A CIVIC DINNER.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14238, 29 December 1911, Page 7

A CIVIC DINNER.

MOST SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.

SPEECH BY THE GOVEHN'OR

Tlie civic dinner given by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. J. iDougall) in honour of his Excellency, Lord Islington, in tlie City Council Chambers last night proved to be a most successful function. The • gathering was a most- representative one, and some, notable speeches were made. His Worship presided, and the following guests were present:—On tho right of the Mayor: His Excellency the Governor, Bishop Julius, Sir Charles Bowen (Speaker of tho Legislative Council), Hon. H. F. Wigrara, Captain Shannon, A.D.C., Cr. H. B. Sorensen (Consul for Denmark). Cr. W. H. Cooper, Mr A. L. Parsons (chairman of tho Christchurch Fire Board), Cr. F. Burgoyno, Or. W. 11. Smith, Cr. A. Williams, Mr A. D. Dobson (City Surveyor), Roy. C. H. Laws, Mr L. M. Jsitt, M.P.. Mr T. A. B. Bailey. S.M., Mr A. Kayo, Mr G. do Vries (Vice-Consul for Netherlands), and Mr G. W. Russell, M.P. On tho left of the Mayor: Mr Justice Denniston, Bishop Grimes, Sir Arthur Guinness (Speaker of the House of Representatives), Hon. C. C. Louisson (Consul for Liberia), Mr A. C. Day (assistant private secretary to his Excellency), Mr W. 11. Triggs, Mr Geo. T. Booth' (chairman of tho Christchurch Tramway Board), Mr Geo. Harper, Mr H. J. Otley. Mr Walter Hill (chairman of tho Christchurch Drainage Board), Cr. C. D. Morris, Mr H. R. Smith (Town Clerk), Mr G. Hulme, Dr. Thacker, Rev. Father Price, Cr. E. Smith, Mr A. Boy'ie, Mr F. Graham (Consul for the United States), Mr H. G. Ell, M.P.-, and Mr Geo. Humphreys (Consul for France). After tho toast of "Tho King was honoured, tho Mayor rose to proposo tho toast of "His Excellency the Governor." His Worship said it was at least doubtful whether amongst tho' many Governors New Zealand had had, there was one with quite the samo qualifications as those possessed by Lord Islington. (Hoar, hear.) Previous Governors, when they loft New Zealand, carried away with them to tho Old Country a deep love and veneration for tho peoplo of Now Zealand, and when tho time arrived for Lord Islington to leave, no felt that his Excellency would carry away with him the same lovo and esteem for the country and its people. (Applauso.) Ix>rd Islington had been a great many things in his time. Ho was a Parliamentarian of very groat experience, ho had alsnboon closely connected with municipfii matters at Home, and as a member oi tho London County Council had tho opportunity of coming into close contact with ono of the greatest organisations in tho world: Were his Excellency at liberty to do so. he could give to tho people of Now Zealand tho benefit of his great experience and knowledge. His Excellency was also a abldipr, and, carried war medals on his left breast. His Excollency had also tho privilo>;e of carrying tho insignia of tho ■Distinguished Service Order, and ho hod also a medal testifying to tho fact that ho had served with distinction in war. (Applause.) In times of political emergency his Excollency was undoubtedly fully qualified to deal with anything tliat might occur in this small country. New Zealand waa a small country, bub it was a country which had dono a great deal. It might be said that tho country was one of exporinacntsi and, to a certain extent, that was true. Tho country had dealt in" experimental, legislation over since the _ay it became a self-governing country. One of the first acts the New Zealand Legislature did was to -wipe out all the cumbrous methods of dealing with land. If that happened to-day" it would be regarded as a radical and progressive measure, but 'because it happened some (sixty or so years ago it probably would not bo viewed in that light. New Zea-. land could not have progressed as she had had it not been for tho' protection afforded by tho British flag and fleet, and the people of the country had every reason to "be thankful for, that" protection which had enabled them to work out in their own- way their little # social problems, and to see whether* they were likely to bo of benefit to t_« country generally.' Ho -was doubtful whether tho people properly realised tho great value of these benefits. He remembered hearing a speaker at a public meeting declare that "Thank God, ho had no country and no flag." Tho worst fate ho could wish that man and those who thought with him was that' they might have their aspirations fulfilled. (Hear, hear.) He said God savo New Zealand, and God save any country from having a community who said they had no flag. "I say," concluded the Mayor, "long may wo line happy and prosperous under Britain's beneficent flag." (Loud applauso.) . HIS EXCELLENCY'S SPEECH. His Excellency, in responding, made a most telling speech. "I desire," ho said, **to thank you, Mr "Mayor, for tho graceful and kindly terms in wnich-yon hay© alluded to mc in tho course of your speech. And I desiro to convey' to all of you gentlemen who are present hore this evening,my smoero appreciation of the cordiality of the welcome you have extended to mc as .your guest at this evening's banqjKrt- I am deeply scnsiblo of tho compliment- yon ha\'o paid mc, Mr Mayor, in extending to mo your hospitality this evening, and organising on so representative a scale this dinner in my honour, comprising so many eminent men ia Christchurch. You have thus happily devised a most pleasing and agreeable moMiB of genial intercourse and meeting, dnring my residence in your city, between myself as the representative of tho Crown, and tlie leading citizens of Cliristchurch. I need hardly say how much I welcome such occasions, because I hopo my terra of office as Governor of Tjfow Zealand has now been of sufficient duration for you, ono and all, to realise that my chief object and ambition during that term, is to associate mjyolf as intimately and sympathetically as possible with the national life and the peonlo throu_hout the Dominion. And it was in order to give effect to this object that her Excellency and I have come to reside in your midst for a period. To enablo us to enjoy for a time the' natural charms with which yonr fair city and province co richly abound; and* to study tho various institutions and movements with whioh Christchurch is so generously furnished. And more especially to meet and have intercourse with those ladies and gentlemen who are engaged in the conduct and administration of such movements. it i 9 in this way, by sympathy and encouragement that a Governor and his wife can, I.helievc, render some service in their official position dnring their term of office. I am told it is sometimes thought by a few that under the influence of extended freedom of the Constitution with tho onward march of national development and independence, the position of a Goveror in » distant self-governing Dominion has'uecomo one so sinecure in character that it may almost be regarded as a superfluous luxury. (No, no.) I do not hold that view myself, nor do I believe yon hold it either. It is quite true a Governor has no lot or part in the pol» tical lifo of a Dominion, over which h_ nominally governs. Ho knows no dis~ tiction between either or any party. Ho has no preference for one or the other. In fact, it may bo _aid of a Governor under our modern system, whose duties

necessitate frequent speeches, that— •'whilst ho has to think what he is going to-say beforo each—ho must nePer under any circumstances say what he really thinks." (Laughter.) If I wore to diverge from that 1 should very won find myself in troubled waters. lhat may seem a somewhat weak and paradoxical position for anyone to occupy, but, as a matter of fact, I behove, herein lies the strength' that attaches to the position I occupy. Because, whilst I am the very last person to disparage or undervalue the supreme importance to a country of. its active political, life, and the extent to which a country is influenced for weal or woo by that activity, I am at the same time more and more convinced from my experience of public life—now extending over a considerable period, and pretty various as well—that in our modern civilisation, intricate and complex as it is becoming moro and more as tho world advances—not only is there room for, but indeed actually a demand for a great mass of humane and social work requiring attention, that stands right outside the currents of politics and political controversy, (hear, hear), but which is as vital and essential to the moral and physical character of a country as any legislation tliat is placed on tho Statute Book. Tho institutions of your own city of Christchurch, the institutions by tho score that I havo I'isited all over New Zealand, are an eloquent illustration of the truth of what I say. And though youra is a nc-n- country, though at present your population is small, though you still enjoy tho possession much coveted by old countries, of a community comparatively free from extreme, poverty and distressyet I am sure you could not afford to omit or forego a singlo institution of those I havo visited in Now Zealand, wjitlhauit bringing hardship or distress on somo portion of the community. (Hear, hear). Ii that is true—and I am suro you agree it is ? o—then, indeed, there is work for a Governor to perform in a constitutional Country like New Zealand. He and his wife can champion tho cause of these institution.*; ho can lend his aid and sympathy to them ; ho can encourage those who aro engaged in the administration and conduct of those institutions, and simulate thena to still further endeavour. Whilst* I hope he may not bo altogether unsuccessful, if he applies himself to the task, in inducing and persuading others who have hitherto abstained, and who pos_ess tho leisuro and ability, to .join their fellow citizens in supporting and assisting in ono branch or another in this groat national work, as administrators of thoja numberless institutions for men and women, and boys and girls, which comprise the social machinery of the-country, and go to tho root of ite stability and strength If this branch of human activity, to which I am making special allusion this evening, docs not offer tlie same excitement and dramatic attraction as politics, it at least offers this great attraction to all who will enter its ranks. The knowledge and conviction that help is being afforded when help is most required; sympathy and advice given—and that of itself, believe mc, brings its own re,ward to those who co-operate and assist in it. (Applause.) Now it may be fiftid that although 1 have been nominally in residenco at/Christchurch for the past two months, yet, during a largo portion of that time I have been away. Somo of you may regard mo as „ somewhat elusive and wan'dcring Governor. It is quite truo: I havo been through many parts of this Island; also to Auckland. Whilst I regret that these various and distant visits haye prevented mo from taking part in somo of the Christmas ceremonies in this town which I should havo attended had I been here, stdl, I cannot but feel great satisfaction in what I* have seen on those journeys. Each, and all, have contributed, largely to tho interests and knowledge I am acquiring of New Zealand and -.ts peoplo and its movements. My visit to tho ; northern city of Auckland was in pursuance of a long-mado to the Mayor of that city to open the ■new Town Hall, and take part in the week's celebrations to comn4eroorato that ' important occasion. 1 was glad to see you ."Mr- Mayor, were present on that occasion. May I say I was glad for two reasons to see you there. First,, booauso I am i suro it was a pleasant, if short, interlude and release to you in the course of tho heavy work that you must be j immersed in as First Magistrate of this city; arid secondly, becauso I_am sure yott and your colleagues "wiu agree I that tho more interchange of thought; and idea that can be brought about between the chief centres of commerce and industry in "this Dominion, as represented by its leading publio citizens, tho greater the advantages that must result to thoso centres, and therefore to the Dominion. (Hear, hear.) You have, Mr Mayor, acquired fresh-ideas as a result of that visit, which wfll be of profit to t Christchurch, among other, things, the great advantage to a city of largo dimensions in tho possession of a Town Hall, (loud applause), whilst doubtless you havo imparted fresh ideas in course of your conversation with those in Auckland, which will be of benefit to Auckland. You will have.seen that Auckland is making giant strides, boih as a port and as tho centro or :i very fine and-productive agricultural province, Btill in process of development, and you will havo realised the closer the contract, and the more frequent tho interchange, not only of ideas, but also of,trade and business you can have, tho more it will bo seen that tho interests of tho various centres and. districts of New Zealand aro not merely identical, but indeed are reciprocal, so that the progress of one part mil reflect itself on another, and so add to the aggregate wealth of New Zealand. But tho onward march of New Zealand depends for its permanence and stability not so much on the rapid development of a single centro, as of the steady progress and development of all the centres. (Applause.J I Bhould like to *add a word in this connection with regard to tho extended tour I have recently made in this island to tho North and West Coast. I went to the West Coisr, in the belief that my attention would be confined to admiring tho scenery, and seeing tho industries of gold and coal at work, which have chiefly made that district famo is in the past. But 1 found when thoro something more than that to interest and gratify mc, and strangely enough, I do not believe what I am going to say is fully realised by peoplo who live on this coast, nor is it yet appreciated but partially by thoso who live.on the West Coast itself, and it is that all down that western belt there is" land is abundance that in duo course will become highly profitable for , dairy farmers. (Applause.) Were I to make a prediction about that country I would say that a conrparatively few years will prove thai large tracts of' that wooded conntry—especially tho valleys—will furnish a profitable' career for a numbe. of, sottlers, who will be able substantially to increase the export of first-class butter and cheese to tho Home and oversea markets. The country has been scarcely scratched at present, but sufficiently so to show beyond question that dairy farming can ba conducted on a most satisfactory and profitable scale, and thar, .butter and cheese can be produced second to none in tho London market. (Applause.) There are seven butler factories, and one cheese factory already in operation, some of which I visited. The output last year was 195 tons- of butter and 39 : tons of cheese. ■ Ab an enterprising ■ettkr pwt itjpertinently to mc on one sentence:—"Havo down, with the trees and up with the grass, and this country will flourish along with tho best." The. completion of the main railway across the island will not merely bring these facts more vividly before you, but will, 1 am confident, cxeato an immense quickening ; of: trade activity between

tho East and West, and be tho means of opening up fresh country in the centre of this island for agricultural.purposes. (Hear, hear.) There is ono other topic I would ask your attention to before I sit down. "I have dwelt hitherto upon that aspect of national life which may. be regarded as not standing outside the category of appropriate subjects for anyone occupying my position to disciua* But it cannot bo forgotten that every British subject "of the Crown, wlierever he may bo. —whether in New Zealand or elsewhere—has, necessarily, imposed upon hhn tho double responsibility of being both a citizen of his own country, arid a member of the British Empire. (Applause.) He has, at one and the sanio time, to ba thinking of the progress of those movements that are good for his own country, and those which are good for the advancement of the Empire. Most of you whom I am now addressing have recently been actively engaged in the former* of theso occupations, and, according to the opinions you hold, you approach your task . from different points of view. To some no doubt the results of that cocjLest havo been gratifying, and to others distressing. Hut wliatcver the divergences may be in your national policy, I believo I am safe'in saying thero is no divergence in your Imperial creed and aspirations. (Hear, hear.) And that you all desire to see New Zealand, and the other Dominions and Dependencies, co-operat-ing together in one organic Empire, for these purposes of common concern to all, and in the interests of that peace and security upon which tho progress and prosperity of each and all so greatly depend. Imperial unity, by which*l mean that voluntary co-opera-tion between the various parts of the Empire, has mado gratifying strides in the past generation. Those strides are real, though to many thoy may not bo bo apparent. Perhaps only those whose business it is to be concerned with the work can fully appreciate the innumerable links there are from numberless quarters, and which, taken in the aggregate, creato an ever-increas-inp- concord within the Empire. But what I think true and obvious to most and which may be regarded as of tho deepest and most hopeful significance to the future, is tho fact, that never in the history of the British Empire has tho conviction been more universal whenever a definite expression is mado, that national freedom and Imperial unity aro not only compatible factors in our British Constitution, but supplementary to each other. And just as the scopo of freedom has developed in tho national life, so, to a corresponding extent has tho adherence to tho Imperial tie becomo closer and stronger. I am one of- thoso who, in a confident spirit, believe that Imperial consolidation will, as years' advance, develop moro and more on practical linos. Its final accomplishment can only como about by gradual process — it may take years. It cannot be forced in front of public opinion, and it will hot be the work of any individual, however inspired but it will como by the steady trend of public opinion, realising moro and moro that in practical unity is to bo found the surest guarantee against foreign or outside disturbance. Each Dominion is coming to realise more and more that under tho British flag a system of Constitutional Government which has been established and is being enjoyed, is better adapted to the instincts and genius ot the British people than any other that has yet been devised. To preserve which intact and unimpaired is worth whatever effort and sacrifice Imperial unity majy entail. Forgive, mc for the length of my speech. My excuse for speaking thus to you is because by your hospitality to-night you hay© given mc an agreeable and favourable opportunity to discuss Avith you some of those factors in your national life which aro brought under my observation in the courso of my official journeys—and factors which I ( believo . constitutp in measure the framework of your national progress. I want you to believe that that prosperity is of intimate concern to mc, and I share that feeling with you not merely because for the time bejng I occupy the # high position of being tho representative of the Crown, but because I am proud to fool that I am a fellow British subject along with you. privileged tor pay allegiance to the same King and proud to serve under the same flag." His Excellency's speech was followed by loud and continued applauso. "PARLIAMENT OF NEW ZEALAND." The next toast, "Tho Parliament of New Zealand," was proposed by Mr Justice Denniston. His Honour said that New Zealand had reason to bo proud of its Parliamentary history. He had often thought that much of the success of tho Parliamentary institutions of this country was due to tlie fact that tho systematic and careful, method of the early colonisation of New Zealand gave to. the earlier Parliaments a number of educated men, many of whom had taken an active part in political life in England. Theso brought to the earlier "Parliaments ability, experience, and enthusiasm. He need not mention their names; those present were all familiar with them. He thought it was a great thing to bo able to say that subsequent Parliaments had lived up to th§ high standard thus sot. One must admire tho dignity and decorum with which tlie Parliaments of New Zealand had always conducted their proceedings, and there had always been a total absence of such scenes which, if comparisons were not odious, he might mention as having taken place in another colony not very far distant. For .that the country was indebted to a long lino of capable and able Speakers. (Hear, hear.) Although thero might be some difference of opinion as to tho results of tho work of Parliament, all must unite in appreciating tho unselfish devotion and the energy and ability which animated all tho members in the performance of their public duties. He thought the people of New Zealand could congratulate themselves on the courage and ability vnth which successive Parliaments had grappled with tho changed conditions in tho life of the country, and especially tho way they had adapted themselves to new circumstances, meeting new conditions by now methods. It must bo left to timo to decide the value of some of tho methods, but whatever else Parliament __ had done, it had attracted to New Zealand a largo amount of attention from all over the world. Tlie history of the New Zealand Parliament, however, was all beforo it. It was now in its swaddling clothes, and if it escaped the perils of infancy it might well be expected to have a strenuous and stormy adolescence, but ho had no doubt it would survive that. All they could do at the present moment was to wish it a prosperous New Year. (Laughter.) Sir Charles Bowen, Speaker of the Legislative Council, who'replied to the toast, said that he had had "a long Parliamentary experienco in New Zealarid, and what struck him more than anything was the feeling of intense loyalty and publio spiritedness which characterised both Houses.- He was sure that I no other British colony showed a greater j loyalty to the Empiro than New Zea- ! land did. The Paxhament of NewZealand would, he felt sure, always maintain the feeling that they were representatives, not only of this little country, but to a certain degree also the ropresantatives of the British Enij pire. (Hear, hear.) Tho colonies would be tho bulwarks of the Empire when stressful times came and the stronger the colonies were the greater would be tho value of their help. He had experience enough of the Parliament of New Zealand to know its loyalty to tho Empire, and ho felt sure that Parliament would bo equally loyal in the future." Sir Arthur Guinness,, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who also replied, to the toast, said that the Parliaments in tho past had "been, generally.

speaking, a credit to the Dominion- He ci>uld not say what tho Parliament just returned would be, because thero were so many now members in it. It had mot met yet, and it was not possible to say what was likely to happen. Howover, on that question he did not want to speak at tlie present moment. That was a secret which he was not called upon to divulge. He would say this, that the Parliament of .xow Zealand had always been able to grapple with the great political questions winch from tima to timo were brought forward. Parliament, no doubt, had made many mistakes, but this Dominion possessed such wonderful resources and such good colonists, that the people need have no fear of any harm being don© to the Dominion by any rash or illconsidered measures which Parliament might pass. Kb felt that in Christchurch ho had come to the homo of many of the greatest political leaders that New Zealand ever had. These were mon whom tho young people in New Zealand should follow, for it was largely to their work that New Zealand became- one of the brightest gems of the Empire. Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., who also responded, said ho thought that on the wholo the Parliament of New Zealand had done a vast amount of good for the country, and that should be the aim of every Parliament. Politics at the present time were in a state of flux, but from the present chaos he hoped a period of calm would follow, which would enablo Parliament to be of still further benefit to tho people in the coming years. "CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL." The next toast honoured was that of "The Christchurch. City Council," the proposer being the Hon. H. F. Wigram. Mr Wigram said he wished to thank the members of the Council who accorded him such loyal support when he was Mayor. He did not suppose many people realised the immense amount of time and work councillors gavo to the affairs of the city. Most of the work was done in committee, and the public heard nothing about it. Mr Wigram then detailed humorously the many branches of knowledge and business a councillor was expected to bo an expert in. Continuing, he said ho did not think there was any city in the Dominion which was better constituted after less than fifty years of municipal work. Cr. Cooper, who responded, also referred to the large amount of work a councillor was bound to perform to discharge his duties efficiently, adding that councillors got nothing for their work except kicks. The desire of the Council was to get the best value for tlie money it had at its command, and he claimed they had done that. Auckland, ho said, possessed a large revenue from endowments, whereas Christchurch had very little, but with its limited means the Council had done very well indeed. Cr. Burgoyno also responded. Ho said that the city was making good progress along sound lines, and he believed that although the income of the I Council was limited it had been used to the best advantage. As time went on ! ho believed that Christchurch would be if not the best city in New Zealand, at | all events not vory far behind. [ "HIS WORSHIP." i' The last toast of the -evening; was 1 that of "His Worship the Mayor," which was proposed by his Excellency. Lord Islington said ho wished especially to thank the Mayor for giving him tho opportunity of meeting so i many of the eminent citizens of Christchurch under such agreeablo circumstances, and ho would bear away with I him recollections of a most pleasant and successful gathering. Mr Dougall, m reply, thanked His Excellency for his kindly references. He said he was very much struck with the fine note running through His Excellency's speech. That speech, ho I thought, would do a great deal of good j not only to those present that evening, but genorally Zealand. The speech preciated as" being full or sound commonsensc, and would sot an aspiration which they should all strive to achieve. Cheers "wero given for the Mayor, •His Excellency and Lady Islington, and tho banquet closed with the singing of tho National Authem.