OUR PREMIER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1753, 19 May 1906, Page 2

OUR PREMIER

BANQUET SPEECHES,

;.iy ti-loc.rarih. Press Ass'n, Copyright

Received 140 a.m , May 19. Sydney, May 18. The Now Zealanders' banquet reception to Mr Beddon was the most brilliant function yet carried out by the New Zealand community. Mr Jackson, of tbo Union Compaov, presided. Amongst tho gutßts wero members of the New Bouth Wales Cabinet, and Mr Bullen, novelist. Apologies were received from Mr Deakin and Sir W. Lyne. The chairman, in propoeing the health of the guest, said that amoDgst the names which readily occur to us as meu who had done much for the Empire wero those of Sir George Grey, Sir Henry Parkes, Sir John MoDonald, of Canada, and Mr Seddon. He paid a high tribute to the man who firßt came into public life as a champion of tbe rugged miners of Westland, and who for thirteen years had guided the destiny of New Zealand.

Mr Seddon icplied in a vigorous speech. He expressed gratitude for the way in whioh bis health had been dtuDk. The honor done the colony through him was enhanced by the presence of the Ministry of the mother State. He expressed pleasure at the statement made by Sir Malcolm MoEaoban in regard to tbe popularity of New Zealand, aod although it might be that Australia at present was not spoken of as favorably as his own oouDtry, he looked forward to the day when she would occupy the foremostS position in the Empire. He found there was a disposition on the part of leaders ir public life to ark whether this or tba' action be popular. Public men should be loaders instead of being led. They should ? fearlessly voice that which they believed to be good. He strenuously urged racial purity. Any other course meant deterioration end endangering ibe Empire. He spoke feelingly of the great mortality of infants, One of the things be was proudest of was that New Zealand bad the loweet death-rate in the world. He was determined that the system of training nursee should be oarried to suoh an extent that every hamlet and every soul would be within reaoh of trained nursiDg. One thing he intended to sea''sbout when he returned to New Zealand was the question of haviDg more New Zealand news sent to the Australian press. He proposed the health of Mr Car* rulhers, who replyiog said that no oolony was deserviog of so much respect as New Zealand at the hands of New South Wales. In the dark hours of the mother oolony, in times of drought and bush fire, New Zealand was the first to offer assistance. New Zealanders who came to New South Wales and found occupation in various walks of life were heartily welcome, because of their grit and manliness His Government were glad to follow what was good, and to leave alone that whioh they lid not agree with in New Zealand legisla tion. They had recently followed in the matter of a tourist bureau, and were Biready feeling the benefit. Mr Seddon was a leader in Imperialistic ideas, and was a leader ha waa alway- glad to follow. Lord N irtbcote entertained Mr Seddon at lunch to day