Mr Duthie's Little Anecdote.

Manawatu Herald, 16 July 1898, Page 2

Mr Duthie's Little Anecdote.

* In responding to the welcome speechei at the Wellington Opera^ Hou?e on Saturday night, Mr John Duthie, M.H.8., in the course of some very interesting remark*, is rrported to have said that he heard very little politics in London, bot their Premier was not forgotten there. (Laughter.) They fonnd oot hia stonewalling propensities at a very ■ early stage. At banquets in London r it was customery to cat yonr speeches down to ten minutes. That wm the limit, however. Did tbey think ihe Premier of New Zealand only spoke for twenty minates ?. (Laughter.) He was a guest afc a dinner j_t the Cecil Hotel given in his honour by gentleman connected with the sbipp- , ing interests. It took him over an j hour to respond to the toast of hia health, (Laughter.) rHe lectured them about freights. Then he spoke about the British flag, and his voice broke down in tbe accustomed way when he spoke about the dear old flag. (Loud applause.) Then he returned to the freights again, and said if they were not careful the £4,000,000 worth of trade which New Zealand did, wonid ba takagpjr from them. (Laughter.). One 4*^^ them said, " Why, my firm carries £9,000,000 worth every year outside

New Zealand altogether." Afc I another dinner given subsequently ' he was told at the end of twenty minutes, " Don't spread it out too much." (Laughter.) For another ten minutes he encroached on the patience of the people. (Laughter.) Then a number of them started to go away, inoluding Lord Onslow, who was also down for a speech, but could not wait. (Laughter.) Still he went on talking, till afc lasfc a commifcteemann sent along a note ; " For God's sake leave, off " (Loud applause.) Whioh he did when raff ~the people at the banquet left the room, and no doubt he had It ft unsaid half of what he had intended to say. (Laughter.) Since thai day over a year, ago no New Zealander had been asked to speak at a public function, (" Oh ") and laughter.