fbf : both ,of {■ tLose; portions, of, s|C ; SMe:(Empire.-fV(Hear, ; i : ;hears.)i, ! in-Bayingffnrth'er;:that;he;has &£vhik npt only, his;;imprcss,';on .the' Govern-; •jv.® meiitSipf 'EgTDt:aiid .fediaV-birt his.iiipiess f%;.effiJhgßnfa^|!Empire/,-{l^u^applauj^

ISi^^Pr^nViyisi^.^':^ , -;^;^'^;;/;^^ : Tisiti-ttP'vAustralja'.-, ;^pand. ; New,;Zeal : 'ft='ytffg^t'd'eal^pfcgd]B^-'Ms':'bey«n'i r ;;.|.;-?tioni.|(Applaus&)..SNol)ody -,who- has ;,been \ throughput' f}i; : ;iNew;:Zealandr'cbuld'- db''pther' than "recog- . ;^.tf»i;^^^nto^i^ro'it'jthe'.-desTO/of;'all: - S'^idas^ ; ?3^img;-Md'.v6lSi';fe./MeAs^d-Bj.t': , *Ms;ihenpr; wd;ioiineetJhim^;;;The;.visit. nmst-l ps(^o/^'i'^ei^V™o^t':ofrgopd,*nbt! , piily.' , : ;s^itesthe\^i < eMS«^\blj)jriatpe.\!^ars/'butj-'M. : S?|th'efsoui^^plP>-'ffi : iSji snaking ';'periodj- : throngils which'-Jwe-'yS'are; S6'^passing: there," willv be ■S^3nii^^tb^ : 'iact^tt'a^/they.-i'haTeV^e&-: , .ffi«i yScreatest ispldieriof ith'et :Bri*ish?i' : Empire^' ;;«S<Applause'.)''5 y Ana::l. /might 'ih'ere'-;remark: t that:other.!men:pcflupy-! K I J ; -'^:.(high.' ; and.'- : distinguished-; positionstin'- : ijSv-Bdci; s asilOTd'Etchenerlis; inaking. ; -'EpW/ ;s:f#littlei theyrilmbwi of Ju^;ind;;in: turn :hbw ■ ffi?S!ittle.(dp : ,oui!;iypring ipebple Imp,*-of i.th'em!: i^S'ylfvwe'j(^d; , have'. ; ■;•:''V'and'varevboEtributing''!tp' ; inake.'the ; name: i^ah'dj-f^^^fvthe ?^pire,; ; : :the'.threads;;br wpiilH '-beidr-Smi ': much, closer :■ to-f' : ix^vgether-^{applause)—rind i : an-;-',. ( > immense. I l^v:iamount:'pf-;gbod..'would i :,b9 done; ¥ >.%" to the' people' of : the- young /Dominions: be-!. !.a;. : 'iond"the-seas, :bnt also .to ,the;:people J .of ■} a«-Old Land,;: to" wtem :;we^'are'so .deeply; &l£ ;g^ W -.'l'; "do^ ~Lord : Eitchener, 'ipi'lhat : yon :are' a'big'man in !the.';truest; sense' H,-*- :, ipf ':.the.' : 'term, '.and ; .";a ; ; brbad-minded I man, % ; :^efcvlme'.,teU : .ypu\that; we."have; all; -read':"al Jforvinf'ii ptance,-:seen;'yph referred ;to/;as :'-'the Iron of%the. Old' T LaJid," and *i»4pi>his;"alsp:'been" stited f-lhaKyybu > ;*;iJ:lJiardly"' J :eyer.'known:->to:^;s'niile.':' ! ;. iys|v!EtclMß^^?.h|ere'V''smU^^- , 'Slf (was ;,f : 'Si;jif; iKe;'wrifera-hadiibeeii'.afforded- an:.op<f;Ji pbrtuni^TiV such !;aa(? •• when * iSi I over;' 3800! ). .sturdy; , 'boys>;'Moubled" ; r. ; :p'ast : fS- lord.Kitchener^ ;}sP:— bnt , .;reading': from jfis.Vface;'::Baying -'.to'' so; many-bbys 'f,"iV:"as : i .^efe. T bef6re': :■ be;;'available iifiipoifmm l a^^ : ;portibn"'bf oul'/defenders,:and ■•Jjvjalspi'be-.the rulers ; of _this;;ybuhg.;rountry. ;•«;■ (liOnd'/iapplansi) , '.'-: A'mpjig.rothfer': things. ; T,;wpuldv-like': i to i ;:hiention; r ;if,- there ; isvane;;which '-■Lord; Kitchener, ! ? to'v thousands" of. gS-.Cpeople,,-and ihat.'wasithat ; :his : first,direor', dismiss /the <'-:'?«■ boys'> : as ■' soon'.xa , - possible,' • owing; to the. that ■'; they; jSg ? iiight.'.j. gM-ijj'shelter^..' :after ]> they ;;.\ >. had : \ past.v } :-We , ;.' n0 ,:,,, hesi-S;;v;:--3a;ncy;;i.>in' Ssaying':£;,thiit:-{ v^Ve' : : . iri iH.iv'^ery^fproudft to> : Ejtoherier.: -/i'rT^ipuKgneetii/.OCoud^applause^.^fWe:- are ;%v;proud.ofithe'great/name}youjhaye won,, rweifeelc'as your,.-kinsmen,■ that. , your i,'4<ieedßi.Tefiectvnot ; bnly.-;to,':the ; honour of' '^^bui«elf;-ibuf;to.;tbe;;honour-'pf : the' Brit: ;.U'i|ish -;Army,- : and add 'lustre ;: and'.'strength;. Kj.?: to,-;:thev.whple';' of. the .-Britieh' '.people: V.. To' './■ ; .K/y-tioiiiii/.v: 'Jf&Ai-'P.Y , ': , .-; :■ ■^■-[ , '■::''■'• ■:'!;•;•;"; •'."■

μ-^he \y;':' >.-. the : work' , whichyou ■;;':"*re 'engaged-on)'; let/'me j say. ; - ; that'we % all-'jiJlookv(£orward[:-mth[■ keen'vinterest "and ::;;.S great:expectancy ;to;.'anycfec6inmendations'. :Jr;"ji'wtaM' : vyott; r .itoy.;'make/:'-iindV'i!M'-- , Msiire , ;*■■•; you'.that-the/Giyernment- inMts. turn, .on of"theivp^bple;"will;doVife best to' .■HVi'.P!^';.^Mt'.tp-JJTfhat:.we'":recogirise , '!Tnll.'be , S;S^?:'T| e ™;o^,a;^nian<who. ; ia -recbgniead to. : S--De/more'i gnalified;tKan any. other military iv> ;eipert.to ;adviso' : us. :It remains,'for' me %::fo- express,; on; behalfjof .the. Government ii; '■,■ and--. ■ people,' : onr - appreciation ■: of ■ the ;V^imdly ; :way ; iiiiwhich;Lprd;Kitchener'h4s: ;- : ?!.maf:the;mjinero , qsr.demands' on. , him that' ':■ been he,;landed; at the ;|g:;SluC : a\ireek ; .ago.-- ; could have publicly f or : his. great .kindness." . In v.^;::wnplusiori;■ , .Si^':Joseph:'e'xpressed'the hope' r;*;cv that- Lord .• Kitchener:;;would.' have long /;:- -yeaisibefore him, , , and': that if possible ,: ; i:rhe'mightadd to the laurels.he tad won. :■.}> His.-name- would vbe -handed down in y-rlistory ;a8 ,one -whq.tin': his.day,-did" more :.vv.than. r any-i;6ffier : man'>living v to -main tain glory of'the '■:y?\ Brrtishj-Empire.- -(Applause.) , '. - " '

::: : SPEECK.V ", ■C : ;.;' r d'-ffiWtenerr,:wh6;'.-on.v rising ,, 'was' ;;iV.;gT.eeted. ltfth'^eustainedVapplause, replied i'^'-ae'. ■■:>■ ;;.A : :: T^Your ; ExceUency/'MrlvPriineXMinis-' :;;;-■ ter.'-apd (3en|;le'men,—l am extremelygla'di ....; to;have...this .opportubity ,of Btatbg'h'ow :.:;. vpleased.'and.'gratified I was to receive the- ,;• -;,;. invitation .pf your - Government '■-. to;.' visit -JiV.-.tfce Dominion-ofVNew'Zealand.-'a portion .Empire'.with-which ; I have .family /;;;Vassociations,:,-and.. whose 'soldiers served «:,, lk>; wej|l-jimder, my,; couimand-in' the ; field.- : sour6e '■oi\ pride to :f:;;vypn : air that as-sqon:;as.;the war in South ;:o>S Ajfrica; broke.-.out,';::the patriotic.; spirit' of v s : .;New.:.Zeal-andera-deminded-,to .Cj-to,. take.-part'.'.with'i their' British comrades rii'-uii theTstrugglevft Thesfirst^contingent was

promptly sent- off, and these were" : followed by other contingents, untjl a total force of.'oyer.MOO'inen'in.ten contingents -had..been 'dispatched. ' -, Theso figures,. gen;'tlemen > Vtestify..'in''theniselvcs to tho: fcel'ins"of loyalty;to the "Old Country which exists-.in. this comiuunity; it is a feeling which has sprung up amongst an independent :pebplc, 'Who not' only- appreciate the greatness'-of; the 'Empire of which- they are, a part,;but : also realise^\the".responsibilities . and "^obligations'i entailed -'"if that greatn'ss:is;-,to cpntinue/.j The'.New Zealanders who fought ; under" lie-in South Africa , reflected the; feeling of their coun-try^in-their;devotion, their bravery,.and their endurance, and'in allrespects main■tained the best traditions, of.: the British Array'and of the race to which they belonged. .The- work in -various, parts of South Africa performed:by these cohtin:gent3' is. well 'knownvto you ; all, and I would: only recall : to your- memory.: the gallant stand at; Bothasburg, : when.:your men showed their' mettle, , and by their qourago won the admiration of their comrades, as well 'is 'the respect: of. -.their.ad-. ;versaricsK.(Applause.) -;fv v,/' I ' , .•':

The I .New'Defence;Bill/; .:;' : '.'■■:. '[ •■■ ';}■ '■■■, f ln'' a -country .'that ■ produces..such-' ex-.cellent;fightingvmaterial,-.it'is: only, natural that question'si of' defence should' receive --.the.; cmbst' :eaTnest-'Cbnsideration;:'.an{l 'from', my .experience I .can confidently, say; that suchtriining!is,;besides being essential for.defence,' an ; 'extremeiyValnable means of; improvingl and developing j.the physique ; every young roam who ■ undergoes. it; ,;3y. ; the ! Bill which-'has irecently : been: passed, rompnlsory;training;has;:been i introduc6d,but it must■ be remembered: that -though' inthis way the foundation has : beenlaSd, if'requires by a thoroughly sound organisation and military system ; ■ in, ordei to produce, the.. best results, -and 'to obtain; efficiency;.in, the ■most ' /economical ;and ;.. satisfactory, manner.; (Hear, :■: b«ar.). .'My ,:.>iecent memorandiim ■ .'to the'. :,6overnor:,' ot Australia v.on' -,: V defence;;- of; vthe. Commonwealth bas,now .been", published, and - although f hero,: ara .naturally ..considerable diffetencea, between:: the ,con :: ditionS'-'of-'the; islands forming,. minion "of:-' New;:' Zealand -I and-., the .Continent '.of' Anstralia, ■■: the mam r principles of'that .memorandum" will,.in ;my.'opinion, apply to'ithe", problem'beforeV.us.of.'main-: ■'tainingj.;an efficient.l.land-defence, .Wcpn-i cerning , which' you ■ have.;asked ..my;' : advice. ■Th'e';.. first ■ necessity 'in ; all. military ;,pr r : ganisations is ;ai thorough:-grounding.- forthe. men* in...the fundamental work- of their - ! professibn.-....The compii£ sory:.traiiiing:.laid' ; doiyn'-,in the'yßilr will; not bring; this:abotrt,vunless' -a twilling,; : zaalou3.spirit'iexists..:.amongsti4he: ;men. ; themsel-vesi'.'fwlip i-sHopldiSin,- the :'■ pursuance: of .itheir duty .to :become..efficient:de"fenders of -'-their {country,- .prepare'..them-, selves .for.the compulsory; work;in~camp by'constant.-and., cheerful;.;training: in : their homes. AThis; necessitates.■ the conn-.try-placing,cb'mpetent;instxuct6rs:.'iri .close f.to iiw.here.: , i..the *},meri''; live',': so should/ : be; fully structioni': in!- ■• companyr ■ and:;:.battalion' ." iv;,,;"':?:-':' ■l.r'?--;v; ,^: <iv; , -::-,vi

/ ; '.imp.ptUn<ie'V-,-,'.of':VVi'srp"vitog:'.';i'i'efficiently ! trained!;an'd disciplined '■'.'■, fighting-^men, , for ' ; yhbm""the'"departmental' services J .of : an' army/'exist. / These'■^services, ,, .which include , ,supplyj -transport, .medical-...ar-.. .rangements, .munitions of-war,t etc.,-are ; of:-vast simpottance, ! ;and!: must: eventually be 'organised: and -provided.- inproportion. to the: ■'requirements -of■' the forces ■ maintainedi -> but.. vastly.: important, as they-'become/when' you hive: your trained fighting:man,- you must remember that'.they -'aie! subsidiary:;" Tou" will , '.find -that/a sound;, military '■ organisation'-.;can- : ■ not;be';"quickly created -out-of ,wiat-;now 'exists,'-' and ,-concequently, ; peribd..?of ':'the; bld'.'Sy'stein. jjrhich has been ; found v.winting .to : what-, : evbr.new. system-.may■-■be"-adppted.> It.is'difficult,\ and, , : in,;:my-;opinibn,4-.nbt desir'ttDle, to-lay , dpwn'ahy.iprecise-rules for 'this transition^ , , for: to do -so might, and'. probably'" ; :'wbuld, ; prove . a source \of embarrassment to' the men ;who ■have 'actually -'tb./carry. 'out .•: the.work-witk : such means'as may'.be;at'their,hand.'For this'reason it seems to;'me. ; that, during this ;• period special ;-■ attention. should :■ be paid ' to:,those essentials .which are neces-•Sary;'to-iproduce,.-,in-.'cpttrsel.otjijme,,, an iefficient,, ■well-e'qji'ipped , ;'>.. ! n?htiiig'.' force. '■: When;.that./is' done,*;thenvniinor matters, which .imay.iseemV.ofi mpmentaryiimport-. ance/'will ~be< seeii tive, and can';be':adapted:-to'the:.general. Organisation ;in ;:'a- ; .sa%factory ;manner': <.. ! ■'■ : "!■■: trust .that - my' sojourn' amongstJybu and my: .contact; .with..-ypur,:.;pepple and vvour .volunteers ;will: : still' further : 6timu-' . late' that spirit of. national : 'defence which I: am-delighted-,, to.:'find so., widespread 1 ' throughout 'New : ' Zealand;.- I' hope ■ • that my visit wilTbe as'useful.tP'this-cpuntry: *is;'it.;-has ,:,been : '.pleasmg.. to me,; and >.I; jthank'':yptf'most..siiiierely", Mrin'd way in which you- : 'have"--received the toast' of my"health."?' (Applause!)(iftt-v , : ■

i; .';S ; •■•.'- "THE:"GbVERNMENT^:>fe-;v ;:'His , Excellency, in.:propo3ing 'the: toast ,bf ; . "The -Gbvernment,"'.which .not on,.the 1 .programme,' said : he 'thought.he was!.the best possible.-person to"propose this' toast,' .'.because : , a .Governor... had- nothing "to* do -with 'politics. 'He-was. always ;cpnyinccd; .on the|one hand, !, '-that' what-. ' ever' Goyenuneiit ■ .was,.'in I power 1 "was':' the best Government,-.and always!very/careful on the'., other hand-not: to. say .too much;as':'to why;heVithbught.so;: : :(Laugh-. ter.):: He: could' be- more ..brief./in'.-pro-ipbsing'th'e toast,■ than.might'-liel'/sayj' Mr.' , .Wilford on,-the''one.'side'.'ior Mr. Kraser .pn the;:p'theiiCi.(Laughter.) ./He'.;proposed the toast; of v"The tioverninent," coupled ■with-vthe'-'name';,' of >Sfc-Joseph-:' Ward..', '■' '~The.itpasfc iiwas;'duly.'-;honoured, and' a special'-markiiof', appreciation - was given :..:;.-' ' ■■ , ;':;.:" -,:.'.-. ■.:,. ,:■ .'-The'.'Prime; Minister .^returned : -thanks ifor the MndiWay.'iii- which,LprdvPlunipt ha3.-!alluded~;to>the'/Government. and'Op;positibn,'.;and.!called ! on''Vl)r.v-Findlay : to'-;reply;-further;to' ; the toast. y.--'':ii!-.:'-'.•:.•'•> ■; /•■.•■•pr^V-^dlaT'rlaiigliebly-' , elided, spbnsibility'.vby-iquoting.ah' anecdote 'bf a,pcK)r,;sp'eiaker.'.whoiwas'-asked, .a Hundred years'i/agp,/':to'..fpUow/"a ■ brilfiaht; prede-, cessor.'.Vand : did//so', v in; /they ■ following words: , .,"lvthmk ;.I- shouli: besttcpnsult your. patience .'and myVreputation ; by.saying, :'l say ; ,;;.ditto ;:,,to', v Mr. , . :■ -Burke.' "- (Laughter.) O;' ; ..■--■'" -; K; : M l ■■:-■.-:■ ,'..Crowds'outside ith'e hotel: 1 awaitedXord 'Kitchener's .yarriyal-before' the '.bahquet l . began;" and/cheered 'him; a second ; time on ■ his •; departure.:/ is /:/;-; )y{ 'i : .-,,■,.. i.Uk. ■:/-..-:..■'