BANQUET AT EKETAHUNA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3981, 5 December 1891, Page 2

BANQUET AT EKETAHUNA.

A Liberal Triumph

A National Federation.

A banquet to Ministers and members of the Liberal party was held in Toohill's Hotel, Eketahuna, last night, which was, from a Liberal point of view, a decided success. There were altogether forty persons present, including the Minister for Justice (the Hon W. P. Reeves), Mr T. L. Buick, M.H.K., Mr A. W. Hogg, and visitors from Woudvillo, Paliiatua and Masterton. The chair was occupied by Mr Eli Smith, and the vice chair by Mr Alexander Anderson, J.P. Shortly after eight o'clock the party sat down to a capital spread, provided by Mr D. E. Toohill. The iuenu.it will perhaps be interesting to know, comprised soups, pics, roast beef, lamb, veal, euckine pig, ham, ox tongue, foul, turkey, duck, vegetables, salads, jellies, trifles, tipsy cakes, gooseberry fool, custards, blanc manges, tarts, and othpt little dainties too numerous to mention, not forgetting wines and spirits, which were in abundance. For one solid hour the company did its duty, whilst some inspiring tunes were rendered on the piano by Mr Arthur Foden.

The supper over, the Chairman rose in a dignified manner, and having cleared his throat of any obstruction which might have been caused by the work at which he had previously been engaged, announced that the first toast of the evening would be that of " Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family." Every man in the room felt a spirit of loyalty creep over him, and charging his glass with the liquid most convenient, drank the health of Her Majesty with musical honours. Then came the Ministry, coupled with the name of the Hon W. P. Reeves, whom the Chairman said was a true and sincere friend to the settlers, and who had been very pleased with what he seen whilst out driving in the afternoon. The glasses were charged, and the company burst forth in joyful refrain with " He's a jolly good fellow."

The Minister of Justice rose to respond. In his eye was a very significant twinkle, on his brow a suggestive frown,and in his right hand a wine glass and a serviette. He meant business. He started off by returning thanks for the reception accorded him. He apologised for the absence of the Premier and other Ministers, whom he regretted could not be in two places at the one time, and remarked that it dovolved upon him to atone for the absence of his colleagues. And he straightway atoned. The Premier was eulogised find referred to as one oft the " most fluent speakers, eloquent orators and clever statesmen the world ever saw." The company endorsed the remark. The Minister proceeded to say that although the Ministry was not born in purple, it was none the worse because the components of it, had earned their living by their own exertions. Moreover, they had risen from the masses, and when out of office to the masses they would return. The company applauded. The present Government had not scrambled into office, but went there because the people told them to go. And he did not think the people had been disappointed. The Ministry had tried in every way to redeem the pledges made, and—here the Minister warmed up—had assisted in producing wealth and m bringing the greatest good to the greater number (applause). The working fanners, the working labourers, and the working trades created the wealth of the nation (hear, hear). He was of opinion that tha creation of wealth was one thing and the accumulation of masses of it another. Whilst the working classes created wealth the millionaires created paupers. Then,proceeding to refer to the pet Income Tax, he maintained that it was for the advantage of farmers and the people generally. The sum of £250,000 had been derived from the Property Tax. The only change would be that £63,000 would be taken off the shoulders of the poor and placed on the shoulders of the rich. (The Company cheered.) The Opposition, the Minister contended, was being converted by experience, and in support of his contention lie referred to the change of the tone of the Wellington evening papers. It had been said that the changa of taxation would drive capital out of the country and affect the credit abroad. This he did not believe, in fact he had received letters from friends in the south stating that it would have a contrary effect. Moreover —and this word was used in nearly every sentence —the rates of interest had not risen. He gaye as a reason for London in vestors withdrawing their capital from the Colony the fact that the interest in New Zealand was not sufficiently high. He maintained, however, that myestors could not afford to withdraw their capital. " And," said he, " do not be too much impressed with telegrams intimating the stand taken by the London press. They are all Tory papers, and see standing before them the grim shadow of a progressive income tax. Assure as we are here to-night this is coming to pass." (And the company concurred in the remark.) The London papers, lie maintained, were writing without sufficient information. The Tory f Argus " in Victoria and the Tory " Herald " in South Wales were also against then}. They cjid not want the income tax. To revert to the labouring classes, he maintained that the whole of the policy of the Government was largely contained in the Labour Bills. The Factory Act, which had been so severely criticised, was not oppressive. The working men did not desire to make unjust demands. With regard to the land policy the Government did not wish to take away the right of acquiring a freehold. They merely desired to keep the Crown Lands for those who wished tp go tpon them and lG'iJre tjieir homes and worK them. ' ,"'Thio," he ' remarked," is about all our policy.'- NVhTlst wished the piepple to t&fie up land ljnder the gerpqtqal ieasje and special settlement' systems, they h a d_ no desire to prevent them from taking it up under any other form of tenure, The population of New Zealand had not been iacreasing at the rate it should be. During the past four years it- waa a lamentable fact that their departures had fc^eir

ajrivai;? ' gy This was_ a deplorable state \of affairs. A'p(J. ,f said lie in pathetip toi)es, f'it tS gtill fuore ideplprable that the natural increase has stopped- sew Zealand is not like a full grown man, but l&e a boy who has ceased to grow. The doctor should be sent for." The Minister sighed a sigh of relief as his hearers smiled. What they wanted to do, said lie, was to put the people on the land and stop the exodus. He did not believe the Government had lost the confidence of the people.

The large property owners and large | newspapers were against them, but the masses were still at their back. In conclusion he expressed the hope, that the Government would be as successful during the reminder of

its term of office as it had been during the year just ended. (Applause).

Mr F. JL). Pelling then delighted the company with a song entitled "Barney Dear," after which Mr Anderson, the vice-Chairman, proposed the " Parliament of New Zealand," coupled with the name of Mr A. W. Hogg. The toast was drunk in bumpers. Our worthy member rose. He appeared to be somewhat fatigued, but he placed one hand behind his back and stretched the other forth in professional style, and his hearors fully expected something. And surely enough they got it. He buttered down the company by expressing his pleasure at seeing so raa.iy " thoroughly representative constituents " present. He announced that Eketahuna was one of the most Liberal spots in the Colony, and proceeded to give his impression* of the Parliament of which he is a member. He essayed a little parcasm at the expense of the Opposition by statiug they were disorganised and were lacking in "back bone," and went on to discus? the merits of the individuals composing the Ministry. He referred in flattering terms to the Premier, and also eulogised the Minister for Lands, the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Native A flairs, and the Postmaster-General, but for some reason best known to himself quite overlooked the Hon Mr Buckley. However, he warmed up as he proceeded, and lashed out at his opponents right and left. He urged that Hansard itself was a sufficient refutation of the statement

that ttie labour members were all " ignoramuses." He considered their apprenticeship at the bench qualified them for stonewalling. The men who sat behind the Ministry were unselfish, and could not be accused of axe grinding, they were men who had a sincere desire to benefit their fellows. He had been accusedoffavouringland nationalism and the perpetual lease system. He wished to poiat out that he desired every man to be settled on the land and to remain there. He did not wish men to be turned off the land, and that was why he wanted an alteration in the tenure. If the people wished to have freeholds, by all means let them have them. But he asked, should a man be debarred from getting his land on a perpetual lease ? They would find in years to come that they would have a better tenure than the freehold. They would have land nationalization. And the member made this remark with great emphasis and a significant wave of his hand. With fair play he thought the present Government would be of great benefit to the Colony. He found that sinca this Government took office the large landholders in his district were erecting new wool sheds and making other improvements, and were, thereby employing more labour. And they were bouud to do this to make their runs pay. The graduated tax was a grand institution. He was proud of what they bad been able to do by simple and bold legislation. He contended that the Legislative Council as now constituted was opposed to the working classes in every way. He was pleased to see a rising in England to do away with the House of Lords, and confidently hoped that the New Zealand Opper Chamber would soon be extinguished. In conclusion he returned thanks for the toast to which he had been called upon to respond (applause,)

Mr Hudson then endeavoured to sing " The Maid of Athens," but the piano was slightly off colour and he abandoned the attempt. The next toast was that of the National Liberal Federation. This was proposed by the Hon. Mr Reeves, who explained the objects of the Federation. The Federation had been formed for the maintenance of the Liberal party. They had concluded that to ensure a continuance of their successes they must have organisation. The Federation which was now being formed would knit the party together. Those who had been enthusiastic and had contributed towards the expenses of the election in the past would not be called upon to contribute as much in the future. He did not think it was right that a few enthusiastic people should pay the whole cost of elections. The burdens which had hitherto fallen on the enthusiasts here and there would be borne by the Federation. They would lend assistance in electioneer' ing campaigns when necessary. " Many of our Parliamentarians are poor," said he, "and it is well that this should be so." They had no right to ask that their candidates should be rich, and they should therefore assist where necessary. Tlu second object of the Federation was to knit the party together in one fraternal unity, lie had much pleasure in proposing the toast, coupled with the name of Mr Buick (applause). Mr Buick, M.H.R., was received with applause. He rose in a modest style and got* to work at once. He is undoubtedly an orator, but reminds one more of a parson than anything else. He did not take long, however, to convince those present that lie was a thorough liberal. He explained that his special object in being present wfisto consolidate jibe party. He admitted tljat it was one thing to put a Ministry into office, but another thing to keep them there. In referring to the Ql7 that capital leaving the Colony be mentioned thq,t 3, istaten~ent had recently appeared in the Wellington " Evening Press " to the effect that a merchant of Marlborough had decided to withdraw £50,000 from the Colony owing to the measures of the present Government. In this statement he said there was absolutely no foundation. This mis statemont he said was in common with very many others made by the Tory press. l|e wished to state that whiisfi theS3 papers wfipe throwing mud, » quantity nejje§S|j,rily giiclj, and'the designs of the enemy jathjs direction did them considerable harm, T'bey should cjq &11 tljey could to fortify the Ministry in otflce. The Federation would consolidate the Liberal party. The other party was organising, and ho did not blame them. It was the fault of the Liberals if they did not go one better than tfceir opponents ? n t}ie Federation which he represented tlifjre' \yoiild 'b'e" Quinary niembptsi private members, and federated societies. Ordinary anij private membeps would contribute 41 per annum. It might be said that this was too high a price. They did not, however, wish to appeal to the poorer classes of their supporters, but looked to the affluent. The objects of the Federation were to secure proper representation; to enlist the support of people and press, :

and lastly—and this was the most important point of all—to establish a fund lor fighting elections. At the next election the Opposition would pout out money like water rather than let the present party return. They therefore wanted money with which to fight money. The funds raised would be devoted to defending seats in c>ise of petitions, and to assist the party in every way. The money collected in a district would be returned to that district, with perhaps something sddeii. It was like putting money away for a rainy day. At the present time the Federation followed the principles laid down by the Government, but the members would have the privilege of making suggestions on any question. A clear line of deinarkatbn would he drawn by the Federation, 30 that there would be no " rail-sit-ters." (hear, hear). If the working men realised the benefits they had received from the Liberal Government they should rally round the banner. In conclusion he urged that the Federation should be sup ported by young New Zealanders (applause). The remaining toasts were' as follows :—" Eketahuna and the settlers of ihe Forty-mile Bush," proposed by Mr Hogg, M.H.R., and responded to by Mr Alexander Anderson ; " The Visitors," proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Mr Alexander Reese; " The Ladies," proposed by Mr E. H, Eton, ind'Vesponded to by Mr D. Roberts; 1 The Press," proposed by Mr Anderson,and responded to by Mr Robinson ; ind " Mine Host," pronosed by Mr tlrennmhl and responded to by Mr D. E. Toohill. The company then went n for harmony, when songs were •endered by the following persons : Vlessrs Brenmuhl, .Telling, Foden, kVeolf, Hogg, and Eton. A couple >f very humorous recitations were tlso given by Mr Roberts. The company, after spending a nost enjoyable evening, dispersed ibout 12.80 a.m, with " Auld Lang syne."