HON. HENRY PARKES PICNIC TO THE INTER. COLONIAL DELEGATES. (From Town and Country )

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 15 March 1873, Page 2

HON. HENRY PARKES PICNIC TO THE INTER. COLONIAL DELEGATES. (From Town and Country )

»,* ay which Le hhonld n<>t attempt to r • i ( - A« t.-n* , preseed he could only add the woida ho cV^uii.try hpoken— that they would carry nway with them an abiding deling that they had becu most hospitably and kindly tiratel, liot only by' the worthy chauman, but by the poo/p of New South Walce, and he ho •ed tVat if it be nrcotoary to hold mother conference that it would be held in this hospitable *mntry. A* tb.it was tho. only, occasion .tti «hich their, fathering had been graced by the presence of the ladies, and inasmuch** hit friend itr.togoi accepted the mtroluction of the ladies into the next conference, he asked them to drink " The health of the ladies.V Tile toast was hwlilv drunk H6n J. B. Thompion (Queensland) responded : He was sure the toast required nothing added on lvi part to what JiHd been said, nor would he attempt to "gild fine gold or paint the My." The ladies could always speak for themselves He was glad to have an opportunity, on behalf of the-country he represented of saying how very mujh he felt the kindness and courtesy and good feeling that had met them on all hands, not only by individuals, but by the, country itself as represented by its Government, It was peculiarly gratofung to stand in thin, position, inasmuch as he was a "native of New South Wales, and nieti around him many of his old friends ; and h« wa.s#lad to say how delighted he was to see that this- colony is. progressing at a rate equal to any other Hon F. M. Ifines (Tasmania) >snid that he did not know him he should express himself for, unfortunately, he appeared as the representative of that sicklychild Tasmania. (Laughter ) But he was there nevertheless* to assure them that he left Tasmania with the elements of considerable vitality about it, and although they were in a race with many who had greater aih antages, he nevertheless came forth for the country ho represented, that it should take its position- in due tune, both by its men and by its women. (Cheers.) He rose to.propose prosperity to this colony of New South Wales, and to couple with the toast the representative of this colony, as being the head of the Government— Mr IWkes (Cheers ) Many allusions had bepn made to the Conference they had beenengaged in. Many differences had prevailed before, but lie would not give a fig for a mm who would not strongh assert his opinions, whatever they maj be, in, tho interests of those he represents— (hear, hear)— and it was no disclosuro of the secrets of that conclave if he told them that they had got a very strong representative in tho person of the" chairman. He (Mr Innes) differed very much with a prev.ojs speaker aa to the possible consequences of the union of the colonies ,He- (Mr Innes) attached a great deal of cjiibequcNce from unity of action. He recognised it that diversities of conduct would develop themselves in their several interests He did not think it nn advibable thing to ha\e people of om» character. Ci> lhsation at the present day represents too much of one side of character. What is to be deplored is that there is too little of diversity in civilisation 15ut there could be both diversity nnd unity of character The meeting of these representatives would tend. to promote their common, unity. The toast was drunjc with cheers. Mr Parkes said he thanked them very sincerely for the manner in which they had been pleased to drink prosperity to the colony — pardon him if he said the great colony of NewSouth Wales. (Hear, hear.) And he thanked them for the compliment paid him by coupling his name with the toast Ho had himself the most unqualified faith in the destiny of this great colony. He had turned his attention at different tjmes — ho might say continuously — for a numbor of \ ears to all the Australasian colonies, and without expressing any opinion unfavourable to any of them, he sincerely believed that in all tho elements of material progress this colony is second to none. All we w ant is a fair field and Jio favour ; and of course that rests w lthmjour own midst to obtain. Our jweat drawback has been the want of a sufficient spirit to put out our strength. (Hear, hear ) But the time will come — is come — has almost come — when we shall put out our strength. (Hear, hear) He thanked the company, and asked them to give three hearty cheers for her. Majesty the Queen. The call was loyally responded to, and the company immediately left for the train, which started on the return to Sydney shortly afterward, and arrived at the Rcdfern terminus a few minutes before 7. o'clock.