THE HON. J. McKENZIE,

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 86, 13 April 1899, Page 3

THE HON. J. McKENZIE,

PRESENTATION AT WELLINGTON,

AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING,

WELLINGTON, this day,

The occasion of the presentation to the Hon. Jno. McKenzie, Minister for Lands, on the eve of his departure to the Old Country, was of a most enthusiastic character. Mr McKenzie was escorted by Highland pipers to the Theatre Roval, which had been

prettily decorated with flags and ferns, and there was a crowded audience to witness the ceremony. Among those on the stage were the Premier, the lions. Thompson and Walker, Sir R. Stoxit, Messrs J. Hutcheson, J. Stevens, C. H. Mills, W. Field, M.H.R.'s, also several leading citizens. Mrs McKenzie and daughter were also present. The Mayor, who presided, read telegrams from the Hon. J. Carroll, the Hon. Lee-Smith, the Hon. W. McCullough, Mr A. W. Hog-g, M.H.R., Mr F. Trask (Mayor of Nelson), and others regretting their absence, but wishing Mr McKenzie and family Godspeed.

Mr. Blair said Mr McKenzie had been a public man for many years, and no one could say he had been dishonest. Whether his land policy was fight or not was immaterial, but they must say it was honest. Mr McKenzie in all his land administration had the welfare of the people of the colony at heart, and by his policy had secured the goodwill of all.

Sir Robert Stout said they had not met that night for party purposes, but to recognise the good that Mr McKenzie had done for the- colony, and when Mr McKenzie returned he hoped he would be in vigour and the best health. He referred to early provincialism, when he first met Mr McKenzie, and dealt at some length' with what had been done in promoting land settlement by the departing Minister. He declared Mr McKenzie had, since going into the Assembly, always promoted placing- settlers on the land. He regretted to see the cause which was sending Mr McKenzie away from New Zealand was ill-health. This he put down to the absurd late hours which were kept in Parliament, and he thought a reform in this direction was necessary. He rejoiced to think the good services of Mr McKenzie for land settlement, had been recognised, and he felt j)ositive whatever the Minister did was what he thought was for the best interest of the colony. In concluding he hoped to see Mr McKenzie, his wife .and family back in the best of health, and to stay with them for many years.

Mr J. Hutcheson, M.H.R., reviewed the history of the Hon. J. McKenzie for.the past 32 years, and affirmed what Sir R. Stout had said as to the yeoman service done by him in the Provincial Coimcil of Otago and later. He eulogised the land administration of the Minister for Lands, and declared it to have been an important factor in providing work for the labouring classes. He referred to the settlement along the West Coast of the North Island, which could tiot have been attained except by the policy put forth by Mr McKenzie and adopted by the Government. Hr Hutcheson referred to the extreme winter experienced some time ago in the South Island, when hundreds and thousands of sheep were frozen, and declared that in this instance Mr McKenzie came to the assistance, of farmers, irrespective of their political opinions. He felt confident that tit the pace they were going Ministers of the Crown were overworked. He wished Mr McKenzie God-speed, and hoped that he would place the land policy on such basis that no hostile power could shake it.

Mr Seddon referred to the success of the Minister for Lands, and said one who had Mr McTCenzie's friendship could well feel the proof of it. Ministers, he said, had a private function to perform on Wednesday, and he was keeping1 pome of what he might have said to-night for that occasion. No one regretted more than himself that their worthy friend was leaving- them. He was always considerate for others. Mr McTvenzie had tendered his resignation, as he thought there would be grave difficulties if he went away, but his colleagues, after consultation, decided that it would not be right for the colony for him to resign, and' felt that when he went back to his native country he should go there as a Minister of the Crown. He trusted the trip would send him back with restored health and vigour. He had no hesitation in saying that those who knew him in youth and since would be glad to. see him back, and give him a right hearty welcome. Whether as friend or colleague, everyone who knows him must feel proud of him. His foes, too, respected him. As to questions of policy, lie could say that his hon. friend and himself had never differed, and trusted that this would continue while they were on this side of the bar. The departing Minister had sacrificed his health in the interest of the public, and he hoped that during his absence there w.ould be no carping. If there was anything which required explanation, he, as Premier, would be only too glad to meet any question. In concluding he wished Mr McKenzie, Mrs McKenzie, and family God-speed, and felt confident that the welcome on their return would be greater than the send-off.

Mr H. Beaucliamp, chairman of the Testimonial Committee, thanked .the press of the colony for the assistance it had given to the movement for presenting the testimonial to the Hon. Jnb. McKenzie. He lauded the land policy of the Minister^

The address was then read. This contained some 8,000 signatures, mostly residents in' the provincial district of Wellington.

The address, which is handsomely cased in .New Zealand woods, expresses regret at Mr McKenzie's ill-health, and goes on to say: 'From your first entrance into political life you recognised the imperative' necessity of land reform ami the development of the agricultural and pastoral productive powers.of the colony. Your eight years of office as Minister of Lands Ms enabeld you to give effect to much that you desired in earlier days. The opening up of Crown lands, enabling poor men to select and create farms almost by their own labour, the purchase and subdivision of great estates in settled districts, the 'restriction of large holdings, and the advancing of money for improvements at low rates of interest to the settlers, have revolutionised the old conditions of settlement. Thousands of new homes in every part of the colony are the outcome of the changes made by you in these respects, arid the grateful settlers in those homes are the best testimony of your labour. The establishment by you of the Agricultural Department and the practical benefit it daily confers upon the sheep farmer, the agri-

culturist and the dairy farmer has added greatly to the wealth of the country, and mark in a special manner your foresight and wisdom. These are but a small number of the many reforms and changes you have inaugurated, the incalculable benefit of which to the whole colony will, we venture to think, be more and more recognised as time goes on. Your tenure of office will ever be held in grateful remembrance by the people of New Zealand as years in which the chief department of the State, the Lands, was ruled by a man strong and resolute in action, clear brained and wise, and ever actuated by the highest sense of honour and a single minded devotion to the best interests of the State of which he was so eminent a.

servant. We respectfully invite your acceptance of the gift accompanying this address, and trust that Mrs MeKenzie and yourself will enjoy your holiday, return to the colony with restored'health, and be spared for many years of happiness with your family.'

Mr Beauchamp then presented the Hon. Mr McKenzie with a handsomely bound album, containing the address and an envelope containing a cheque, which he said was for over four figures, but did not mention the amount. This represented the total subscriptions of admirers in the colony.

Miss Seddon then presented Mrs McKenzie with a pretty bouquet.

The Hon. J. McKenzie, in replying, said he felt very grateful for the manner in which his trip to England had been received by the press and public of the colony. It was well known that in the past he and the press had not been on the best terms, but now he thought he could not bring down the. bill which he had threatened respecting the press. Referring to land settlement, he said he had come from a country where one man had a right to order others off the land, no matter where they had to go, and when he first took part in politics he was determined that the evils of land settlement which had been left behind in the Old Country should not obtain in this happy country. No one could have carried out the land reforms the Government had unless backed up by the people of the colony. He had been practically given a free hand in dealing with land settlement, and while he would not go so far as to say that the system was perfect, the difficulty was to prepare regulations which would apply to all parts of the colony. He urged a further amendment of the Land Act, which would allow an extended area for settlers so as they could become greater producers and be more able to provide for their families. He. then referred at' some length to the land measures which had been passed by the Government after meeting with opposition in the Legislative Council. He would like to see the time when all the lands of New Zealand would be nationalised. He said he had purchased under the Land for Settlement Act 58 estates, comprising 245,534 acres, costing £1,216,482. The rentals were now £01,491, or about five per cent. On these estates there were now 700 houses, and he was confident that in a few years there would be 2,000 houses where, before the policy of the Government was adopted, there was scarcely a single building. He declared all settlements improved the value of city property, and was of immense benefit to the workers. He said he might not be here when the next election was fought, but lie warned colonists to be careful as to how they voted for persons who favoured the freehold purchase. They must not allow the large properties which had been cut up to fall again into one hand, and thus create large landowners. He favoured a. system of Crown grant, which would prevent anything of the kind. He felt satisfied that the colony had done him justice for what little he had done for it. He eulogized the Agricultural Department, which he declared to be a live department. Parliament had found means of creating this department,, and they had now abetter quality of produce than had been secured in former dnys. In thanking those, who had subscribed to the testimonial, he said it showed him that the colonists of New Zealand were determined that the' Hon. John McKenzie- should not be out of pocket while taking his holiday. He hoped to come back in good health, but if it was not to be, then he would have to accept the inevitable and allow God's will to be-done.

The Hon. Minister was heartily cheered at the conclusion, and escorted back to his residence by pipers.