VISIT OF THE PREMIER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2161, 3 December 1885, Page 2

VISIT OF THE PREMIER.

Presentation. The Hon. R. Stout, Premier, arrived by the midday train, from Wellington, yesterday, being joined at Carterton by Mr G. Beetham, M.H.R, About thirty people, including M. Casolberg, Mayor, and five members of the Borough Council, assembled on the platform. Un stepping from the platform- Mr Stout was introduced to the Mayor and Councillors, and Mr R. Brown, Town Clerk, read the fol--1 lowing address, which had been neatly engrossed by Mr F. W. Green : "To the Hon, Robert Stout, "Premier of Now Zealand. " On behalf of the Borough Council and Burgesses of Masterton, I have to tender you a hearty welcome on the occasion of your, present visit to this Borough, I .oan assuro you that the object of yoiir visit, namely, to deliver a lecture, which I am confident will prov» replete with pleasure and instruction to every listener, is fullyappreciated by the population, and that your brief stay may be as pleasant to yourself aa it is likely to be profitable to those with whom you are brought in contact. "M. Caselberg, Mayor," Mr Stout in replying thanked them for the very kind address, and said he had no doubt that so far as ho himHelf was concerned, the visit would be as it had been described, a very pleasant one. He only regretted that his public duties had prevented him from paying the township an earlier visit. The place was one that he had always admired for its situation and surroundings. He hoped he should be enabled during his present visit to make himself acquainted with the people and the wants of the place. Three cheers were given for Mr Stout, who then took his seat in a djag driven by Mr James Macara, and, accompanied by the Mayor and several Councillors, drove to the private residence of Mr Caselberg, whose guest he became for the day. During the afternoon Mr Stout again droyo out, and visited the Public. School and Hospital, being accompanied by Mr ,1. 0. Boddington, chairman of the Schoel Committee and HospitarCommittee, and the Mayor, Ho made a close inspection of the school, and spent, some time among the pupils in the higher standards, to many of ■whom''he put questions. At the Hospital, he visited

all the wards. (X returning to Master-' ( ton,-Mr Stout'inspected the Institute, 'and in each instance expressed himself ■highly pleased with what he saw. ' » The Luncheon. ' At 6 o'clock Mr' Stout was entertained at lunch at the Club Hotel. The tables were furnished by the host, Mr Elkins, 1 with all the delicacies of the Beason; and were most tastefully laid. His Worship the Mayor presided, and had on Mb right the guest of the day, while on his left he was supported by Mr G. Beetham, M.H.R., the member tor the district. Forty-three in all sat down. Justice having been done to the repast, The Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were duly honored. The Chairman said he had now to propose the toast of the day, and felt proud that the honor had fallen upon him to do so. He would propose the health of their guest, Mr Stout, the Premier of New Zealand, It had been his intention'to make a most elaborate speech on that occasion, and he had it all prepared the night before; but unfortunately he had forgotten it all (Laughter). He waßßure, however, that they would all fill their glasses and drink the health of their guest in a bumper. Mr Stout, who rose amidst loud applause, said he mußt first of all thank them for the kind manner in which they i had drunk his health, and for the kindness he had received since his arrival. When he promised to come to Mastertori he expected no reception of any kind, but to come and go quietly. A meeting like that was not an occasion for entering into party politics, and' he would carefully avoid them. He would, however, say that if they always gave each other credit for good intentions, they would smooth over many of fclieir difficulties in political affairs. Their present Parliament was one they might well be proud of. The parties being very much broken up made government very difficult. At Home they had strict party lines, which were carefully followed, but here that was different, and there had been nothing to distinguish parties for a long time, In Now Zealand they had no capital which they could call a inp'ropolls, as they had in Victoria and New South Wales. In place of that they had four centres, and that also added to their difficulties. Again, the colony stretched from subtropical Auckland to the much milder Southland, which mado it- exceedingly difficult to meet all wants of the different districts. Every Governmenfsimply had to do the best it could, and he hoped they would give eveiy Government credit for ,' doing its best for all parts of the colony. If time allowed he would come up'again, when he hoped he would be enabled to make himself better acquainted with their wants, The backbone of a country was its producers, and they would have to look after them first of all. He had been struck with the progress of the district that day, ana he had seen things that did them the greatest credit. They had a splendid school, which was well taught, a most creditable park, and the most clean and tidy hospital he had ever seen, In conclusion, he thanked them heartily for the way he had been received, and said would not readily forget his present visit to the place. (Applause), Mr Meredith proposed the "welfare of . commerce and trade in the district," and coupled with it the names of Messrs Caselberg, W. Lawes, and L, J. Hooper. Mr Caselberg had risen among them from veiy small means, He took thinga as he found them, and he was now honored and respected by all as one who carried on , his business in tho most honorable and straightforward manner. In Mr Lowes they had a gentleman who had materially added to the trade and prosperity of Masterfcon, by drawing a very important portion of the commerce of the district to it—Applause. 'Mr Caselberg said that he had done the beat he could for himself, and if he told them that it was also for .the good of Masterton, some of them would perhaps believe him, while others would be sceptical. (Laughter). He thought that those who got on well generally, also helped alone the place they lived in. He had tried liis best to get on, and was pleased to see that he had succeeded, for he was over head and cars in debt. (Laughter and applause,) Mr Lowes responded to fchetoast with a considerable amount of pleasure. He thought they would all agree that he had a very high opinion of Masterton.' He believed that Masterton was commercially as sound as any town in New Zealand. He spoko as one who had some experience when he said that he believed the' trade of the place was rapidly extending, and that the trade done in a week now not long ago took a year. Masterton was not' like most inland townships, likely to be affected by the railway passing through it. He believed it would he the very opposite with Masterton, and that the construction of the line through the FortyMile Bush would in reality enhance its trade, and that it would not suffer' as many parts had suffered (applause), Mr Hooper said that after what Messrs Caselberg and Lowes had said there was very little left for him, and he could therefore only thank them for the manner in which they, had responded to the toast,

The Chairman proposed the "Pastoral interests of the district," and coupled with it the names of Messrs Beetham and Meredith. "

Mr G. Beetham, M.H.R., rose amidst loud applause. He said he had to thank 1 them for the reception they had given him. They all knew that at present they could hardly be considered an agricultural community, but he thought that the time would soon be coming. In the meantime, however, it was the Pastoral interests that they must look to. Every man who raised a few sheep, pigs or, cows was directly interested in pastoral pursuits, He was convinced that the Premiw, though not a member of the profession, so to say, would do his best to support such an important interest. He alluded to the relations-of the two 'races in the District, and said that they had always been of the most friendly nature, and that thcy.had worked shoulder to ihoulder, (Applause). He was glad that the Premier was about to visit the bush settlements. There was an enormous future before those districts, and if they were opened they would advance of their own power with rapid strides (Loud applause), Mr Meredith thanked them for relegating a portion of the toast to him. He must go a little farther than Mr Beetham, and say that every man, woman, and child in the colony, was concerned in the pastoral interests, At one time it was believed that only the grower was interested in theprice of wool and mutton, That question was now differently understood, for it was found that all were deeply interested. He would take the opportunity to draw their attention to the tremendous competition from South. America that the pastoral interests of New Zealand were just now experiencing, and he .hoped on that account the Legislature would not overload them with taxation, as they were ' the greatest exporters, and the exporters were really the working bees in the hive. He did not wish to arrogate anything, for in reality they all helped.' They recently had an exhibition of stock, and of the products of agricultural and pastoral pursuits in Mastertoiij and he ■ could say that'' they had seen nothing, like it for many years that had given him so much pleasure. He thought that all who had seen it had expressed genuine pleasure at the splendid ■ Buccess, Be felt satisfied that what the

southern settlers saw-would before long. \ .ead to an amalgamation of. the two •'■■ Societies.' (Applause), -.'."/. ,-■ Mr A. R; Bunny proposed the cultural interests of the' district;" and spoke at some length of their importance. '■'. ■ The toast was,replied to by Messrs 'BuickandT. Brown. '..'■...'' ■ [ Mr A. W. Hogg proposed local "manufactures," and coupled with it the names of Messrs Muir and. J, Thompson. He spoke in favor of fostering them by means of protective duties. .Mr Muir. in responding said he was afraid that the manufacturing interests of ■' Masterton were languishing for want of outside The manufacturers mostly had something to spare, fn time he hoped that they would have the tradi' of the Forty Mile Bush and a portion of Napier. In the meantime they could not do better than be"'eaclf others'customers. (Applause.) ~ Mr James Thompson also briefly responded., .-..,,'■. Mr Beetham propofed the Mayor and Councillors of Masterton, and said he recollected Masterton when there wasonly one house in the place, while now they had over 3000 inhabitants, and they had a Mayor and Council of wh»foj;hey,might well be proud. He of Masterton was thoroughly assured, and if the Premier only spent afew more days in it he would go away fuUy convinced. He was very sorry that the efforts of Mr • Renall, himself and others had made some time back to start a woollen factory in Masterton had proved unsuccessful, for it would havo added materially to its prosperity. They should do what Mr Muir said—be each others' customers in every possible way. He hoped the next time the Premier came up he would not only find the place lighted by gas, but also . that they had a proper water supply.- (Applause.) The Chairman in returning thanks said the place had progressed as fast as was compatible with safety. Until recently they had no loan, but that stain had now been removed, for they had-got into debt to the extent of £IO,OOO for gas, and theV intended to ask the burgesses to horrormore for water. He thanked them for the'enthusiastic manner in which they had honored the toast. Mr McCardle proposed " success to the new small farm settlements, "and said he had so to say propose his own health, as he was a.member of one of them. He had since 1876 fought for a relaxation of the land laws, in favor of the small holder, and he was glad that almost all he eon : tended for had been acchieved. Mr A. Reese responded in suitable ' terms. Mr Brown Hunt proposed the "Pioneer settlers," and related some of his experienced in the early days. Messrs Woodroofe,, Renall, and Haro responded, Mr Hori te Sulci gavethd Premier art appropriate welcome on behalf of the Maori race. The toast of "the Press" was proposod in a neat speech by Mr J. Williams, and appropriately responded to by tho representatives of thelocalnewspapers. MrH, J, Williams proposed the ladies, which was responded to by Mr Mason. Mr Stout proposed tho Chairman, and said that without flattering anyone, he could tell the'm that he had never before listened to so many interesting speeches on an occasion of that kind. He advised Messrs Woodroofe, Hunt, Renall, and Hare to commit their old reminiscences to writing, for they would then become vera interesting'to the historian of New Zoi?- 1 land. i The Chairman suitably responded, and in conclusion proposed the toast of " |hg Host and Hostess," which was drunk with applause, THE LECTURE, ' In the evening Mr Stout lectured at the Theatre Royal to a full house on "Social Science." The chair was occiipied by the Mayor. Mr Stout said that a private remark Jiad b&n made that Democracy is upon us. Whether we will it or no, we shall have to settle with it, What he meant by "social science" was that soience which would teaoh thorn their duty to society and the State. In the olden times the whole of the machinery of Government was worked for tho few. They had to recognize that Government was not for • the few, not even for the many, but for all. He could not define the age better than as an age of science. Who would have thought fifty years ago that their scientific men could plot out the stars, and that by means of the spectroscope tell of what metals they were The science of geology may be termed the creation of thisceiitury, and biology was in the same position. They were able to picture the workings of lifo to themselves by this means. Let them look at its effects. Why, even in medicine, it had renovated it, Twenty* five.years ago thoy would have been laughed at'if they had said that cholera, typhoid fever, etc., wero caused by germs of life, Ho did not think that they could half recognise the bearing of the term "sooial science." They did not properly / understand the term "state." Therowas social life, even among animals. TW phrase made use of by Aristotle tliat "Man could not live alone," was perfectly correct, There was a great difference of opinion as to what society meant. -v. It had been shown that the present state of the human race had not been attained at a bound, but it had been a very gradual development. Not more than thirteen or fourteon hundred, years ago they had things in England like those thoy had seen with the Maories. Society had ■ simply grown, and with the latter growth they Had gotiemooracy and entirely new • ideas.' The two things that continually came up were tho doctrines of individualism and collectivism, the question of absolute freedom and Socialism, Socialism was a state in which the whole is looked at and the individual ignored. In oppo. sition to this was the extreme liberty doctrine, or in other words, simply anarchy. There was a liberty doctrine that Was not so extreme, namely the doctrine of Herbert Spencer, He really came back to Rosseau, according to whom a man, when entering society, only gave up aß'much of his liberty as all the <-.- <rest. It was in those countries where there was individual liberty that the state of the people had been nised. It had been shown lately that tho extreme liberty idea was impracticable. They would have no.oharitableinstitutions, no national education. The State was tho growth of centuries, and not supposed to be destroyed. In a Statejhaj&were contracts between ony with one. That implied and universal suffrage, which they must even eitend to the women, There should be perfect equality. It had been Baid that the State should not interfere wife the individual, and Spencer asked "Whatright have you to tax mo to educate other people's children ?" The State had a right to exist, and If children were 'not properly educated it had a right to step in, and see that they became proper citizens for the' sake of its own existence. He alludid to the different branches of education, and argued that the English Universities were simply technical schools to train clergymen, doctors and lawyers. They would have to provide for the intel- • ' leotual, moral, and technical education. As to the land question he held thatland ' was different to all other" property, because it was, after all, the State. They would have to avoid Socialism, and ..lay down this, that what a man sowahe oughtto reap, and what hp earns heshouldhave '."':-•'-..

the first fruits of. Lct-them apply it to land, If a man improved land,-;.th090 improvements .should be his; r ; Biit\there should tie'' nearly an equal division, of the land. The State had to deal with monopolies, such as telegraph and post ■offices, and work thon for the benefit .of all; It was'tliat which caused towns to have water works and gas works of their own. Everything that tended to weaken the individual liberty of the people injured their democracy, and tended to create an oligarchy; and it stood just the same with the question of local Government. With regard to taxation he believed in Mr ■Chamberlain's principle, that everyone should have to pay according to his ability, and that those who have a monopoly of land should bo allowed to retain it if they wished, but be asked to pay in proportion to their monopoly. In conclusion he said that they had universal suffrage, and it was the duty of all tostudy all political questions to the best of their ability. If they kept the future and the responsibilities connected with it steadily in mind they would have a much purer political atmosphere. On concluding, Mr Stout was loudly applauded. Mr McCardle moved a hearty vote of thankjfothe lecturer, whom, he believed, they would all have thoroughly appreciated. Mr-G. Beetham seconded the motion, and explained that Mr McCardle had just asked him to propose the vote of thanks, but as Mr McCardle had beon instrumental in bringing up Mr Stout, he had asked him to propose the vote himself. He believed all of them had thoroughly appreciated the lecture. They required friction and food for thought, and it had been given them in the lecture. The thoughts of nun wcro widening rapidly, arid they wero creating history. He hoped it would not be the last time the Premier would visit Mastcrton (applause). The resolution was carried with applause.