ENTERTAINED BY NEW ZEALANDERS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12506, 19 May 1906, Page 9

ENTERTAINED BY NEW ZEALANDERS.

A BRILLIANT FUNCTION

(Received May 19th, 1.40 a.m.)

SYDNEY, May 18,

The New Zealanders' banquet and reception to Mr Seddon was the most brilliant function yet carried out by tlie New Zealand community.

Mx Jackson, of the Union Company, presided, and amongst the guests were members of the State Cabinet, and Mr F. T. Bullen, the novelist. Apologies wore received from Mr Doakin and Sir

Wm. Lyne,

The Chairman, in proposing the health of Mr Seddon, said that amongst the Tibmes which readily occurred to them as those of men who had done much for the Empire, wero those of Sir George Grey, Sir Henry Parkes, Sir John McDonald of Canada, and Mr Seddon. He

paid a high tribute to the nuun "who first came into public life as a champion of rugged minors in Westland, and' who for thirteen years h;us guided the destiny of New Zealand."

..j.r Beddon replied in a vigorous speech. He expressed gratitude for the in which his health" had been drunk. The honour done to the colony through him was enhanced by the presence of the Ministry of tlie Mother State. He expressed pleasure at the statement made by Sir Malcolm McEarchan in regard to tho popularity of New Zealand, and although .'t might be that Australia at present was not t>poken of as favourably as his own colony, he looked forward to the day when she would occupy the foremost position in tho Empire. He found there was a. disposition on the part of loaders in public lifo to ask whether this or that aot-ion. would be popular. Public men Bhould be leaders instead of being lead, and should, fearlessly voice that which they believed to bo good. He strenuously advocated racial purity. Any other course meant deterioration and endangered the Empire. Ho spoke feelingly of the great mortality among infante, and said that one of the things lie was proudest of was that New Zealand had the lowest death-rate iv tho world. He was determined that the system of training nurses should be carried to such an extent that every hamlet and every soul should be within reach of trained nursing. One thing he intended to see about when he returned to New Zealand, was the question of leaving more New Zealand news sent to the Australian press.

Mr Seddon proposed the health of Mr Carruthers, the State Premier, who, in replying, said that no colony was deservinig of so much respect from New South Wales as New Zealand. In the dark hours of the Mother colony, in times of drought and bush fires, New Zealand was the first to offer assistance. New Zealanders who came to New South Wales, and found occupation' in various walks of life were heartily welcome, because of their grit, manliness, and character. The Government were glad to follow what was good, add to leave alone that which they did not agree with, in New Zealand's legislation. They had recently followed New Zealand in the matter of a tourist bureau and were already feeling the benefit of this. Mr Seddon was a leader in Imperialistio ideas and was a leader he was always glad to follow.

Mr Seddon proposed tho health of the chairman, and referred to the great company he represented as playing a conspicuous part in- the development of New Zealand and said they looked to the company's future eupport for closer relationship between the Commonwealth and his colony. Only a few days ago he had with pleasure attended a most cordial send off to Mr James Mills. Lord Northoote entertained Mr Seddon at lunch to-day.