BANQUET TO MR J. A. MACPHERSON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10060, 30 January 1909, Page 4

BANQUET TO MR J. A. MACPHERSON.

(Fbom Ottb Own PvEporxer.)

A banquet was tendered to Mr J A. Macpherson, ex-member for Mount Ida, at JJaseby on Wednesday evening, and the ceremony took place at the Royal Hotel. His Worship the Mayor of Naseby (Mr J R Smith) presided, and there were a. large number of leading residents present. Apologies for noii-attendance were to hand from Sir J. G. Ward, the Hon. J. A. Millar, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Messrs R. Scott, M.P., Davey, M.P., Geo. Witty, M.P., T. Iv. Sidey, M.P., P. Kenny, R. Logan, J. S. Harris, William 0. Pitches, B. Flannery, J. M. Knight, C. E. Davey, T. C. Donnelly, B. Johnston, J. Maitland, James Home, John Bennett, Geo. Hand, J. Sheehy, J. Kerr, and many others. The loyal toast having been drunk,Mr S. Stevens, of Clyde, in proposing "Parliament of New Zealand,'' said he could but inadequately describe the good work that had been done by members. For the last sixteen years there had been only one party in power, but- the whole work had on an average given great satisfaction, and all had great cause tor gratij tude to the Parliament of New Zealand, to wluch was largely due the present state of prosperity. Kail and roadways had been opened up, and the countryside overspread with smiling fertility instead of being one vast sheep-walk. There was one measure above all others he regretted, ano' that was the second ballot.—(Applause.) Had it not been for that they would be toasting their distinguished guest as a victor. They all knew how very greatly Mr Macpherson had benefited the district, both as a statesman in Wellington and as a resident in the locality. The lion. T. Duncan, in response, said that Mi- Stephens had' remarked that the only policy measure of the Government- to which lie could take exception was the second ballot-; there was only one way of amending that, and that was to repeal it. lint it was the electors of Tuapeka who were to blame as much as the second ballot for their losing Mr Macpherson, for they polled at the first election 2 to 1 for the Government, and then after the second poll it was found they had given a majority for the Opposition. He would like to know from some of those present who at the second ballot turned to support the Opposition, just how the change was wrought-. Surely their old member Mr Macpherson must have committed some very heinous offence, or else .Mr Scott- performed sonie prodigious stroke of genius to cause such _a sudden reversal of political opinions. Now as to the Parliament: it was just what the electors made it, and if it was not all it should be then the electors were themselves to blame, as they had an opportunity every three years t-o chose the best man for the position. Few men had made a better impression on Parliament during their first three years than did Mr .Macpherson.—(Applause.) If the electors then had done the correct thing they would have returned him to representtliem for another Parliament to help on the good and prosperous work of the Dominion. The man who had done so well for theui should not have been so shabbily treated. Of the member-elect, Mr Scott, lie had nothing derogatory to say. He might prove a very good man when he got experience, but he had to begin at the beginning to learn the ways and usages of the member of Parliament. He would ask the Tuapeka electors to think this over and t.> consider well how they should act when the next election came round. They should hold meetings amongst- themselves and decide on a suitable candidate, and then the Liberal constituents, if combined, would return the candidate selected, and thus avoid the second ballot with its personal heat and enmity that should not enter into politics. By attending to this they would avoid the political blunder that- disgraced the last election proceedings of Tuapeka. The Chairman proposed "The Guest of the livening," and in doing so said it- gave him great pleasure to see so many from all parts of Otago and various quarters of the Dominion, which testified to the re-<-pect in which .Mr .Macpherson was held. In. the face of stoong opposition, .Mr Macpherson succeeded in carrying through the House the Vincent and Maniototo Hospital Bill and the .Maniototo Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, thus effecting a great saving to the ratepayer, and which is now being copied by other districts. He had been instrumental in procuring (where all their former members had failed for many years) a satisfactory lease of their race-coui-se, and putting their club in a very much better position. The County Council and ratepayers were much indebted to him for the able way in which he handled their varied requirements, and particularly for the handsome vote he secured on the Estimates for flood and snow damage, together with the valuable railway concessions of the iast two years, as well as many other privileges. He had been a most straightforward, conscientious and useful member. In presenting him with a purse of sovereigns, he wished him and his wii'o long life and every happiness and prosperity. The}- all hoped before long to see him back iti his place in Parliament.

Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Macpherson, and the "Wee Macphersons.'' The toast was drunk with musical honors. Mr Macpherson, who was enthusiastically received, said that the present occasion, as far as he was concerned, was one which bore some resemblance to au event which had occurred on the 24th November last, to wit, the declaration of the second ballot. When the heart and soul was full with, keen disappointment, or deep and great pleasure, it was hard indeed for the tongue to find words sufficiently coherent t-o express the sentiments and emotions that wildly surged within. On such occasions one was always more or less stronglv agitated and excited and therefore apt to omit the many things he would like to have said, and use words that often did not give a correct interpretation to the real feelings. But if he did: err in not conveying clearly what he felt he hoped they would give him the benefit of believing that he was endeavoring t-o do his best under the circumstances. He had been surprised when some time ago he learned that there was to be a function iu recognition of his past services to Mount Ida. He was not, however, surprised to see so many distinguished gentlemen present from the electorate, because lie had learned from past experience that when the Mount Ida people took anything in hand they did it well, and this happy occasion was no exception to the rule. For the same reason, he was not surprised to hear so many kind and complimentary letters read from loyal supporters and friends who through distance and other unavoid-able-causes were unable to be present. All this afforded him sincere and- genuine pleasure, and he could only regret, while fully appreciating the honor and distinction, that he was unable to express how r deeply he was touched by it. AVliile a member he had conscientiously endeavored to do his best. He had. felt it to be his duty when elected to sink party feeling within the borders of his own electorate and to take in hand the interests of those who were not his political supporters as heartily as those who so loyally assisted him and the party to which he was attached. During his career in Parliament he had received much valuableassistance from members in the House, and took this opportunity'to publicly acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered him by the hon. gentleman on his right (Hon. T. Y. Duncan): All this had been done with the best- of grace, willingly and cheerfully, and he could not but feel flattered at viewing this, assistance generally from members of all shades of opinion. When the result of the last election had been declared, he had felt verv keenly the prospect of being dissociated from those who had so loyally supported and kindly assisted liim, but he would, if the time had; come for him to lie by or not, do his best to further the interests of the district. He would not go into the reasons for the result of the elections. Perhaps they might ask their own consciences, and find it there. Besides, every man had a duty to his fellow, and that was to impress upon him the necessity for returning one who had' the best interests, not only of the people who supported him, but of the. whole community at heart. Regarding Mr Robert Scott, he desired to say that he was very pleased and proud to have had such ail . honest, straightforward man as an opponent. Mr Scott had always been a personal friend of his, and was-now, and if even he could assist Mr' Scott or the electorate his services would ever be at their disposal. He had no intention of going into the question of politics, but he felt he must Tefer to a reiterated statement to the effect that" at the last election the Oppositionists had spoken with, no uncertain voice, and' that the "Government was losing ground. If they would look up the returns, they would find that the Liberal Party throughout the Dominion was more powerful than before, and' was 8 per cent.

stronger than in 1905, while the Opposition votes cast had decreased by 15 per cent. The result of the second ballot was no indication that the influence of the Liberal Party was on the wane. Mr Macpherson went on to return thanks for the kind references made to his wife and family. As to the more solid element (the presentation) he did not know how to find; words to thank them. He had, however, never looked forward to pecuniary recompense, nor had he ever been actuated by the thought that what he did would ever be recognised in a substantial way. Tf he had done anything of benefit it had given him as much satisfaction as to them. Though, for a time placed outside the pale of politics, his interest in them had in no way decreased', and 1 he would again take advantage of an opportunity to take a seat in the House. WheTe that seat might be he did not know. The contemplated rearrangement of the boundaries made tne prospect so uncertain, but whatever place he stood for he would never regret having contested Mount Ida, which had given him the opportunity of meeting such a large number of notable men, and he felt sure that these'would remain his friends whether he was in or out of Parliament. All he asked them ~o do was to believe how very much he appreciated the distinction they had 1 conferred upon him. He would always have a memento in his family, for, without asking their permission, he had christened his little daughter "Ida." Mr Macpherson went on to thank them for their many acts of kindness and generosity, and spoke of the intelligent and wide grasp of political questions evinced by the dwellers on the goldfields. Mr Macpherson resumed his seat amidst ringing cheers of applause. _Mr J. Wesley Reed, in -nropoging the toast "The Mining Industry," hoped the mining in "Nasebv would resume the position it had held of old. But mining here was an industry even yet. They had tried to urge on the Government to assist thein with boring rods and a grant as well. Some goldfields here and in Australia had become extinct. Others had sunk deeper levels, getting gold' and prospects indicating that these mining towns might continue to exist indefinitely. They had instances of this in Ballarat and Bendigo. At one or two places here rood prospects had been procured, showing that pold did exist at lower levels —what miners called: good' samples. They had every reason to believe that such experiments would be crowned with success. Their truest had been instrumental in procuring a Keystone drill from America. This had been seen on the wharf at Dunedin and at Christchiu'ch. The Mines Department had not shown any initiative, and instead f.f beinsc the head, had been the tail that followAhe dog. The Government recognised that it was the pluck and courage of the miners that had made the place what it was. Hid they want the place to prosper they must not look altogether to the pastoral and agricultural industry. There was Q-old at Naseby which could, and did, pay, given sufficient water with fall and elevation. He looked forward with confidence to a revival and to Naseby becoming a very much bigger and more progressive town than ever it had been. Mr N. Nicholson, in responding, said he assured them that no man regretted more than he did the result of the election and the second ballot; but, outside of politics, there was the great friendship which they all felt lor Mr Macpherson. The only argument the Opposition could cry was: "We want a stronger Opposition." The Liberal Party, if tliey would exist, must- stick together and support those who had brought in humanitarian laws. As to the mining industry, there was ixold at deepest levels. He had worked at- the deepest levels by hydraulic fifevation the world had ever seen. The dredgmen of historic Tuapeka- were in renuest all the world over. All Tuapeka wanted was a little help and timely support and backing. Personally he was pleased to say that they had supported the Government, and 1 with all the wealth and all the Press of the Dominion against them, there they stood, supportersof a Government which had again got in bv a big majority. Mining was a matter deserving the most earnest consideration of that Government. Something might be done to better the old town of Naseby, and for other mining townships in Otago. Considering that 26 million pounds worth of gold had been taken out of Otago, surely this seemed reasonable. Mr Frederick Inder said it was admitted on all sides that the mining industry had put New Zealand far further ahead than it would have been without it. It had been said thirty yeaTs ago that Naseby was "done," but with the improvement in mining machinery and plenty ol water, he believed that Naseby would be more alive than it had ever been. If the little assistance received frotn the Government resulted in their striking gold, why, then, Naseby might yet be the means of paying off the national debt. Mr Macpherson had worked hard and done well for them.

In proposing the toast ''The Pastoral and Agricultural Interests," Mr J. Law, jun.. snid the nrospects and the reports of the last wool sales had given the people of the Dominion reason to congratulate themselves. By means of intelligent treatment the land (he wished to draw no comparison with the mining industry) would never peter out. He really did not see why the oeople should not appoint an inspector to see that the Minister lor Lands administered the department properly. They appointed an inspector to see that farmers dipped their sheep properly. The farmer should have common sense enough to do without the inspector. So should the Minister of Lands.

Mr P. Black paid a tribute to their guest- in obtaining from the Government a return relating to Crown Land.-, which showed 1 that it was to their interests to ■ret- land for their children as the runs were thrown open for settlement. He 'the speaker) had asked Mr Livingstone, who represented them on the Land Board, why land lukl not been available in certain districts. This was the reason tie had jumped up to respond before Mr Livingstone. He how left it to him to get out of it as best he could. Mr Ct. Livingstone referred to the length of his acquaintance with Mr and Mrs Macpherson. They had met at -weddings, they had met at funerals —(laugh-' ter) —and they had passed many social evenings together. He had known Mrs Macpherson since she was a child, and was now inclined to think that their late member's "good missus" was "the better man of the two." The agriculturists and pastoralists had had their fat years and their lean. But let them compare the farmers of to-day with those of 26 years ago. The agilculturists and pastoralists were the backbone of the country. The prospects in North Otago were extremely -ood at the present time, and, as to wool, prices had gone up, and there seemed 1 to be a good prospect. He denied- that the be6t of the country had been classified for a certain purpose; but; whether it was the best or the worst, if the British public wanted it, they should have it. He had before found it necessary to state that he was not to be blamed for everything done by the Land Board. H© was only one man. Mr William Guffie proposed the toast "Local Bodies," which was responded to by Mr Robert Inder. Mr M'JTeil proposed l "The Visitors,'' and the Chairman, proposed the health of the host and hostess. The health of the_ Chairman, proposed by Mr Macpherson, brought a most successful evening to a close.