Opunake Railway

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 30 May 1914, Page 6

Opunake Railway

COSIPLISIEXTARY BANQUET. On Thursday evening, on his return from the sod-turning ceremony at Opuu ikc, the Hon. \V. Fraser, Minister for Public Works, was entertained at a '•■n liquet by ihc Eltham citizens. Mr. T. B, Crump (Mayor) presided, and 'iiiong those present were the Hon. W. 'arncross, M.L.C., Slessrs 11. J. H. Okey ! ud ('. A. Wilkinson, Sf.P.'s.

The speeches , were much above the average, and an enjoyable evening generally was spent. Til replying to the toast of "Parlianv nt," which was proposed by the Rev. 0. W. Dent, the Hon. W. Carncross defended the party system of government, mentioning that no privilege gained had been secured except by party. The part.v that happened to be in power nt any time was watched so closely by the Opposition that if there were any corruption or "graft" immediitely exposed. The present Prime Minister sat in his scat on the Opposition benches year after year, never being absent. He believed that it was his duty to be there to watch the Government in the interests of the country. YV ith all the faults of party government he had not yet seen the man who could supply a satisfactory substitute for it. Referring to the proposal for an elective executive, he said that if they had that they were bound to introduce the.paa-ty system into it. In his opinion, however, they would not have it on 'open party lines, but they would have an underground party system. On tlie 'question of an elective Upper House lie thought it was a great pity that tlie country was inclined to accept the aocalled reform from any party. He Iron--I.'stly and earnestly believed that the present system was the best. lie was not speaking from a personal point of view, for his political life was of the past, and not of the future.

Sir. If. Okey said that numerous Bills came before the House which were never intended to be put oil the Statute Book. They were not all brought down by Slinistcrs. Slany were in the hands of private members. But these Bills had to be discussed. They could not be thrown out in one act. A period of six weeks, after the opening of Parliament, was allowed for such measures, and he might say that the majority of that time was practically wasted. He to think it was a very terrible place for wasting tim?, but it was astonishing bow quickly they fell into the ways of the House. However, they had done some good work, and he was satisfied they were going to do more. From a personal point of view, it. would pa'.* him better to be out of the House, and attend to his worfk on the farm. But his services were at the disposal of the people so long as thev required' them.

Sir. C. A. Wilkinson said there were certainly occasions when members of I Parliament- were not treated as tliev ] should be, not but that he had been ' treated very well. Thev were some- ! times subjected to very 'flippant criticisms. Bnt in the public mind there was an idea that members were making ' a good thing out of it. Tie would like to say that the man with average business ability wa.s making a monetary "orifice when he entered Parliament. He was pleased to think that they had men in the country who v/cre willing to give their service's for the benefit of that country. He alluded to the case of Sir. Okey, who, he felt sure, was making a big monetary sacrifice. He believed thev had in the New Zealand Parliament one that could be placed upon an equality with any Parliament in the world, and was quite satisfied that it_ was a Parliament of which thev might well be proud. One very important matter was touched upon by Mr. Carncross, and that was the question of the Legislative Council. When he last stood as Parliamentary candidate this constituency, 'he had very definitely expressed the view that Hie I'pper House should lie an elective house.. He would no doubt be culled to account for this, but lie was going to admit, now, and on the platform later, that he had materially changed his views. ("Hear, hear." and applause). He thought they would agree with him that the loss of the services of a man like Sir. Oliver Samuel, of New Plymouth, which tliev would undoubtedly sustain under an elective system, would not be in the best interests of the country, for Mr. Samuel was a man of undoubted ability, of high .standing in ins profession, end of vast experience. He had to confess that his views had' materially changed, Jfr. Wilkinson then thanked the Minister for his ready acceptance of the invitation to visit the constituency and tlie invitation to dine witn them that night. Ministers had very little time to themselves, but Sir. I-rase 1- hud .joined in with them in a very good-hearted manner. Oil behalf of the. town and district lie assured Mr. J Fraser that they esteemed his visit verv I much. CApplau.se). He was also verv pleased to see Mr. Okey present. (Applause). 1 '

The. next tca.st was that of 'Gnr I Giiept, the Hon. W. Eraser," proposed in appi-op,"' 1 "-'- 1 -' torois by the chairman. Mr. Eraser, in to'J some capital stories of his experiences lu ll ' early days of Otago. 'Tie also refevren to his public life, which extended over a period of nearly fifty years, and, concluding an interesting speech, and one quite out of the ordinary run of postprandial ministerial speeches, said lie hii'l enjoyed every minute of his visit to the district, and was gratilled at being able to assist them in obtaining wlnit was very near to their hearts—the railway.

In replying to the toast of '"Success to the Opnnake town and district." proposed bv STr. .T. SleVeagh in a humorous and pithy speech, Sir. E. Maxwell said they were greatly thankful to the powers flint be and the member for the dislrict for the commencement, of the railway. They li.id been handicapped throughout by lack of communication ivifh the railway and the heavy cost of transport, but soon they wouhl be in a much better position. Tliey ivere •ilm, thankful for the alteration' to the native land laws. This meant much to the. district, more, perhaps, than some would imagine. Tho acquirement of *thc freehold, lie was sure, would make .1 very great, diflerence to the prospr-rity ol the district.. A more hard-working and persevering member could not be found limn fh irs. (Hear, hear). There r.-m.umd. however, one thing tli-.it they wanted, and that was railway eoiinecl iea right tl rough, from Opunakc to Xew Plymouth via the coast.

Other toasts proposed were "Local Bodies," '-The Pre' and "The ("hoiriv an."