The Reporter

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 35, 31 March 1894, Page 5

The Reporter

BANQUET TO THE HON. J. McKenzie. Burin a 1 bis stay in Invercargill the Hon. J. McKenzie was entertained at a banquet initiated by the members of the Southland Caledonian Society. It took place in Johnson’s Southland Club Hotel on the evening of Easter Mondaj 7 , when, despite the absence of not a few citizens on holiday-making excursions, a very large gathering of town and country residents, and graced by the presence of ladies not a few, assembled to do honour to the Minister of Lands, whose hosts had every reason to be delighted with the success which rewarded their undertaking. In the unavoidable absence in Dunedin of the mayor (Mr A. Raeside), Mr James Aitken (Presi-: dent of the Caledonian Society filled the chair, Avhile Mr D. Bissett (VicePresident) was second in command. The toasts of ‘‘ The Queen ” and “ The Governor,” proposed by Messrs Aitken and Bissett respectively, were enthusiastically honoured, and that of “The Volunteers” followed, given by Major Scandrett and acknowledged by Lieut.-Colonel Feldwick, Song—

March of the Cameron Men ” by the chairman Mr 'John Sinclair, in asking- the company to drink to The Government of New Zealand,” claimed that they had, by energy, determination, and wise legislation, lifted the colony from depression into sunshine. It was predicted of them that they would run the colony into all kinds of trouble, but instead of this they advanced the best interests of the colony, and the people of this district had shown their approval by returning a united Southland to Parliament to support them. The Ministry had shown that they meant to give Southland justice. The Seaward Bush line was being extended, and new areas being opened to the eastward and and westward. Invercargill and Southland were always ready to honour any member of the present Government, who had proved themselves to bo “ the people’s Government.”

Duet—“ Life's Dre;>m is o’er,’ , by Mrs W. Forbes Williams and Miss •Johnson. Mr McKenzie, in responding’ to the toast, which was received with musical honours, acknowledged the cordiality of its reception, and said every member of the Goverment would feel that their policy had been endorsed by the fact of such a larg-e gathering assembling- to receive one of their number. He then thanked the ladies for attending in

such numbers. If any gentleman present had been opposed to the granting of the franchise he could only conclude that its extension was a good thing if it induced the ladies to come forward and take part in social gatherings. He was sure it would be a long time, if they had to depend only on the gentlemen, before they would have heard such a, beautiful song as that to which they had listened from the ladles who had just sat down. (Laughter and apjalause). Attempts had been made to rob the Government of 1 lie credit attaching to the granting of the franchise, but for all that they had been just as much in earnest about it as any member of the Opposition. If the granting of the franchise turned out a bad thing, which he did not admit it , would, the Opposition would be the first to throw the discredit on the Government. It was their fashion to take credit for anything good done by the Government, and to blame them

for anything which they (the Opposition) held not up to the mark. He was happy to say the franchise had turned out a good thing, and the way the ladies had supported the Government at the last election proved theirgood sense. (Laughter.) With reference to Hr Sinclair’s remarks, the Government could claim, after three years’ service, that they had tried to govern the country in the interests of the people at large, and that the people thought they had done so theirverdict at the last elections proved beyond doubt. On taking office the Government had asked the people te have faith in themselves and their resources, and they had nobly re-

sponded to the call to rely on their own resources and abstain from further borrowing. This policy, had brought about more prosperous times, but he did not desire to take credit to the Government for this, further than that they had been actuated by a desire to do what was right. Mr Carswell, in proposing “ The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests,’* referred to the prosperous state of those industries and to the way ire. which settlement had been fostered and promoted by Mr McKenzie, who had proved that he was no mere carpet Minister of Lands, but one who had travelled over the colony and made himself acquainted with the requirements of the country. There was one direction in which the Government could do much for the agricultural and pastoral interests endeavouring to secure a free-trade, or at all events a fair-trade tariff between New Zealand and the Australian colonies. He hoped that the tour of the postal delegates through the colony in company with the Hon. J. G. Ward would lead to somethingbeing done in that direction. The speaker next dealt with rhe question, of agricultural education. He questioned whether, with all their eftoi-ts in the cause of education, enoug-h attention had been given to the subject, and thought greater facilities should be given young men and. women in the colony to study various branches of agriculture. For his own part he would like to see a practical sciiool of agriculture established in Southland.

Song 1 — L There was a lad was born in Kyle,” by Mr IT. S. Hunter. The toast was acknow 1 edged by"Mr L. F raser, one of Southland’s oldest, settlers, who recalled some of the difficulties encountered and overcome by the pioneers, tracing- the progress, of events from the swag - , the wheelbarrow, and the waggon stage to the advent of the iron horse. Cornet solo—Mr P. H. Mohr. The chairman next gave the toast, of the evening—the Hon. J. McKenzie and Mrs McKenzie—and supported it in a capital speech. Selection of Scottish music—Orchestra, under Mr McGregor. Mr McKenzie, in responding- to the toast, which was most enthusiastically received, recalled the fact that as a. public man he was greatly indebted to the town of Invercarg-ilh Three years ago bo was entertained at a. banquet here just after taking- office, at a time when they knew nothing-'

about him beyond his past career as a private member. They had honoured him then, as he believed, in the hope that he would stand true to his colours, to the opinions he had expressed from time to time. They had ■encouraged him to proceed Avith the programme he he had laid down on assuming office, and he was A r ery proud that after three years’ service they had again honoured him in this way. He was also indebted to his political opponents in Invercargill, for it was here he first received the title of “ The Shepherd from the hills.” (Laughter.) That title he looked upon as one of the first planks in his career as a public man, and if those who gave it him thought he would be mortified, they had never made a greater mistake. The name as applied tp him was now a household word from the North Cape to Stewart Island, and if his grandchild thought as much of it as he did, he (Mr McKenzie) would he well pleased to have been his grandfather. (Laughter.) Invercargill had given him his first banquet as a Minister. Since then he bad had many, but he never could forget their kindness on that occasion. Three years had elapsed since then, and he must conclude that their invitation to meet them that evening indicated that his actio'os in the interval had given them satisfaction. (Applause.) The speaker next dealt with the reforms so far effected in the land luavs. It had been an uphill

battle, but he had been well supported by his colleagues and by the Liberal party, and, in the administratiou of the land laws, by a staff of officers who were loj r al to the interests of the people. With regard to the future ; their Crown lands were fast disappearing, and it would be impossible to keep pace with the demand for settlement from them for any length of time. He had done his best with the remnants at his disposal to promote settlement, but even now he was unable to keep up with the demand for land; and if that were the case now, what would it be a few years hence, when the young people non- attending school grew up and wished to obtain homes for themselves P It meant that they would have to obtain some of the large estates for closer settlement, cultivation, .and occupation. (Applause.) He thought this could be done without any injustice to the present holders. He would not be a party to repudiation, or the robbery of any one of his due rights, but if it were found that large estates were blocking the way of settlement, then they had a right to get them at a fair and honest value, ao that settlement might proceed.

That was the length he would go, and next session he would submit a bill that would go a long way to assist in getting land for the young people of the colony. They could not all be tradesmen, lawyers, and doctors. A large proportion must be farmers, and they should be able to go on the land on the best terms possible, and not become tl-e serfs or tenants of companies. He hoped in his bill to be able to indicate how that could be ■done, and done without injustice to the holders of large areas and at the same time to the great benefit of the people Avho wished to be put upon the land. Hr McKenzie next referred to Ids action as Minister of Agriculture, a department in name only when be took office, but wdvich had since been organised and made of service to the farmers in a variety of ways. With reference to Mr Carswell’s remarks about an agricultural college, be was not sure that the establishment of

such an institution would be of any great benefit to a district like Southland. They bad one in Canterbury', and he doubted very much if nine out of ten farmers would not say it had been a failure and not a success. His own idea would be quite different to that of herding a number of youngmen together in a building to learn farming. His idea would be to give a bonus to a certain number of farmers in a district like Southland to take cadets and learn them farming properly on a farm. Such farmers would have to maintain a certain

standard. Anything in that way he would be willing to give assistance to. After dealing Avith the progress of .the district from an agricultural standpoint, Mr McKenzie, speaking of the chairman’s remarks as to the interest that had been taken in the Waihemo election, said that no doubt his opponent Avas put before him in the hope that if he defeated him (Mr McKenzie) it Avould bo a blow to the liberal land legislation of the colony. Mr W. B. Scandrett, in giving “The Commercial interests” (acknowledged by Mr C. Cowan) recalled the opening of the first store in Invercargill many years ago. It stood on the site now occupied by the bank of New South Wales, and the late Mr T. J. White Avas the manager under arrangement with the late Mr John Jones, Avho chartered the schooner Star to come Avith goods from Dunedin. It took her six weeks to reach her destination—Puni Creek. Then the late Mr Macandrcw thought a second store should be started, and he sent down Mr W. H. Calder, Avho erected a store Avhere the Bank of Australasia now stands. Song Innis, Avho Avas encored. “ The Southland M.H.R’s,” hy Mr R. Gilmour, Avas replied to by Messrs J. Mackintosh, J. W. Kelly, and R. McNab. Song—Mrs W. Forbes Williams. “ The Ladies,” proposed by Mr A. McKellar, was responded to by Mr Gilmour, Avho in speaking of the presence of the fair sex on such

occasions, mentioned that it meant the absence of clouds of incense—not from Araby Blest—that usually obscured the atmosphere. Song—Miss Ij. Johnson. “ The Press was given by Mr McHab, who incidentally introduced the story of a bachelor squatter of the olden days in Southland, who lost a cargo of flour and found a bride. The toast was acknowledged by Messrs Gilraour (Southland Times), J. P. Joyce (Southland Hews) and J. Ward (Southern' Cross). In the course of his remarks, Mr Jovce, who had been described by Mr Gilrnour as the father of Liberalism in Southland, said that no man who was a member of a Government owed less to the press than Mr McKenzie. The big press, the big financial press of the colony, had tried to crash him years ago, but he had appealed direct to the people, and now that he had achieved some success those papers were beginning to flatter him, and to speak well of his measures. He would warn Mr McKenzie to beware of those papers when they began to flatter—their praise was more dangerous than their hostility. They wanted to do with the Minister what the boa constrictor did 'with its victim — smooth him over and then swallow him. ( Laughter and applause.) Mr McKenzie had revolutionised the land administration of the colony, and had made it possible for the pooi’est man in it to secure a home for himself and family. He was a living’ illustration of the fact that no hostile press could hurt a man with the pluck to take the platform and fight his own battle before his fellow men and women. (Applause.)

“ The Host and Hostess” was given in felicitous terms by Mr H. S. Hunter, who Avas ay arm in praise of host Johnson, and of bis wife.Avbo bore a colonial reputation for geniality and kindness of heart. Mr Johnson made due acknowledgment, and the toast list closed with the health of the chairman and \riceehairman, by the Hon. J. McKenzie, and replied to by Messrs Aitken and Bissett. In addition to the selections mentioned, Mr A. Potter contributed “The Dear Little Shamrock ” in good style. The singing throughout was remarkably good, and the musical programme generally first-class. Mr W. P. Williams played the accompaniments admirably. The gathering dispersed shortly after midnight Avith the singing of. “ Anld Lang Syne,” and Mr McKenzie left for Dunedin by the express j on Tuesday. j