SOCIAL AT ELTHAM.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14326, 11 April 1912, Page 3

SOCIAL AT ELTHAM.

(ABRIDGED l'P.r.S3 ASSOCIATION RUI'OST.) ELTHAM, Auril 10.

A complimentary social was tendered to the" Prime .Minister a lie Hon. T. Mackenzie) at The Town 11a 11 to-night, on the occasion of his first visit to the district s-jice his elevation to the Premiership. Air Mickoiizic. who was accompanied by his daughter and the Hon. G- W. Russell. Minister of Internal Affairs, arrived from Manaia. and the Ministers were accorded a civic reception by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr T. IJ. Crump). Subsequently "at a social. Mr J. McA'eagh, chairman of the Reception Cominiace, presided, and there was an attendance of ahout 40u people, a large proportion of whom were ladies. .Vmongst. those present in addition to the Ministers were Dr. Fitehect. Public Trustee. Dr. Valintine, Inspector-Gene-ral of Hospitals, and representative residents. On a telegram being read from Sir Joseph Ward e_prcr*siug regret.at his inability to be present, tho gathering gave three hearty cheers. In responding to the toast of Parliament, the Hon. G. W. Russell said it was a great tribute to the high qualities and pr.ncipks of Air Mackenzie in tho great unsought digirty that had been placed upon him by ' tho party. j 'liiere was no self-see king, no canvassing, but it was comparatively the unanimous op-nion that there was only one man who could fill the b |>, «iuf that was the member for this district. He said t-i the people of Egniont that the Prime -Alinister had the confidence of all of his colleagues. Bis prudence, sagacity, experience, and tact, were the very things required at a time when much might be wanted to overcome the difficulties of the situation. He could tell them a little, story. When the last important division was about to be taken, there had been arranged in AVellington a great demonstration in which »ll t--- resources of culinary "art wero upon, to celebrate the defeat of .tie Government, and when tho division was taken, the promoters had to consider what to do with the ''tucker." As to the policy of the Government, it would be stated by the Prime Minister I in duo course.

The Chairman, proposed the toast of the guest of the evening. The Hon. T. Mackenzie wa.s greeted with prolonged cheering on rising to respond. Referring to the cheers given for Sir Joseph AVard. he said their opponents had succeeded in driving Sir Joseph from the councils of the country for a time, and now he was gone they said there was no one fit to take his place. If so, why concentrate on him sectarian intolerance and abuse? Why say he pocketed -100,000 of loan money r Sir Joseph Ward's name stood high and honoured, and though pigmies wished to discredit his ideal of an Imperial Council, that ideal, though perhaps advocated before its day. would become an accomplished fact. The time would yet come when the country would once more call in Ins assistance in its affairs. He (Mr Mackenzie) had accepted the responsibility of stepping into tho breach, aiid they would hold the breach; the greater the breach the greater tho honour. Ho challenged Mr Massey to put the face value of his services to the country against his (Mr Mackenzie's).