BANQUET TO HON. J. BRYCE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2403, 17 December 1881, Page 3

BANQUET TO HON. J. BRYCE.

[PBBBB ASSOCIATION TULKGRAM.] WANGANUI, December 16. A banquet to the Hon. Jdm Bryce took place last evening in the Princess Theatre. Some 150 guests were present. Tho chair was occupied by Mr Robert Pharazyn, and the vicechairs by Mr F. B. Jackson, Colonel Gorton, and Mr John Morgan. After the usual loyal toasts had been disposed of, the chairman proposed the toast of the evening, “The Hon. John Bryce.” He regretted that he lacked the eloquence necessary to do it justice, but was glad to think those present knew Mr Bryce too well to require him to say much. Their strong affection and regard (or Mr Bryce were due to the fact that though working for himself and family, he yet found time to serve the public also. [Applause.] Throughout his career, whether in connection with local bodies, and even when serving in the volunteer force at an earlier period, his one ambition always was to serve the public rather than himself. Allusion was then made to Mr Bryce’s services as M.H.E , and subsequently in the Ministry. His retirement from the Ministry twelve months ago refloated honor upon him and his rejoining the Ministry was a credit to himself and the Government. His action throughout the Patihaka business redounded to his credit. Ihe speaker concluded his remarks amid great applause. Mr Bryce, who was greeted wiib prolonged applause, said the people of Wangsnuijbad b. en to his virtues ever kind, and ha considered the present reception another proof. He had never put himself forward for a pubic position unless in duty bound. Referring to a remark of the chairman re a charge of incpnsLtenoy, ha did not think he need defend himself, and thought their presence there due to what took place at Parihaka. Referring to his resignation from the Ministry, he said tho time came when his former colleagues realised that his policy was the only possible one, and asked him to rejoin them and fill up the vacant portfolio. Alluding to the cause of trouble on the coast, he quoted Buckle re the effect of scenery upon character, and believe ' tha scenery of this coast a great cause of religions frenzy. He instanced Te Huia the author of Hau Hauism. Motn, the author of another superstition, and several others, together with Te Whiti, all living under the shadow of Mount Kgmont. To Whiti’a fenzy was difficult to describe, and was much more potent over his followers than any previous one. The Natives, for months together, had been carrying clothes to cover the bodies of those To Whiti would restore to life. Ho ridiculed tho statement to the effect that Te Whiti wished to take his grievances to a Court of law. The idea never entered his head ; if mentioned, he treated it with scorn. Te Whiti believed, and taught his followers to believe, that he was destined to the sovereignty of the whole island, it not of tho whole world. Having a frenzy of this kind to deal with, it would be recognised that the danger was extreme. They were at the mercy of a madman, and although tha work had been carried ont with great firmness, no harshness and no insult had been offered to tho Natives. He believed he could have met the Natives with a less force, bnt the result would have bean the committing of a great blunder to invito bloodshed. He therefore wished to augment the force by the voln teers. Had one shot been fired, though by accident, there was no telling where bloodshed would have stopped. [Here occurs an unintelligible passage.] Men were wit e after tho event, and doubtless hud said they knew there would be no war. Ho never knew that ; and was sure there had been the utmost danger of it. Referring to the Volunteers, M- Bryce said he thought their response to tho call of duty had a very large significance. New Zealand had the misfortune to be colonized from many centres, which might have resulted in'tbe nondevelopment of a national spirit. The gallant response of some 4000 or 5000 Volunteers proved that there was no lack of a really national spirit in this colony, which would increasingly develope And while speaking on this point ho would repeat what he had said in commendation of them at Paribaka. Upon another subject he might be expected to say something. Ho alluded to the stoppage of the press reporters at Patihaka. He had seen telegrams by press corn spendents praising him for excluding the public, while be admitted the press specials, and felt it his duty to include the latter, lest an accident might happen to occasion an overt act on the part of tho Natives and occasion war. It had been said that ho wished to keep his proceedings secret. He thought the charge absurd while surrounded by several tbonsand volunteers and 2000 Natives. He might mention an instance showing that his opinion of tho risk of admit ting specials was net nnfoun ed. Mo became aware that one of these specials at tin boarding house frequented by them, do dared it would bo a good thing if Brycs w a shot through the head. Had this taken place it meant tha death of tho wh da of tho Nativeassembled there. Ho should have been till meanest of men had the thought of criticism prevented his acting as he conscien'ionsly believed was right. He again thanked th- m for the great honors which they bad heaped npo . him. ATr Bryce resumed his sort amidst deafening applause, which had frequently interrupted hi:speech.