BANQUET TO THE HON. J. BRYCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1018, 31 December 1881, Page 3

BANQUET TO THE HON. J. BRYCE.

In response to the toast of his health Mr Bryce said that the people of Wanganui had been to his virtues over kind, and he considered the present reception another proof. He had never put himself forward for public position unless in duty bound. Referring to the resignation of his seat in the Ministry he said the time came when his former colleagues realised his policy as the only possible one, and asked him to rejoin and fill up the vacant portfolio. Alluding to the cause of trouble on the coast, he quoted Buckle, re the effect of scenery upon the character, and said he believed the scenery of this coast was a great cause of religious frenzy. He instanced Te Ua, the author of Ilauhauism ; Motu, the author of another superstition, and several others, together with Te Whiti, all living under the shadow of Mount Egmont. Te Wliiti’s frenzy was difficult to describe. It was much more potent over his followers than any previous case. The natives for months together were carrying clothes to cover the bodies of those whom Te Whiti would restore to life. He ridiculed the statement to the effect that Te Whiti wished to take his grievances to a court of law. The idea’never entered his head, and 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, if not of the w hole world. Having frenzy of this kind to deal with, he recognised that the danger was extreme. They were at the mercy of a madman. All through the work had been carried out with great firmness, and with no harshness, and no insult offered to the Natives. He believed he could have met the Natives with less force, but the result would be committing a great blunder, and w'ould have been inviting bloodshed. Therefore he wished to augment the force by the volunteers. Had one shot been fired, though by accident, there wasno telling where the bloodshed would have stopped. Men were wise after the event, and doubtless said they knew there would be no war. He never - knew that, and was sure there had been the utmost.danger of it. Referring to the volunteers, Mr Bryce said he thought their response to the call of duty had a very large significance. it was New Zealand’s misfortune to be colonised from many ■countries, which might have resulted in the non-development of a national spirit. The gallant response of 4,000 •or 5,000 volunteers proved that there was no lack of really national spirit in this Colony, which would increasingly ■develop. While spdhking on this point he would repeat what he had said in commendation of them at Parihaka. Upon another subject he might be expected to say something. He alluded to the stoppage of Press reporters at Parihaka. He felt it his duty to exclude them lest an accident might happen to occasion overt acts on the part of the Natives and cause war. It had been said he wished to keep his proceedings secret. He thought the charge absurd, while surrounded by several thousands of volunteers and 2,000 Natives. He might mention an instance, showing his opinion that the risk of admitting special correspondents was not unfoum ded. He became aware that oife of these at the boarding-house freqifented by them declared it would r good thing if Mr Bryce was shot through the head. Had this taken place, it meant the death of the whci’e of the ■'N atives assembled there. He would have been the meanest of men had the thought of criticism prevented his acting as he conscieniiijnsly believed was right. He again Jhanked them for the great honor which they had heaped upon him.