BANQUET TO MR W. B. PERCIVAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2269, 20 October 1891, Page 4

BANQUET TO MR W. B. PERCIVAL.

The banquet to Mr. W. B. Percival at Christchurch, on Thursday evening, was very largely attended, and the proceedings were marked with great enthusiasm. Mr C. Louisson (ex-mayor) occupied the chair, having his Excellency the Governor and the Premier on his right, and the guest of the evening and the Speaker of the House of Representatives "on his left. Apologies for nonattendance were received from Sir John Hall, the Hon. W. Rolleston, and others. In responding to the toast of his Excellency’s Advisers, the Premier, who on rising -was greeted with loud applause, said De was an entire stranger to a Christchurch audience. He owed the people of Christchurch an apology for, in a manner speaking, depriving the city of an excellent representative. The Ministry had aimed with laborious efforts to pass measures for the benefit of the whole community. Looking back, he claimed that the Ministry had placed on the Statute Book a number of measures for the good of the people as a whole. In regard to the appointment of their guest as Agent-General, he would like to say just a word or two. The only objection that had been raised was that Mr Perceval was too young a man. He denied that that was a fault, and,speaking from experience, he could say that whenever Mr Perceval was called upon to fulfil any duties he had risen to the occasion. It was quite true he would do credit to the colony in London. The duties of Agent-General were far more onerous than was supposed, but they could with confidence rely that Mr Perceval had the necessary ability and tact. Part of the duty was to bring before the people of the old country the advantages of the colony, more especially the farming classes, and such a duty could be placed in no better hands than those of Mr Perceval, When Mr Perceval returned in three years he was sure his record would be a good one, and that his old constituents would feel proud of him. In conclusion, he would say that, however much or however little the Ministry had done, their whole object was to promote the welfare of the whole people of New Zealand.

Lord Onslow proposed the toast of “ The Agent-general,” and in doing said he was glad of the opportunity. When he (Lord Onslow) left England his appointment was said to be a new deso with Mr Perceval. He had heard it said no one who had not attained Cabinet rank should be appointed to a post which it was supposed was an agreeable one, and to carry with it certain emoluments —in colonial vernacular he should perhaps say it was a “ soft billet with a good screw.” Well, £I2OO might be a handsome in a country where mutton was 3d and education free ; but in London, with high rents and dispensing hospitality as a representative of a great colony, it would not go far. There was one thing an Agent-general got, and that was very valuable experience. The Houses of Parliament were always open to him. He had an opportunity of meeting statesmen, not only of the old country, but from all parts of the empire, and such experience was interesting to those whose political career was done, but to young men it was invaluable. When he came to New Zealand he had an opportunity of going to other colonies, and one reason which swayed him in electing to come to New Zealand was the Agent general. He had the honor of acquaintance with Sir F. D. Bell, and he found in him a perfect gentleman, considerate for all other men, and sparing himself in nothing and proud of the colony and people of the colony. He (Lord Onslow) naturally thought if all New Zealanders were like the Agent-general it must be a pleasant place. He thought Mr Perceval no unworthy successor to Sir F. D. Bell. Mr Perceval had been called a party man, but there was nothing more honourable in a man than true allegiance to party. A feature of public life in England was that when a person was appointed to a high office immediately all men forgot party animosities and looked on the appointed as the common representative of all the people. He did not know if that was so in New Zealand, but he trusted it was. His Excellency then went on to refer to the duties of Agentgeneral, saying one was to combat ignorance in regard to the colony. He blushed for his country when he read in' the Times, referring to the long passn/A of H.M.S. Dart from New Zealand -to Sydney, that the vessel being out 4&hours must have perished or called in at some port on the way. He hoped Mr Perceval, before he left, would give his attention towards the immigration' question, and that he would get instructions to induce, agricultural labourers with small capital' to come out. Mr Perceval had borne a . blameless character, and of his future life he hoped that of the many years of unbroken success none would, be more so than his three years as' Agenfrgeneral.

Mr Perceval thought that in referring ■ to him ' they had spoken of the Agentgeneral, in which position he had so. far made no false steps. The kind things said of him he would remember, not as his due, but as things to aspire to. It was to • the people of Christchurch he owed hia present position, who during his political career had treated him with unvarying kindness. The deep gratitude he felt should never be forgotten. He recognised to the full the difficulties of the task he was rindertaking. He felt a diffidence in following the illustrious men who had held the position. When he thought of Dr Featherstone, Sir J. Vogel, and Sir F. D.J3ell, he thought of men whom the colony delighted to honor, and who had won fame not only in the colony, but in the mother country. There was this, however, that in them he had models, to copy, and in the records of the , office

he would have guides of the greatest benefit. Long ago, when in London, he thought to himself it would be a happy day when we could send a colonial Home to represent us, and for the reason that every day the alarming ignorance of many in regard to the colonies was met with, and he would say it ought to be a proud day when one brought up in the colony, a local product, received the appointment. He rather quaked when it was he that was the exemplification. His ambition was not to disgrace Young New Zealand. He saw around him many young men who had grown up with him, and he should try worthily to uphold the honour of the young colonists. He had his heart in the work he had undertaken, and with good help he would carry it out. There could be no question that New Zealand presented a better home for the small farmer than any of the other colonies, and it would be his endeavor to induce that class of settlers to emigrate. When he read of the enormous expenditure in connection with the tourists’ traffic in Switzerland he thought what a lot remained to be done here, where the scenery was unsurpassed, to induce tourists. He hardly knew how to thank his friends for the great honor done him, which was all the greater seeing in what a short time the whole affair had been got up. They must not think he was going to London to stay. He hoped to return and be of use to his country, ending his clays where they began.