COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13342, 6 February 1909, Page 10

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL.

THE HON. D. BUDDO ENTERTAINED.

The Hon. D. Buddo, member for Kaiapoi, and recently appointed Minister for Internal Affairs and Punlic Henlth. was entertained last evening by his constituents at a complimentary social. Tlie function was hold in tho Drill Hall. Kaiapoi, and was v>>_-y largely attended, there being present representatives of the most distant paxts of the constituency. The Hay or of Kaiajioi (Mr J. H. Blackwell) occupied the chair, and amongst those .•>!•.- evnl was quite a distinguished l'arXin*ntary party, including tho lion. Thos. Mackenzie (Minister of Trades and Commerce- and Tourist- Ko&orts), Hons. tieo. Jones, J. Barr. and J. Kigg. M.L.C.'s, Messrs G. Laurenson, G. W. Russell and G. W. Forb-s, M.P.», and Mr A. W. Rutherford (exmember for Hurunui).

A number of apologies were received. Tho Hon. C. C. Bowou, (Speaker of the Legi&laiive Council, wrote exprerK'ng his regret that he could not atte:°d. Tho Premier sent a felicitous <:mJ happy message. The Hon. J. Carroll telegraphed tliat it was not in his power to be present to do honour to l:is esteemed colleague, owing to the uresaure. of butiuisis at headquarters. Similar mc&*agec> were reeeivtxi- from If on. It. Mclvenzio, Hon. (i. Fowlds, Hon. l>r. l'"iii<ilay, and Hon. A. "\V. Hogg (members of the- Administration). Other apologies were received, from -Messrs R. Ueaton Rhodes, T. li. Taylor, C. A. C. Hardy. T. H. Davey, Witty and Ell, 31.P.'s.

Proc'co<ljn©> wero commenced some time after 8 p.m., when tho Chairman invited the nudienco to devote some little- intention to ••■internal affairs," by drawing on tho generous supplies spread on tho festivo board. "W-hile tho invitation was being accepted an orchestra tuned up, and iperhape out of compliment <o the visiting Minister, vlio is proud of his Highland name and blood, made the first selection, 'Blue Bonnets over the Border," with ''Charlie is my Darling" a good second. 'Tho first toast on the list was announced by the chairman, after tho refreshments interval, and tho hiss of lemonade announced that his Majesty 6 health was to be drunk in strictly temperance beverages. However, it was honoured none the less heartily or loyally. The chairman cordially welcomed the electors of the district to the gathering, which was held in honour of Mr Buddo's promotion to Ministerial rank. Mr Buddo's advancement had been hailed with satisfaction by people of all shades of political opinion in JCaiapoi. He. referred to the fact that the constituency had been previously represented by Ministers in the persons of the Hon. C. C. Bowen and the Hon. E. Richardson. Mr Buddo had the best wishes of all his constituents, and they were confident that he would discharge his duties in. the honest and straightforward manner which had always distinguished him. Tho Ministry which he had joined had some serious work to do, as they had to show that the legislation of past years could stand the strain of times that were not quite so good as those of a few years back. The chairman added that there was a galaxy of talent present, and a number of speeches -would bo given. He announced that "The Canal was to be tabooed as a subject for discussion, unless it was the Kaiapoi -Canal. (Laughter and applause.; Tho health of "Our Guest" was proposed by Mr Carl Hansen. ex-Mayor of Kaiapoi, whose eulogistic remarks were cordially supported by Mr H. Boyd, of Rangiora. On the latter devolved tho pleasing duty of presentincr to tho Minister an artistically illuminated address, handsomely framed. Both, the speakers referred- in terms of the warmest approval to Mr Buddo'e political career. The address, "which, was described by Mr Boyd as the voice of the electors -of the Kaiar>oi constituency, referred to Mr Buddo'e fifteen years of service, which had been characterised by unselfish and unswerving loyalty to b.is fellows and his country. /The health of Mr Buddo -was drunk •with musical honours.

On rising to reply, the- Minister was received with loud and continued applause. . He heartily thanked hie friends, both old/ and young, for the very flattering tribute they had paid him". He had always been imbued with a desire to secure the greatest good to the greatest -number. If he had done some good he still had to admit some mistakes. In regard to his political career, he was pleased to think that the greater portion of the policy ho had favoured when bo first camo out was now the law of the land. Hβ thanked the constituency for its loyalty to him, and said that he hoped to justify the confidence which had I>een reposed in him. He appreciated the. compliment which had been, paid him that night, and he -would always •bf proud of the fact that he represented Kaiapoi. (Loud aoplauee.) The toast of "The Ministry" wae proposed by slr A. W. Ru-thorford, who opened" with th© jocular remark that tliie was the fourth complimentary banquet ho had ottenocd in four days, and described in humorous fashion the effects of one -which was distinguished! by the -exclusive presence of temperance drinks. Dealing with, the toast, he eulogised. Mr Biiddo as a man well qualified to fill the position to which he had been called. Hβ complimented . Sir Joseph Ward' on the recent additions to the Ministry, end predicted , that the -new Cabinet, being: largely composed of Scotsmen, would be competent to deal -with the finances of t>he country, however difficult they might bo in tne future. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, replied! on behalf of the Ministry. He expressed , the pleasure which he felt at being present to do honour to his friend; and colleague, Mr Biiddo. He was a conscientious, dean living, honest man, and , with such a foundation there should be no fe.-ir as to what the results would be. Some, remarks had 1 been passed> about the connection of the Scotsmen in the Ministry , with th* , future finance of the country. He wae satisfied that the men -who wore at the Ivelm of public affairs would sco that the finances of the Dominion were carried on on sound economic lines. They know the causes which led to tho temporary depression which had been suppo«ir<l to be in the air. although it was his own belief that such depressions brought- a.bout a much sounder state of business than what unbounded' prosperity brought to a community. A depreseiou brought people to their senses. Ho had the greatest possible c-mfidenee in this grand" country. They talked, of expression when th«y -wore exporting £20.CC0.000 of produce in the year! That, however, was no justification of undue expenditure. But the men who controlled the affairs of the Dominion would not deserve the name of men if they could not administer them so as to bring some prosperity to the whole of the community. They had been told that there was Scottish blcod in the Ministry. But there was also Highland- blood in it. (Laughter and applause.) And there were two Mackenzies in it. and that at least should make a success, seeing that there was both :•. Rod and a Black Mackenzie. (Laughter.) Reverting again to politics. IMr Mackenzie tvaid that <-loser settlement of the land still stood out as one of the problems of the present

day. The solution \raa to <n»t into occupation of the lana I,**%! tenures nnd condition* the aspirations, ideals, those who took up the 1,./^ 1 ! <f=T that too much land l« not go to oue individual. When ♦kTt* , " that the country would h a "&£** lation that would produce a*A PP»*t mmonal wealth to the i cause the great basis of wealth came from the soil. to the Deportments under hU -ESS* the Minister said that h. i»I minetl to make himself quamted with the varioii^Si , **M sorts of the country. Tho DbSSSL**' , ■ ot Industries nn:l Commerce ehoS?^ 1 ■ thought act ns f ar «s safe gu>de to the Dom.n.on. It should collet 1 tistics and information. wSk' I won l>l tond to chow the prospect* of the country , * tJjiV-e Ho pointed out that cix yrar/aST*" S enquir>- by the Commerce QbbS&'l had disproved statements madfeiT*?*- m Homo authoriticA in regard- * frozen meat trade. The had been done in regard to th« w , *' m market just recently, -,\hpn the tai? ■ cnee of an alleged depression rtap , '> piovetl. Tho Commerce Departn«!ri should be eblo to ci\« the M.mo indication of what the futn»» rf these great product* were to beTeid unlciis it fulfilled that it wae what the i>eople had a right to «2t «.f it. (Applause). In conolueiao, X 1" Mackenzie made an eloquent a-pwaj fe, tho return of the beet men !&_*£* country to tho Parliament of tlfc JtTniinion. There should be tion to tho oountry, and Üb» ttolL strife and party wranehug. congratulawxl Mr Buudo on his we&L" sion u> the Ministry, and wished Jm-J----tlu> long continued conndcoco constituency. (Ixwd applause). >?t. A Highland reel, danced by M r y& ' land, to the skirling of Mr Kilgom?. ' I pij>ei>, made nn agreeable brc«3c at (|i S Tho health of "Parliament" tratML/M posed by Mr Miller, and i ~ <?s P<SkwF& S by tho members of the CouncU and llonso who uer» The Hon. Mr Jones warmly <s*fentW ~B the Council from t'he charge of jjgmt B the "fifth wheol of a coach," anfJHjj B stanced their unanimous dcairo to pj-w 9 more advanced Xand legislation jgg B members of the House dared Tho Hon. J. Barr deroted h» vpt&i >B to some eulogistic cvfnrc>aniti%\- ! Bj Mr Buddo, and some entertaiJSegV ,B re.nxiniscen.ces of Pa Messrs Laurenson, Forbes, and H<iwK.iß| niotuibers of tJie House, detit«te»>B] speeches, in which they Bj Mr Buddo on his attainment of B terinl rank. Mr Russell agreeable roforo-ncos to Mr Budd6.'itffaj<!ißJ ooirtest for Paridamentory ' teeoi yc-ars ago. He reiferred the land, for settlements ooSf'Bj Government. He wanted to c** t land, for settlements administenedi«K X for the bojiodjt of tho as'at'tSfc* H vordon, but to e>ve the largest'poe*Sfl||; ■ numbeir of people in tie couebry fftfe'2; B bemofib of tho Act. Hβ B watoli the admimistration of voxv closely indeed. t^SiS^'e Mr R. Ball (Raneiora) toast of "Local Bodies.' , on beihalf of Kaiojpoi, Mr that an enclcvtrour was push' matters along. It wae bt?|wlf&i|v.B further develop the river traffic,' gett railway connection to the-iadftfePS-B Uio a-Lver. The pmposels nxako would be of the greutflst to North Cantodbury. Mr C. Mayor of Rangiora, and Mr nell, chairman of the Mandcville Rood Board, aijo roph*d£K^'B The toasts of "The Ladies" Press" were also honoured, and responses -wcsre made by 'Messrs Jpi)Jis»J*S J. Li. Wilson, and • Fowler. l-iv&^Wni Various votes of thanks and tlien the haH was cleared ing. This amusement was kep* the youniger- fo& for some houre;\s|§/|S social was distinguished by an ingly cordial -tone throuchaxit.-ajtdinJibß thoroughly enjoyed by all pwjseii^^^e