HON. T. MACKENZIE BANQUETTED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 79, 29 April 1909, Page 2

HON. T. MACKENZIE BANQUETTED.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Owaka, Last Xight.

d To-day the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, .Minister of Agriculture, Industry, and r Touriisl Resorts, ill response to an invif tation from tlie settlers, visited Owaka. lie proceeded by road and river to the J various places of scenic and industrial L , interest in the neighborhood, receiving j- a few deputations of local import en route, and planting tolara trees in what . is to be known as the "Mackenzie belt" '" at the I'ounawea domain. In the evruL ' iny; a social was held in honor of .Mr. '• .Mackenzie's elevation to Ministerial " rank, the guest being played to his seat ' by highland pipers. The chairman, in ' his opening remarks, referring t u _\]r. .Mackenzie's energy and übiuuil.v, said c lie would rather 'be that gentleman's -'- Bible than his horse. Mr. Anderson. s. member ior Matauva, in the course of if a forcible speech, .said that the man 'who n said this country should not be defendd cd to the last shilling and the last man *■ was a traitor. He hoped during the life of the present Parliament to see such A steps taken as would prevent the posL , sibility of Herman or Japanese violatim; ;s our shores. The Minister confined hiiiic, self mainly to generalities, mentioning t the need for defence, the source of ~ wealth the Tourist Department win v likely to be, and the necessitv fo r re- ' trenchinent which the Government had resolved lo face boldly.