Banquet to the Premier at Westport.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5011, 3 February 1885, Page 2

Banquet to the Premier at Westport.

(Pjbb Pbess Association.)

Westpobt, This day.

Messrs Stout (Premier) and Larnach (Minister of Mines) were entertained at a banquet lost -night Replying- to the toast of " The' Ministry," Mr Stout, man excellent speech, said hi* experience as a schoolmaster might enable him to better carry out his fluty as Minister of Efluca* tion. Referring to the laying of the first stone of the harbor works, he said he was there doing something to build up the colony. He showed how the coal trade effected many industries* of the colony. As the civilisation of the world depended upon coal, Jhcy had to look to Greymouth nnd Westport to give such an impetus to trade as to make New Zealand a great nation. Alluding to the Hineinoa mystery, he said that to the Pacific Islands NewZealand was to be the centre of enlistment, being in the centre of Southern Hemisphere. That was the object they had in view when they brought before the House the Government proposals in reference to Samoa and the rxtension of civilisation among its inhabitants. No honest efforts-in that direction in future would be in vain. His visit to, this part of the coast was to gain information, and to enable them to submit next session a more complete scheme of reduction in Government expenditure than any Ministry had ever brought forward, efter such a short terra of office. It was impossible to carry on the system of local government nowin vogue, and when Parliament met, his Government would submit some I reforms which would make local govern ment more economical and useful.