THE HON. G. FOWLDS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 195, 16 August 1906, Page 3

THE HON. G. FOWLDS

aH ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. irrjiOGrUMS BY FELLOWCITIZENS. SPEECH BY THE MINISTER. , , . I A POLICY OF STEADY PROGRESS. .-..,, Many years have passed since a representative of this city has occupied a place in the Ministry of the day, and the elevation of Eon. Geo. Fowlds. M.H.R. for Grey Lynn, to Cabinet rank in the ,W.ird Administration, was made the occasion of an enthusiastic public welcome last night. The welcome took place in tjie Choral Hall, Lower Symonds-street, and was of the most cordial and enthusiastic character, while it was of a representative nature, all classes of the community being represented in the audience. His Worship the Mayor of Auckland '(Mi A. M. Myers) presided, and long before the hour fixed fur commencemeat the building was packed to its utmost capacity. The itucst of the evenjjir received a great ovation on arrival, loud applause n:i continuous cheering greeting him a- lie walked to his seat on the right of the Mayor. Mrs Fowlds, wife of the Minister, and Mrs Myers, were seated on the left of the chairman. Mrs Fowlds being very warmly Tceted by the audience. Among those ou the platform were the Hons. W. Beehan aDd E. Mitchelson, Messrs F. E. Baume, A. Kidd. C. H. Poole. M.H.R.'s, Drs. Shannan and S'topford. Kabbi Goldstein, Rev. ,T. A. Luxlord, Messrs M. Boeufve (Consul for franco). W. A. Priekett (Consul-General lor C-SA.), .Messrs 11. YV. Brookes, M. Casey. J. Court. ,T. Kneen. P. M. Mackey, P. J. Nerheny, W. J. Speight, R. T. Warnock. H. Duncan. T. W. Leys, Wesley Spragg. A. Rosser. B. Myers, G. L. Pcacocke, J. W. Shackelford, I\-or Evans, A B. Robert ou, J. B. MaeFarlane, L. J. Bagnall, B. Cronin, G. Knight, W. 11. Lyon. W. E. Hutclrison, H. M. Smeeton, G. W. Basley, YV. E. Bush, J. H. Upton, J. C. Mackie, T. Allen, H. W. YVilson, 11. B. Morton, YV. B. Levland,and Mrs Dewar, president Women's Political League. 3IESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER AND MINISTERS. In opening the meeting the chairman read a number of telegrams and apologies for absence. The first from Sir Joseph Ward, read as follows: —"I v.oukl have been delighted to have been with you to do honour to my esteemed colleague, the Hon. Geo. Fowlds, tonight, had it been possible. He has worthily earned the high and honourable position which he now occupies, and I feel sure that he will do good service to the colony." (Applause.)

The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for labour, telegraphed:—"l regret exceedingly I cannot he Yvith you to assist in doing honour to your worthy member and my colleague. My best wishes for a jno?t successful and enjoyable evening.

' The Hon. R. McNab, Minister for .\aids and Agriculture, telegraphed:— 'I regret exceedingly I am not able to be present with you this c\ r ening to do ionour to my brother member .and colleague, the Hon. Geo. Fowlds. Mr Fowlds and I have been closely connected in Parliamentary work for a number of years, aud I have always found him to act in what he believed to be in the best interests of his constituents and tie colony. 1 have also met our Minister in other lands, and the same high epinion is held of him and his family as in this country. 1 hope your gatherin;: to-night will be a successful one and do full justice to the new Auckland representative in the Ministry."' Mr G. Laurenson. M.HJL. wired:— ""Kindly apologise for my absence, and to your guest, whom we all like •uid respect so much, my heartiest con- ■ patulations and my best wishes for "Ms future."

The Rev. W. Gray-Dixon, in apologising for absence, expressed his admiration of Mr Fowlds" character and gifts, and his gratification that he should have been appointed to a seat in the Government. His earnestness and moral vijour could not but make for the well,being of the State. Apologies were also received from Messrs H. J. Greenslade, F. Lawrv and TL Poland, M.H.R/6, H. Brett, and the Rev. W. S. Potter. . THE MAYOR'S WELCOME. In welcoming Mr Fowlds the chairman ■said that on "behalf of the citizens of Auckland he had pleasure in tendering to the Hon. Mr Fowlds their Yvelcome and their congratulations on his first appearance among them in the capacity of .4Cabinet Minister. (Applause.) There were times when, without any sacrifice to their personal convictions, they might and ought to lay aside distinctions of party, and join in paying honour to those whom honour was due. A Minister of the Crown, though he necessarily re'intained a party leader, had larger duties and responsibilities than those of party; he was the servant of the com- ■ fflunity as whole; aud therefore the community should be prepared, fl n occasion, to recognise and honour hsn as such. Probably a greater part than was generally supposed of the work "f any Minister was non-partisan and ahniniatrativc: and this must be especially the ca.se with the Minister ■ folding such portfolios as those of Eduction and Public Health. The work °f these departments might perhapsjn tonsequence attract comparatively little attention: but it. was none the less among the most important of the ftmc&m of the State, representing as it did file efforts of the community to secure ifhat were among the first essentials to *uional welfare, sound minds in sound Mmes; and it would afford ample scope 'W the display of the talents that they Jfl acknowledged Mr Fowlds possessed. f" 5 had always in the past taken the interest, in education, both gen-' . ? Htl and technical, and they might rest pared that "Honesty of purpose and inuency" would be the motto inscribed °» his banners, and that in both his tiePartments he would render yeoman serC6 to the people of New Zealand. (ApgS«o He had said that a Minister pnged not only to his party but to th 6 f v lc com "iunity. aud he might add jp he belonged not only to his own Hi* ± to the whole colony. StilL 'Moat looking at the matter from any i«*y or parochial standpoint, they •of t'„ • Pgit " Batel - v claim that a di3tri ct SHI !T ' IB P° rtau ce of Auckland was en- & c io "Presentation in the Ex ecua t°.. the Colony, and they might feel ib • te P ride ' m the tho "ght that mt city had contributed- to the CabH| a . Tecruit who was likely to prove

As Auckland was the largest education district in the colony, it was appropriate that they should provide the Minister for Education; moreover, owing to the scattered nature of the population, and the lack of good roads in so much of the back country, there were special administrative difficulties to bo encountered here, so that they were peculiarly interested in having a Minister who could be relied on to do everything possible to make their national system of education meet the needs of the community. (Applause.) Further, they had now in Auckland, if he might venture to say so, an up-to-date and progressive Council (laughter), who regarded public health as of primary importance, and intended to make their city the cleanest, healthiest, and most beautiful in New Zealand ; and they therefore had every reason to welcome the appointment as Minister of Public Health of an Auckland representative who knew the needs of their city, and to whom the Council could look with confidence to do whatever might bs needful to second their efforts. (Applause.) They could not expect to be represented, either in Parliament or iv the Cabinet, by a man with whom they could always agree, but they ought to expect, to be represented by a man whom they could always respect, and such a man was the new Minister for Education and Public Health. (Applause.) He had long occupied a foremost place in social, commercial, and political life of their city.: they all knew him as a man of integrity, ability, and courage, who bad never stooped to conceal his opinions for the sake of popularity, or to practise any unworthy arts to .secure his own advancement; Yvbo bad won his way to the front by sheer -force of character—.had come to the top because, that Yvas his proper place; and they might all, whether they shared his political opinions or not, take a personal pride in his success. (Applause.) He had tendered to the new Minister their congratulations; he must "also offer him their sympathy, for even success had its drawbacks, especially to those who took things seriously, and Mr Fowlds was not one to shirk the responsibilities of any position he had accepted. In entering the Ministry he had condemned himself to a life of constant toil; he Yvould seldom be able to enjoy a careless moment or an idle hour; but lie would, he trusted, begin his career refreshed and invigorated by their sympathy and confidence, and he would be sustained throughout by his devotion to the service of the people. (Applause.) In any case, if heredity counted for anything, Mr Fowlds was not one whom hard work would easily kill. He had some misgivings when he read in one of the papers that Mr Fowlds would receive deputations all day, and on the following proceed to the mental hospital. (Laughter.) He was sure he might venture to say that nothing in connection with his attainment of ministerial rank could have given him such unalloyed pleasure as the thought of i the gratification with which his venerable parent in the Mother Country Yvould hear of the distinction he had achieved, and he would suggest that the following cablegram should be sent to Mr- Matthew Fowlds on behalf of this meeting:—"Citizens in public meeting assembled to congratulate your worthy son on • becoming Cabinet Minister resolved convey congratulations also to you." (Cheers and prolonged applause.) He trusted that the new Minister would live up to his family traditions, that he would enjoy a long, useful and brilliant Parliamentary career, and that be might live to be present when be celebrates the jubilee of his entrance into the Cabinet. Whether, however, his career was long ot short, those who had the privilege of his personal acquaintance— and he was proud to be included among the number—had every confidence that it would be such as to reflect credit on his family, his constituency, his adopted city and colony, and the Empire. His Worship then read the address of welcome, as follows, stating that it was now being illuminated, and Yvould be handed to Mr Fowlds in due course.

To-the Hon. Geo. Fowlds. M.H.R.. Minister for Education aud Minister for Public Health.

Bear Sir.—At a public meeting held in the hall of the Chamber of Commerce. Auckland, on August 10, at which all classes of the community were well represented, it was unanimously Tesolved. "That this meeting desires to congratulate the Hon. Geo. Fowlds, member for Grey Lynn, upon his being selected to fill an important position iv the new Ministry, feeling sure that in him the Auckland district will find a capable representatvo. and the colony an able, just, and painstaking administrator."

A committee was aLso appointed to arrange for the public welcome in which we are now taking part, iv order that the citizens of Auckland might give fuller expression to the appreciation and ..esteem in which they hold you.

Your past association with the commercial, social, and political interests of Auckland has been characterised by an integrity and a desire to advance the welfare of the people that have commanded the respect of the whole community. and secured the confidence of an important constituteney.

With sincere pleasure we have read the cordial eulogiums which 3iave appeared In the Press throughout the colony upon the occasion of your appointment as Ministerial head of the important Departments of Education and Pnblic Health.

\Y r e feel assured that yonr wide knowledge of the requirements of the people of New Zealand, your ability, your bnsiness experience, and your earnest devotion to public duty will enable you to render eminent service to the colony in the wider sphere 'of influence which has now been opeicd ont for you.

We think imr colony may be congratulated upon securing the services of men of commercial capacity and high principle as directors of its national affairs: and we are satisfied that the duties now devolving upon you as a Minister of the Crown will be fulfilled with a sense, of deep responsibility and an earnest and careful regard for the interests and well-being of the people of this colony.

With best wishes for yourself and family.

The address was accepted by Mr. Fowlds. the audience again cheering the Minister, and, at the call of the Mayor, Mrs. Fowlds also. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. ' Representing the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. . .T. B. Maefarlane (the president) said they might not be aware of the fact that he Yvas a Scotchman, and, therefore, a modest man (laughter), and he shrank from an ordeal like this. While listening to the eulogies which had been pronounced on Mr. Fowlds, he had not heard anyone congratulate him for being a Scotchman. (Laughter and applause.) Notv, he thought this was greatly to his credit, but he had one fault to find, and that was that Mr. FoYvlds had not the prefix "Mc" to his name, though he was aware that he could get over this. (laughter.) But in spite of this he Yvas a good Scotchman, and being a modest man like the speaker, this greatness was rather thrust upon him. On behalf of the business men of Auckland he was there to welcome Mr. Fowlds, and he did so be-, cause he knew that the new Minister was a man of ability and absolute integrity. (Applause.) He took it that this was more important than that his opinions agreed vwth their own. Although he occupied- ihs figsrtifm -trt MmJßfaai ftm JScbuan

tion, he would have a voice in other mat- t ters concerning the Yvclfare of the col- i ony, and they could be sure that he < would try to maintain purity of ad- i ministration and a Civil Service abso- j lutely free from corruption. (Applause.), s As a business man Mr. Fowlds would i know the Y-aluo of trade and commerce < to the colony. They aU knew what legis- j lation had done toYvards helping tho ? butter and meat industries, while the i appointment of inspectors and other - wise regulations had resulted in New f Zealand products now having the name j of being absolutely pure and of tho high- , est excellence. He sincerely hoped that ■ the honourable gentleman would use his , best endeavours" in opening up our land , for settlement, for he lvelieved that our - province was the finest in the colony for - the dairying industry, and when these improvements had been effected they could , hope for an increase in the population - of the colony. He was certain that ; he was voicing the sentiments of the , business men. and, in fact, all present, when he said that the honour conferred , on their fellow townsman Yvas no greater , than that which he deserved. (Applause.) ■, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. Mr. L. J. Bagnall. chairman of the Auckland Board of Education, said he ■ was uot, like. Mi. Maefarla.no, a Scotch- , man. nor did his name begin with j '• Mac," so he could uot hope to succeed so well in addressing theon as Mr. Macfarlane had done. He was pleased as chairman of the Education Board to take part in the proceedings, aud to have the opportunity of tendering the congratulations of the Board and other educational institutions to Mr. Fowlds ou his appointment as , Minister of Education. As soon as he heard of the appointment he tendered his personal congratulations, and at the last meeting the members by resolution authorised him to tender theirs. The position of Minister of Education was. he thought, one of the most important which was in the gift of any Ministry. No position had greater responsibilities, a.nd he felt confident that they might safely entrust these important matters to the care of Mr. Fowlds. (Applause.) It had been said that the Auckland educational district Yvas the largest in the colony. This was quite true —it was much larger hi area than any other, besides having a larger number of teachers and scholars. From this alone they would see that they had great interest in the Minister of Education. The increase iv the settlement of the district was also -considerable, a.nd the Board Yverc receiVing constant demands for new schools and increased accommodation at the old buildings. Of course this was a matter for congratulation, but it raised a considerable responsibility iv providing the necessary acconianodation and. teachers for these children and districts. This was not the time to go into the question of our needs, and he quite recognised that Mr. Fowlda was not only a Minister of Education for Auckland, but for the whole colony, and he would be the last to ask for any special favour, and he felt sure that Mr. Fowlds' sense of justice and fair play would not agree to such a request even if it were made. They might safely rely that the interests of education would be Yvell treated at his hands. Our primary and secondary schools, secondary, normal, technical and university colleges all demanded the best attention and ability of the Minister iv charge. He would content himself by eongratulatuig Mr, Fowlds ou the position he had attained, and at the same time wishing him. a continuance of the success which he had reeevei in accordance with his merit. HON. E. MITCHELSON. a The Hon. E. Mitchelson (chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board) was the next speaker. He said that he was present in two capacities—as chairman of the Harbour Board and as a private citizen—and he had great pleasure in congratulating Mr. Fowlds on having been promoted to the position of a Minister of the Crown. He congratulated him Y'ery heartily on having been placed in charge of the two very important portfolios of Education and Public Health. He yvus sure Mr. Fowlds must have been delighted to read all the nice things said in the Press of the colony, from one end to the other, Government and Opposition, in connection with his appointment. Sir Joseph Ward must also have felt highly flattered at having been so sucessful in choosing as a Minister a man so highly praised as Mr. Fowlds. He had no doubt, as had been truly said by tho Mayos, that Mr. Fowlds had already discovered that the position, although a high and honourable one, had very great duties and responsibilities associated with it. It had also been said by many that MrFowlds should not have been taken into the Ministry because he held extreme views on various subjects; those who made that statement could not have been acquainted with the position. No matter how extreme miglit be the views of one or two individuals, they had no force unless they carried the majority of the Government and the party with them. All might not see eye to eye with Mr. Fowlds or accept his views, but all must trive him credit for holding to those views, whether right or wrong, and he was sure that Mr. Fowlds would not attempt to force his opinions on the people ! of the colony unless he was sure the people were willing to receive them. It ' was his pleasure to be associated with one of the foremost politicians in this coun- ; try, the late Sir Harry Atkinson. During his (Mr. Mitehelson's) Parliamen- ; tary and Ministerial career, and ever ' since, he had never met a man Yvho held . such strong socialistic views as Sir Harry, but he never attempted to force those ! views on the colony, simply for the reason that he never could induce the majority of his colleagues to think as he thought. He remembered that many years ago, when Sir Robert Stout be- ' came a Minister in the Grey Cabinet, it ' was said, not only by'the Press, but by ■ many politicians, that the colony was going to be ruined in consequence of the views held by Sir Robert. Since then he : had held the high position of Premier, ■ and he never attempted in any sense to ! force any of the extreme views he then \ held on the people of the colony. It had ! been said that we in Auckland were en- . titled to hatve among our members a • Minister of the Crown. That was all very well, and he thought that Auck- ! land was to be congratulated upon haying one of its members occupying a ■ position as Minister. He, however, thought that it was not essential that ; each provincial district should have : direct representation in the Cabinet > counsels; he held the opinion strongly ■ that it was the duty of the Premier to I take his Ministers from the .most cap- > able and competent men that were to : be found aimongst those supporting him. - It had. 'been truly said that the majority > of the members of the Government -. hailed from the South; the North Maud > had a population 65,000 greater than . the South, and still it had only three t Ministers.' It was a curious fact that i all these three belonged to the Auckland • provincial district, and, if the basis of k »bib dßttfc .iAarcfefafflrty itvtfn£

a population of about one-fourth of the i whole colony—about 211,000—iwfoula. ( only be> entitled to two. On that basis c the provinces of Wellington, B&Yvke'a p Bay, and Taranaki should have repre- r senttstion, hut neither had. WelUilgtoii, i notwithstanding the fact that it had no i direct representation iv tho Govern- I ment, received perhaps a gTeat deal < more than its share of the p>od things t that were going on. The <jovernment v Yvas not a govenrrrient of any partiou- 1 3ar locality, bat of the wb'ile colony, 1 and he was satisfied from what he knew t of Mr. Fowlds that he at all events i would see that. while assisting the Pre- f mier and Ms colleagues, the provincial s district of Auckland! would not be left c without its share. (Applause.) He < would like to draw Mir. Fowlds' atten- t tion to the fact that we had a popnla- ( tion of 44,000 people, exclusive of Maoris i north of the Waitemata. These people 1 had been crying and claaiKHiring for the i extension of the North. Trunk railway t through the whole of that district, yet t eY'er since the first sod was turned its t progress had been at the rate of 11 i anile a year. They could not blanue 1 the present Government, because all Go- i vensments alike had been to blame- in this matter. The late Sir Frederick Wbitaker always held the opinion that it was simply waste of money to con- j struct a railway through a stretch of ( couirtry having good water carriage on , either side. That opinion was held by . the present Minister for Public Works, who- had expressed the opinion that , Maungaturoto should be the objective. , He held a different view, believing that ] the line would not pay with the terrain- l ous at Maungaturoto, and that the line , would be no good until it was taken s right to the extreme north. When one j realised the large number of people wait- j ing for the line, and contrasted the North , with the unpopulated Otago Central dis- , trict, one would see that it was time a little more progress YY'as made with this ; line. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Fowlds was • one of those members of Parliament ; •who had taken the trouble * to go j through the country to be tapped by ( this line., and would bear him out that j many miles north of Maungaturoto the j line would run through laud second to • •none in the colony. 1-iarge areas were , owned, by the Crown and by natives, j and until pierced by a railway they 1 would remain unsettled. Again, the ; North of Auckland was not blessed with . good roads for want of metal. The • railway would not only open up the ■ country, but would be the means of ; carrying metal sufficient to open up the ] roads east and west of the line. Mr. ; Fowlds had commenced his Ministerial life, and his great business capacity, and i his knowledge of politics and economics ] would stand him. in good «tead. Ho 1 hoped, and believed, that when Mr. t Fowlds returned to Auckland to give an ( account of his stewaidsliip the people < Yvould he perfectly satisfied with what i he had done. He* was highly respected, ' not only as a private citizen but as a j public man and a Parliamentary repre- < sentative. Although "the speaker and j Mr. Fowlds did not always see in tho < same political direction, lie liad great -. confidence in him, and believed that he : Yvould do his duty faithfully not only i to the colony hut also to the people of ] Auckland, who had sent him to Parlia- 1 •ment. (Applause.) ' TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL, j Mr. H. W. Brookes, president of the , Trades and Labour Council, said that c he did not come before them as a Scotchman, but as a young colonial—(ap- \ plause)—and he spoke on behalf of the workers of this city. (Applause.) It j was incumbent on him to curtail the \ potints touched upon, and being modest j as colonials arc —(Laughter). If they , did not believe him, continued Air. Brookes, let them observe their modesty ! in making a claim in the Arbitration ( Court. (Laughter.) After previous speakers had -made such full remarks, he felt like adding, "for he's a jolly good \ fellow, and so say all of us," and concluding his speech but that would not be sufficient, for he had other things to j tell Mr. Fowlds. As the representative of i the Auckland Trades and Labour Council, he begged to contribute his con- • gratulations to Mr. Fowlds on his ap- , pointment to the position of Minister of Education. They claimed him as one of their own, for he was a Yvorkev (applause), and they vvore proud of that loyalty which be had exempbfied in making a journey of 10,000 miles to pay homage and honour to his aged father. (Applause.) That the Department would not suffer from the administration of Mr. Fowlds they had no fear. They had produced from thus colony able men to fight for the Empire, and they i had also sent their "All Blacks," who had established their fame as footballers. (Applause and laughter). Now, why could they not, here in New Zealand, educate their oyvu children to fill the positions in parliament, which were now occupied by, should he say, imported gentlemen. (Loud laughter.) Another point was that they should have a uniform series of school books —(hear_ hear) —printed and circulated throughout the colony. That, he hoped, would be a subject which would occupy the attentiou of their ■ . They might expect now to see their children in tho higher standards being educated in the politics of the day—(laughter) — and also that they may be made conversant with the history of the statesmen who had made themselves famous in the furthering of the interests of this colony. In conclusion, he would extend on behalf of the Council, Yvhich was tho executive for the Yvhole of New Zealand, their sincere congratulations to Mr. Fowlds on his appointment to the Ministry, trusting that he might enjoy that health and strength which was I necessary for the carrying out of his arduous duties. LIBERAL AND LABOUR FEDERATION. Mr. P. J. Nerbcny said that he was ; pleased to see that large aud representa- * tive gathering to welcome the new ; Minister, and to appreciate the good , selection by the' Premier in cafliug Mr. . Fowlds to his Ministry. Auckland had suffered in the past through lack of J representation in the Ministry, but tliey ( were now able to congratulate themselves on having a real live, energetic '_ representative in the administration of the day. The cry of the neglected . North would soon be a thing of the past, and roads and railways would soon open up the country. He conveyed to ( Mr. Fowlds his warmest congratulations on his elevation to the Government, ,' and expressed a hope that the prognosis tieations made Yvould be fulfilled. (Ap- " plause.) r . MR. FOWLDS' REPLY. * On rising to reply Mr. Fowlds was re- * ceived with prolonged cheers. "I would * be something more than human or some- ■ thing less than human," began the Min--7 ister, "were I not deeply moved at the " very cordial sad magnificent reception 1 that I have received from my fellow-, i citizens in Auckland. (Applause.) It } is naturally gratifying to mc to find ' that my appointment to Ministerial rank I has met with such general favour, and t while thinking the citizens- of ftatMaiid ill {Lbbqcb to «j«fiS3 job jgag jtaasts;:

thanks to tho electors of Grey Lynn (applause), for it Yvas their loyalty and devotion which enabled'me to reach the position I now occupy, and I also accord my deepest thanks to that noble band of men aud women Yvho have always rallied ronnd mc in the stress of the battle." Mr. Fowlds went on to say that the cordiality of the speeches had been very touching, and he. thanked those gentlemen very heartily for the sentiments they had uttered. He wanted, also, to express his appreciation of the very kindly thoughtfulness that was displayed in the idea of sending that cable to liis old father. ,(Cheers and applause.) He could see the tears come into the old man's eyes when that cable reached lum—tears of joy. He would always feel thankful to whoe\-er it Yvas that inspired the idea of sending the cable—he presumed it was the Mayor. He would also express liis thanks to the committee who had undertaken the arrangements connected with his welcome, and also to the ladies and gentlemen who had contributed to the success of the evening by musical items. The last oY'ening he spent in Scotland was spent in the compauy of an uncle of Miss Whitelaw. THE NEW CABINET. • He had already had the opportunity of publicly expressing his regret at the sudden and tragic'death of the great statesman who was called away a few months ago. and whose calling away had necessitated the formation of the new Ministry, aud consequently it Yvould lie unnecessary for him to say more on that point. But he Yvould like on this occasion to say & word about Messrs. Mills and Duncan, who by the manner in which they bad stood aside Lad shown their loyalty to the members of the party, and their feelings for the interests of the colony to which they had given their best services during the. long years of their association. (Applause.) He now came to the new Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, and it seemed to him that Sir Joseph had won the admiration of the colony by the manner in which he had taken up the reins of Government, aud while it would be impossible Vn the selection of a Cabinet to please everyone, he believed there Yvas a widespread satisfaction at the choice made. In fact, he was reminded when he saw the unanimity of the. Press, of the words in the old book. "YVoo imto you when all men speak well of you," and it was with some degree of satisfaction that he found himself as the salt which was going to savour the whole mass, for it Yvas against him that the bulk of the criticism had been directed. He had no fault to find with that fact, but rather looked upon it as a high testimonial, for none of the objections had been against his character or capability for the position. It was confined to the holding of a single opinion on one of the great political issues. If the only objection to the Ministry was that one man held one opinion which had never been approved by the whole of the people, then the outlook was a bright one, and the Ward Ministry should goon its way rejoicing. He had had a good deal of experience with the new Premier, and had always found him straightforward and honest in his dealings, aud be thought they would have reason ' to be proud of Mm. He had accepted his new position with the intention of devoting to the Premier and his country the best ability he possessed, and looked forward to the work of the new Ministry with a good deal of hope.

THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT,

He believed that none of the audience had come expecting to hear a policy speech, which was impossible under the circumstances. The position was laid down so clearly by precedent that the Premier of the coloiny should first announce to the people the policy of the Government. As the representatives of the people* were going to meet in Wellington in a few days, it had been decided and wisely iv his opinion, that the policy should be addressed to the people in the presence of their representatives in Parliament assembled. Tho constitutional position regarding Cabinet Government had been so well laid down by an ex-Minister of the Crown, the Hon. Mitchelson, that it was almost unnecessary for him to refer further to the objections raised to his inclusion in the Ministry.

THE SINGLE TAX. Some writers in tho newspapers had i been greatly concerned about his con- i science and his principles. They had ; held that it would he impossible for him to join the Ministry without, sacrifice, of principle. He might say that he ; had abandoned no principle that he had ever professed, and he was not aware i that the .experience of Ministerial office had Yory seriously modified any of the . opinions that lie held ten days ago. But when anyone tried to raise objection to him on the ground, of one political principle that he held, they showed themselves entirely unacquainted with the Cabinet system of Government which existed in New Zealand and in the British dominions. Mr. Mitchelson had given two illustrations of gentlemen holding strong opinions on given subjects being [Ministers without trying to impress them on the people. Another i instance was that of Mr. Arthur J. Balfour, who had for many years been a strong advocate of bi-mctallism. Ho had held the position of Premier of Great Britain, but had introduced no measure to secure bi-mctallism. For himself, he perfectly recognised in joining the present Ministry that his colleagues Yvere not single taxers, and the policy of the Government would not be the single tax. (He saYV no reason, agreeing with his colleagues, as he did on many great ! and important subjects, why he should withhold himself from the service of the country merely because they would not go as far in one particular direction as he deemed desirable. In that spirit he had joined the Government. He recognised that they were not going Yvhore he wanted to go, but they were going to do a great deal for the good of the people of New Zealand, and he Yvas going to give them the best help he could. He had no intention to surreptitiously advance the principle he held. He believed that principle vvas too large to be benefitted by any such ' attempt. CLASSIFICATION OF PORTFOLIOS. Regarding the portfolios allotted to lrmi 4 they might have noticed that in / the new arrangement of the departments something like classification had been attempted, Departments associated had been grouped together as far as possible. For instance, he Yvas Minister for Education, Public Health, and Hospitals and Charitable Institutions. ' These were allied, and Yvere naturally grouped together, and he helieved that economy and increased efficiency would he the result of the classification. The Mayor had mentioned the fact that his (Mr. Fowlds 5 ) endeavour would he to secure a sound mind in a sound body, and these two important portfolios of Education and Health had naturally come together in striving for this, aud he was perfectly satisfied would give him scope for all the energy and capacity inatJha hggfrgJi ihe :-work. » ' 'Li

EDUCATION ATYATrKTSTttAT-TO-NT. 1 The question of education had beei very largely before the public of thl colony during the last few years. Hfl wanted to say that a good deal of what might be called the spectacular portion! of the work of education had already! been done. In the six years that he had! sat in Parliament, the Legislature had' adopted a colonial scale of salaries for teachers, which had very greatly improved tlie position of a large number of the teachers of the colony. They had also at various times increased the amounts that Yvere contributed under that head, and last year it Yvas increased again, so that the aaaount paid under that head was £133,073 more than in 1599, when he first entered Parliament. In addition, something had been dono to modernise the syllabus, and while ho did not consider it absolutely perfect—no woTk of human skill could be that—a good deal had been done to improve it. The number of pupils receiving secondary education had increased by 3337 in six y?ars, and the number of scholarships 3 r 27. Important work had been done in the organisation of the training colleges in Auckland and Wellington. (Applause,) Again, last year Parlianwnt passed a Superannuation Act for tin teachers of, the colony, which would ImproY-e very materially their status aid condition. He believed that now we hid nearly arrived at the position whei the service should attract the very best and brightest young men and women of New Zealand, and that, at any rate, would be his aim in administering th< Department of Education. (Hear, hear;) We could not get too good material f 10m Yvhich to make teachers, and the veiy best luust be attracted. In the last six years the average attendance at technical schools had increased from 5249 to 13,704, and the total expenditure from £2296 to £34,700. Those measures that had been passed had been the spectacular work in connection with -so that they need not expect from him the dramatic effects that had been seen hi the last six years. He believed that what was required Yvas organisation, so that the machine provided might run smoothly, that the different parts of the system might dovetail together to get the [ best, results, and produce a. perfect whole. He believed that he could honestly claim to have some measure of capacity for this work of organisation; the fact that he had been able to organise his own business to enable his frequent absences on public business proved this. (Applause.) He intended to devote his energies and abilities to the work, and see what success he could attain. STEADY PROGRESS. He believed that the special desire of the country was not for a revolutionary policy. When the policy of the Government was announced it -would he found to be soundly progressive without being revolutionary, and; that the great desire of the country tva<v that the new Government should raise the administration of the affair* of the colony to the high*st possible point of efficiency—(applause); that with the aibninistration absolute; impartiality as between all classes of the community and all parts of the country; and, lastly, that we should have all economy possible consistent with the highest efficiency. (Applause.) Thait, Sic .believed, the new Government would give them. He believed that each member of that Government was animated by liigh ideals, and all'that remained was for the oemtntry to stand by the new administration and give it a fair opportunity of realising its ideals, and he believed the effect of their labours would be to secure as far as possible a fair and equal opportunity to every member of the commuiuty, and increase and extend the prosperity of oirr beloved) country. (Applause.) He thank ed them from tho bottom- of 'his heart, for the enthusiastic and cordial reception they had given him. He knew that they liad "formed a very high estimate of what he Yvas able to do. He would endeavour to the ibest of his ability not to disappoint them, and Yvhile avoiding, if possible, the snrrender of health, to give the host ho could to promote the prosperity and well-being of New Zealand.

Mr. Fowlds resumed his seat amid another storai of applause and cheering.

At the conclusion of Mr. Foyy-Icls' reply, a vote, of thanks was carried by acclamation to the contributors of the musical prograanme; and cheers were given for Mt. aud Mrs. Fowlds and the Slayor and Mayoress.

A short but excellent musical programme added to the enjoyment of the evening. From lialf-past seven until eight o'clock, an otherwise tedious wait, was pleasantly occupied by an organ recital given by Mr. T. E. Midgley. Miss E. YVhitelaw, Ij.R.A.M., earned loud .and continuous applause for a beautiful rendering of the violin solo, " Ronninza. Andalnza," while the vocal numbers.

" Mary of Argyle," by Mrs. Rylance. "Oh, Dry Those Tears," by Mrs. Suther! land. "The Oaxnrvat," by* Mr. H. Lloyd Brett, and "Awake," by Air. H. L Gass, were not a. whit less enjoyable. The accompaniments were capably played, by Mrs. Macandrew and Mr. Midgley.