SIR JOHN HALL'S RETIREMENT.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8738, 9 March 1894, Page 3

SIR JOHN HALL'S RETIREMENT.

PRESENTATION AT LEESTON. One of the largest and most representative gatherings ever held in the Ellesinere district took place on Wednesday night at the Town Hall, Leeston. The occasion was the presentation by his late constituents of an illuminated address to hon. Sir John Hall, in recognition of his long and faithful services as their representative ia the General Assembly. The hail was prettily decorated, the walls being hung with wreaths of evargreens and flowers. The stage was handsomely furnished as a drawing-room, aud was occupied by Sir John and LaJy Hall, the members of the Committee, and several ladies. The hall was tilled to overflowing, and as might have been expected from Sir John Hail's efforts in connection with the Female Franchise Act, there was a very large attendance of ladies. The Committee appointed to carry out the details of the gathering, and who deserve very great credit for the completeness of their arrangements, comprised Messrs D. McMillan, J. Reunie, C. Hurst, F. Jameson, j Parker Westeura, L. Mathias, Walter ; Spring, F. Overton and F. Jackson. Mr D: McMillax occupied the chair, and formally welcomed Sir John and Lady Hall. The Chairman said : —Ladies and gentlemen, —We have met this evening to do honour to one who has distinguished himself in no small degree in connection with the public affairs of the colony, but who has now determined to retire into private life. We therefore desire to show, in a humble way, our appreciation of his conduct as a statesman. I refer to my friend Sir John Hall. (Applause.) Let mc Bay how much I regret the determination of Sir John to retire from public life.'l should have liked to have seen him continue to carry on the work he has so ably done iv I the past; at any rate, up to the time—not I so very far distant —when the public would have had the opportunity of commemorating his jubilee as a statesman. (Applause.) In speaking this evening of Sir John Hall as a public man, I do nol wish to touch on party politics, and I trust the speeches of those who follow mc will be in accordance with the same rule. (Applause.) We are here to do honour to Sir John as a representative of the people, irrespective of parties. When a person is once elected, it matters not by wnom, he is tbe representative of the whole people. From the time Sir John Hall arrived in the colony—now over forty years ago —he has been actively eugaged in public duties. He was a member of the first Provincial Council of Canterbury in 1853, and except for his visit to England remained a member during the whole period of the existence of Provincial Government institutions. He was Secretary for Public Works for some considerable tune, and during his term of office carried out many works of great importance to Canterbury, notably the West Coast road. Since 1855, he has been almost continuously a member House of Representatives and has titled nearly every office in the Government of the colony, from that of Premier downwards. During the past fifteen years, excepc when absent from the colony, he has been our representative in Parliament for this district, and it is to show our appreciation of the able manner in which he has discharged his important duties that we have asked him to meet us here to-night. On two occasions Sir John was charged with the responsible duty of representing New Zealand, first at Melbourne at the Intercolonial Conference on Ocean Postal Service matters in 1857, and again in 1890, when he was one of the representatives of New Zealand at tbe Conference on Australasian Federation. With refereuce to local Government matters Sir John was largely instrumental in the inauguration in 1863 of tho Road Board system, which is still in force, and has worked so well here, and he at present occupies the position of Chairman of the Rakaia Road Board. In 1876 Sir John established the county system of government both for Canterbury and Westland, and he was Chairman of the Selwyn County Couucil for many years. He also to_k an active part in the introduction of municipal institutions into Christchurch, and was Chairman of the first Municipal Council of Christchurch for two years. He has also filled other positions of importance in the community in connection with local institutions, notably the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of which he was President. In fact, his whole life h*s been spent ia assisting to carry on the public affairs of the colony, and he has worked throughout iv a manner reflecting great ctediton himself and with eminent advantage to the colony. (Cheers.) Of all the positions Sir John has occupied there is one which often falls to the lot of public men which he has not yet filled, and that is the position of a defeated candidate. I think I am right in saying that in all the elections that Sir John has contested he always came out at the top of the poll. (Applause.) Sir John is a great and diligent worker, and painstaking to a degree. It matters not who applies to him on any subject j if he can be of any service it is promptly and willingly rendered, irrespective of political opiniou. In saying this much of Sir John, he will pardon mc for saying that I attribute much of his success as a public man to the wise counsel and assistance rendered him by Lady Hall. (Applause.) And now, Sir John, on behalf of the people of the Ellesmore district, it affords mc great pleasure to present you with this illuminated address as a small memento and in appreciation of the great services you have rendered to this district and its inhabitants. (Applause.) The address is as follows :— "To the Hon. Sir John Hall, K.C.M.G.— We, the undersigned electors of the Ellesmere district, understanding that it is not your intention to again offer yourself for re-election to the New Zealand Honse of Representatives,: of which you have for some time been the oldest member, desire, on behalf of ourselves and many others, to express our opinion of the faithful aud valuable services which you have rendered to this district and the colony generally during the last fifty years. During that period you have been almost continually a member of the New Zealand Parliament and have filled nearly every Ministerial office in the Government of the colony. You were also a member of the Canterbury Provincial Couucil while it "lasted, and have taken an active part in the work of the various bodies by which our locaj Government is administered. Although many of us have differed from you in political opinions, we gladly acknowledge that you have discharged your important legislative aud administrative functions with great credit to yourself and eminent advantage to the colony. We'also desire to bear testimony to the painstaking manner in which, during the long-period you have represented this district, you have attended to local requirements, without any regard to the political opinions of those by whom they were brought under your notice. In conclusion we beg to express our sincere appreciation of the value of your long, useful, and honourable career, aud we hope that you may be spared for many years in the enjoyment of happiness and health to your family and friends." The address, I may say, has beea signed by about three bundled of your late constituents. (Applause). Mr Rejjnie said • he was very much pleased to see so large an assemblage met there that evening to do hononr to Sir John and Lady Halt (Applause). He (Mr Rennie) had been very strongly opposed to Sir John Hall in politics, but -till he could not but admire the industry and zeal which he had always displayed in everything he undertook, more especially with regard to public matters. This it was he thought which had biought Sir John to the front rank of their public men. (Applause). They must remember that in the old days the men who came forward in public matters had the work cast upon them not only oi giviug their time and labour for the public good, but they had also to initiate everything, everything to frame and everything to start, as all was new and untried. It had been the fashion to blame Sir John Hall for having in the past been too good to the squatters, but they must remember that the country had to be opened up, aud that sheep had to be placed ou the land in order that a practical start might be made with the work of colonisation. Tbose who went out into the wilds beyond the rivers in those days deserved, he thought, a little encouragement* Whatever might be the opiniou on this point, however, on one subject all classes were agreed that Sir John Hall

was, without exception, one of the best members they could send to the House of Representatives. (Applause.) Ho could not but express his deep regret that Sir John Hall was retiring from public life. Sir John belonged to a class of men who were fast passing away, and who, when they were gone, the country would miss most seriously. (Applause.) He trusted that though Sir John Hall was retiring from political life he would yet be able to be useful to the couutry in general aud Canterbury in particular in many other ways for a good number of years to come. (Applause.) Mr Fredk. Jameson said he had beeu deputed by the ladies of Leestou to preseut a bouquet to Lady Hall iv token of their pleasure at seeing her for the first time iv the district. (Applause.) Mr Jameson's little daughter then presented Lady Hall with a beautiful bouquet in a silver holder. Sir John Hall, who w.*s loudly cheered on rising, said—Ladies aud gentlemen,—l desire fiist to th__k you most heartily qn behalf of Lady Hail ior the very haudsome bouquet whicn has been presented to her by tlie ladies of Leestou. (Applause.) As to myself, let mc suy that I do not intend to make a long speech, but there are oue or two points to which I must briefly refer. The feelings to which the present meeting give rise are necessarily mixed. Oa the one hand it is a heartfelt pleasure to receive from so large a gathering so flattering a proof ot their approval aud goodwill; but on the other there ia something saddeuing iv the reflection that it means bidding a formal good-bye to the work in which the best part of my life has beeu spent, aud in which I contiuue to take a deep and abiding interest. For another reason it is difficult for mc to reply to this address. It is customary on occasions of this kind for an old politician to dwell on the contests in which he has been engaged, and to glorify the principles aud measurer* for which he has fought. But the friends who have come together to-night are not those only by whose side I have fought, but a[so those agaiu3t whom it has been my lot to contend. It would be ungrateful and ungeuerous if I were to improve this occasion by saying what they might disagree with but could not reply to. (Applause.) This is neither the time nor the place for controversy, and I will avoid it. Fortunately there are some questions which by lapse of time have ceased to be matters of controversy, and may be almost ranked as ancient history. Ou one or two of these I will Bay a few words. We are often told that men, and women too, are apt to idealise the past, and to let their imagination shed a rosy tint over byegone days, which they think and speak of as the " good old times." Ido not think this is a weakness of the younger race of colonial politicians. On the contrary, they seem to consider our older public men as, perhaps well enough for their day, but iv reality little more than unenlightened relics of a worn-out old world. They patronise us old people as interesting fossils who appear to have come out of Noah's ark. I confess, however, to a weakness for the old days of Canterbury. (Applause) I think the work done in the old Proviucial days, and the men who did it, deserve to be held in grateful recollection. The administration, at whose head were men like FitzGerald, Sefton Moorhouse and Wm. Rolleston, was characterised by honesty, ability, and intelligent dealing with the difficult circumstances of a new country. (Applause.) I was a member of the first Provincial Council, and of the last. Most of my old colleagues have long since passed away. They would have done credit to any Legislature. Perhaps their Parmentary education would nowadays be considered iucomplete. Iv their days " stonewalling" was unborn, and deliberate obstruction was an unknown art. Men of ordinary physical powers could do their duty with satisfaction ; and the whole proceedings of the Council would compare favourably with those of the august body to which we now look for political salvation. It has been well said that the history and character of a Government may be read in the monuments which it leaves behind. When we consider what our Canterbury Provincial Government has left behind, especially iv tho matter of public works — when we look at the : roads, bridges, harbour works, and even railroads, by which the province was opened up; when we look on the large immigration which was secured; on the liberal education system which was erected, and on the fact, which statistics prove, that in proportion to bur available agricultural area a larger amount of actual settlement was Secured, and more agricultural pro duce was raised than in any other part of tbe colony, we are justified in believing that the days of the Provincial Government were some of Canterbury's best days. (Applause.) It has been said, and I think with truth, that no part of the colonial empire, unaided by mineral wealth, ever made more rapid progress in: solid and permanent settlement than did Canterbury iv the days of its Provincial Government. (Applause.) I will only add that if the work of other Provinces had been as well done as that of Canterbury, provincial institutions might have remained in existence to tne present day. (Appltuse.) There are some other publio subjects which I should like to speak upon, but to which, as they are still in the range ot party politics, I will not refer. But the question of Women's franchise has now passed out of the range of party politics; there seems now to be no difference of opinion upon the subject. Nearly every politician, and of course every candidate, is in favour of it. I cannot lose this opportunity of congratulating the fairer part of our population not only on the grant of women's suffrage but on its apparent success. (Applause.) I congratulate the women of the colony not merely on the right to vote being conceded by Parliament, but still more On the extent to Which they have availed themselves of it. It was said by the opponents of the measure that the women would not avail themselves of the franchise if it were granted to them, but the fact that some 100,000 women registered their votes throughout the colony, and of these some 90,000 voted at the last election proves that they were mistaken. As to the effect of the women's vote on the fortunes of one or other of the political parties, 1 do not think it worth my while to enquire. I only know that whether women huve voted on one Bide or the other they have as much right to a voice in the Government of the country and in making the laws by which they are bound as men have. (Applause.) That the women in New Zealand have exercised the right in such large numbers, and in so orderly and apparently so intelligent a manner, seems to mc to constitute a powerful argument for similar concessions being made in other lauds. (Applause.) It has been said more than once that I had predicted that the women's vote would give the preponderance to tho Opposition party. Nothing is further from the truth; I defy anyone to quote a single expression of mine which will bear out such an assertion. All I have ever said is that I believed it would increase the influence of the family and of settled colonists as against the unsettled wandering single man, and I have no doubt it has done ao. Under an efficient ballot system, such as we possess, it is impossible to know how the votes of any class of electors have been cast. According, however, to the best information I have been able to gather, I believe that where a temperance candidate has been in the field the influence of the women's vote has been given in his favour irrespective of other considerations. But where this was not tbe case they appear as a rule to have voted with their male belongings, and, except under the circumstances I have mentioued, the result of the recent elections on the fate of parties would, I believe, have been the same as it has been if the women bad not voted at all. One word, ladies and gentlemen, on a personal matter to which I should not have alluded but for a recent speech by a Minister of the Crown. An amusing controversy has arisen an to who is entitled to the . credit of enfranchising women iv New Zealand. A Press Association telegram, reporting a speech of the Hon. Mr Ward to distinguished Australasian visitors lately, contains the following words:—" On the question of female franchise, the Ministry had been accused of decei-fulness, tortuous conduct, and insincerity, yet the fact remained that it was the beddon Ministry, and they only, who conferred the franchise on women, whatever might be said to the contrary," This . is. truly one of the most extraordinary flights of fancy I ever heard I freely admit chat my hame has been plaoed too exclusively in the 4roat

with regard to the movement. It is trua I have worked for thirteen years to keep ! the claims of women to the franchise before the public and before one Government after another, and have thus had something to.do I with its success. But others—men and I women too, not Ministers-have worked consistently and steadily in the same cause, aud have helped to prove to Parliament and to Ministers not only that all arguments ! were ia our favour, but that a vast pre* i ponderance of public opinion was ou our ! side, and that Ministers must either pass the 1 measure themselves or have it passed over their heads. (Applause). I received a proof of what the opiuiou of the Premier on the subject was when tho Bill became law. So soon as it was finally passed Mr Seddon came across tho floor oi tho House aud asked mc if as a memento of the important event I would accept a copy of the Act printed on parchment. I accepted the offer gratefully, and promised to give the interesting document a place in my family archives. But.l am sorry to say that this is the last I have heard of the matter, and the place in my family archives reserved for the Prime Minister's present is still vacant. The valuable parchment may perhaps have found its way into the Seddoaiau family archives, aud if Mr Scddon should by any cuaucc road the report of this gathering he may yet see his way to redeem the promise made to mo. (Applause). Turning to another subject, I wish I could congratulate you on the present and prospective prosperity of this portion of the colony, and I cauuot but think that those who now attempt to do so are perpetrating a cruel mockery. Unfortunate seasons and miiorable markets have dealt a heavy blow to the farming industry iv this portion of tho colony, aud of cours; trading aud other interests share iv tho depression. The circumstances call for every assistance which a Government can give, but in reality, though a Government can do much to cause depression, they cannot do mum to oure it. This cure must come from the courage, the seif-deniaH, and the patient thrift of the men who are now suffering so grievously, I viz., the fanners, who are the back bone of I the colony. (Applause). Turning now from public questious, let mc again say that, though this is the pleasantest of many | pleasant evenings I have spent in this ' room, yet it has for mc its unpleasant side. It means parting from old associations and old friends. Publio work when engaged in not from selfish or ambitious but from a sincere desire to do publio good, is one of the best and worthiest occupations to which a man cau devote himselt, and ought not to be lightly abandoned. Especially is this the case when a man has beeu treated with the consideration which 1 have received from the public geuerally aud particularly from this constituency. "No man ever had better constituents. You have not always agreed with my opinions or approved my acts (I am conscious of many mistakes and many shortcomings), but you have beeu " To my virtues ever kind ; To my faults a little blind." Of one failing I trust you will acquit mc, and that is of having for the sake of popularity concealed my actual opinions, or pro* fessed those I did not really hold. (Applause.) Unpopularity has from time to time befallen mc, out I have to thank the electors of this as well as other districts for never during forty years of almost constant political contests having ou any occasion placed mc at the .bottom of the poll. (Applause.) Some of my friends twit mo with beiug fond of work, and one of them, with whom I was remonstrating ou his indolence, retorted that he deserved more credit for doing a day's work than I did for a whole week's. This is not quite correct. Yet Ido believe - thoroughly that a life which is not a life of | labour is not worth living and is a wasted | existence But there ii a time for all things. At three score and ton a man's capacity for usefulness is generally lessened, and I have long thought that at that time he should give place to younger men. As many ot you are • aware, my decieiou has not been hastily or recently arrived at. I feel that my old tasks can no longer be efficiently performed and that it is my duty to make way for a younger man. On behalf of myself and of those who are closely connected with mc I now thank you most sincerely for the many kindnesses which during many years I have received from Elleamere electors of all shades of opinion. I thank you for the compliment you h*ve paid mc in coming here to-night in such large numbers, ana lastly I thank you for- this very handsome address, so numerously signed as it is by old supporters as well as old opponents. You could not have given mc a more acceptable gift. Tbe sight of it will during the feu years I may yet be spared often wake very pleasant memories, and it will be one of the most valuable possessions I shall leave be* bind mc. (Applause). Finally let mc assure you that I shall carry into my retirement a deep add abiding interest in the progress and prosperity of New Zealand, and especially of that portion of it with which I have been ao long and so iutimately associated. (Prolonged applause.) Mr John MoLaohlan, M.H.R., said that the remarks of the Chairman had suggested something that he could say with regard to Sir John's career. He (Mr MoLachlan) had been instrumental, with four other gentlemen, in bringing Sir John Hall out of the Legislative Council to represent the district iv the Lower House, and he afterwards became Premier. He still regarded Sir John Hall as one of the cleverest statesmen in New Zealand. As regarded the Women's Franohise Bill, there was no doubt as to Sir Johu Hall's claim to having introduced it, and he had dabbed Sir John the Ladies' Apostle. He trusted that Sir John would live to see the women's franohise extended to all parts of the British dominions. (Applause.) He wished Sir John a pleasant voyage to England and a speedy return to live amongst them. (Applause.) During the eveuing Mr Freeman dispensed tea and light refreshments. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and three cheers for Sir John and Lady Hall concluded the proceedi-gs.