THE BANQUET.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 486, 27 July 1912, Page 5

THE BANQUET.

In the evening a complimentary banquet was tendered to the Minister by the citizens at the Municipal Hall. The Mayor (Mr E. H. Hardy) presided, and there were also present, Messrs C. K. Wilson and J. A. Young. M's.P.; Mr Shaw, chairman of Kawhia County Council; Mr C. Johnston, chairman of Raglan County Council; and a number of visitors from Te Awamutu and other districts. After ihe usual loyal toast had been drunk the toast of Parliament was proposed by Mr Boddie. The speaker referred to the honour conferred upon the district by being selected as the first p'ace for an official visit. He believed it was warranted and was sure the Cabinet would find that special circumstances existed in the King Country which merited special consideration. Referring to the position held by the Minister and its groat connection with the district. Mr Boddie said any Minister who was privileged to take part in the development of the country was engaged in a noble work. One only had to see the great extent of country in this district yet to bo brought in to realise that the enormous production of the district in future was to have a tremendous influence on the prosperity of the whole Dominion. Mr Boddie spoke highly of the members present. In Mr Wilson the district had a thoroughly capable representative who would justify his selection. He also paid a tribute to the ability of Mr Young with whom he had been associated on the Waikato Hospital Board. Mr Wilson, who was received with cheers, expressed pleasure at the reception tendered the Minister. Mr Massey had also sent a message _to the effect that he was always with them and always intended to be. The district had many requirements to fill in order to progress. Good roads were a commercial necessity, and an urgent social necessity in order that the women of the district should no longer be imprisoned. The women of the country, the mothers of our children were in jeopardy of their lives under present conditions. The gift of the Dreadnought had sent a thrill of patriotic pleasure throughout th* country. «Mr Massey intimated that two or three millions were to be devoted to providing roads a thrill of pleasure transcending !|any other sentiment would be fell. Mr Wilson

eulogised the now Cabinet and said the new members were receiving great aspistance from the older members It had been said the late elec tion had been won by the Reform Party through misrepresentation and slander. That was nnt so. The election had been won through the in-

domitable pluck and statesmanlike actions of their leader. The party now in office had no less than twentyeight farmers behind it. The speaker s war cry would be freehold for farmers and freehold of native lands. Nothing would be taken from the Maori. Fair and considerate treatment would be extended to them, but the existing conditions which constiI tuted a bar to progress would have to

bo altered. Whatever was in him would be exerted at all limes for the benetfit of his constituents mid would be given freely. Mr J. A. Young. M.P., who was greeted with applause, fluid it was stated that a new Parliamentarian generally spoke what he thought; the second year he thought and refrained from spcec'.i; .'iiibKcquently he awoke what ho thought would picas* the crowd. That wan not the practice of the party of which he was a member. The people realised this and the change which had taken place was inevitable and was for the good of the Dominion. Ho eulogised Mr Masscy and the new Cabinet. Referring to the Minister for Public Works, Mr Young said that Mr Frasor was recognised as one of the authorities on State finance and it was important that the gentleman who had charge of the Public Works Department should understand finance in all its details. Prom experience he knew of the hardships of pioneering, and the Minister had shown wisdom in coining to the district. In Mr Wilson we had a representative who was n good solid fighter who would get recognition for the back blocks. In referring to wasteful expenditure the speaker said there were men working at the Parliamentary buildings who were not moving a yard of earth a day and getting paid ten shillings. From far and near expressions of satisfaction at the change of Government were being received, and lie was sure such expressions would lie justified.

The toast of Local Bodies was proposed by Mr ,]. Wall «nil responded <•» by Messrs A. ScholtM Waitomo County, Shaw Kawhia County, .Johnstone, Raglan County, ami G. P. Finlay. Te Kuiti Borough.

The toast of the Minister was propoed by Mr Hardy, who referred briefly to the needs of the district and the necessity for an alteration of the position with respect to native lands.

Mr Fraser, in reply, said he was no longer a free lance, and had to weigh his words. The policy of the new Cabinet would be announced by the chief of the party. He regarded Mr Masaey as a man worth following, and all who know him felt they were dealing with a man. There had been silly rumours that the Reform party was dissatisfied with its leader. There was not a word of truth in that. Ho eulogised Mr Wilson, M.P., for his energy, and for the interest ho tuok in the district. A Minister had to weigh the claims of every district, but ho recognised that some were more urgent than others, and ho was prepared to give tiip baclc blocks ./.very consideration. He would give all possible assistance, but this year ho would have to trust a good deal to the officers of the department. Subsequently, he would have a better personal acquaintance with the different districts. It bad become a practice in some district* to always ask more than thev expected, and so the applications for public works always exceeded the money available by four or five The result was much cutting down, and mistake were made. Ho'felt strongly that; the svsloei wan wrone:. and Ho meant to do his utmost to abolish it. Ho believed in r.nkiog local liodies do the work", in abolishing the system of grants and giving local bodies assistance testable financ. Ho would see' that :20s w ;rl.h of work was got for 20s. He expecte 1 thai; great chances would be necosMry in allocating money, but so .Tie little tirr.o must elanse before this could be done, or mistakes would be made. Tha statement broadly circulated that tho Reform party was opposed to borrowing was contrary to fart. TluyweiM not opnosed to borrowing but fh > manner of recent borrawimr. »'id to t'<" mannnr'of recent expenditure. All the Minister" knew that immense development was still necessary in New Zealand. What was (ho good of railways if the people did not have roads to get to them? He believed the present Government was going to get; a chance to show what it would do. He was confident that the result would be beneficial. He hoped to have itsaid of him at the end of bis term of nfficn (hat he wan more a man of deeds than of words. Mr J. F. Walsh, in a capital speech, proposed the toast; of the Agricultural and Pastoral Interests and Major Luak and Mr R. M. Somervillo responded. The Ladies, proposed by Mr H. Mussen was responded to by Messrs Brathwaite and Westmae.ott. The Press, was proposed by Mr E. Martin and responded to by Messrs Matthew and Quick. During tho evening songs were cort.ribut=d bv Messrs Phekmao. llonry, Branson, Lusk an.l Pric<-\ Mr Branson played the accompaniments in finished style. The gathering concluded with Auld Lang Syne. The Minister returned to Wellington bv the nicht express, boiii't accompanied to tho station by Messrs Wilson and Young, M's.P., and a large number of friends.