THE PREMIER AT MATAMATA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1889, 13 March 1880, Page 3

THE PREMIER AT MATAMATA.

[By Telegraph.! AUCKLAND, Maroh 12. The Ministerial party reaohed Matamata in a drenching rain. A banquet was held, at which about 200 sat down, including a number of ladies. Mr Firth presided, supported by the Hone. J. Hall and J. Whitaker.

After the usual loyal toasts, Mr Firth proposed "The Health of the Premier." Mr Hall rose amidst loud cheers and responded. He said it gave him great pleasure to have to propose " Success to the Thames Navigation." He was sure everyone would feel gratified at witnessing the extensive works carried on, and at the hospitality held out by Mr Firth. He felt grateful to an extent they could not feel, as he was enabled to see a part of the colony he had never before seen. He was pleased to say the fertility of the soil, resources and natural advantages surpassed what he had expected to see. He felt grate ful as an individual and also as a Minister of the Crown at the opportunity afforded by their host for obtaining useful information. This part of the country was fertile and capable of maintaining a large population. It was equally gratifying to find not only rioh lands, but a body of settlers improving the country so rapidly. As he travelled from Auckland he noted the various improvements, but, singular to say, the further off from Auckland the greater was the amount of improvement. Others, besides himself, could see tho improvements effected by Mr Firth and his enterprising neighbours, and it was pleasant to find at the conclusion of the journey the greatest improvement of all. The general custom of colonial communities was to apply to the Government for assistance in such matters, and his hon. friend to the right (Mr Sheehan) could testify that. people had got into the habit of looking to the Government for every possible thing It ) was a very different example that Mr Firth had set. The Premier then referred to the financial position of the colony, whioh he said would compel us to be self-reliant. He paid a high tribute of praiso to Mr Firth's work, saying it would be bettor for the colony |if, in other respects, it had shown a like spirit of self-reliance. He referred to the loans raised by New Zealand, which were larger than those of the other colonies. When they got the last one they found it half pledged, and the country unable to raise further loans for three years. The Colonial expenditure had been too great, and it was necessary to reduce it. He acknowledged that it was a somewhat chilling topic to introduce to such a gathering. Yet it was a subject affecting the interests of all colonists. He would propose success to the Upper Thames navigation, hoping the same would prove a great advantage to his noble host, and all his neighbours, both to the European and Maori races, and to this part of the colony. He coupled the toast with the name of Mr J. C. Firth.

Mr Firth responded in a neat speech, and invited his guests to a trip on the river on his steamer, Kotuku. The Premier and party afterwards left Matamata for Piako.