MINISTERIAL

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14327, 12 April 1912, Page 9

MINISTERIAL

BANQUET TO THE HON. J. COLVIN.

( N>r:f:sN association telegram. > | OREVAIOUTH. April 11. I The Hon. James Colvin. Alinister of j Alines, was entertained at a banquet j this evening in honour of his first ! official visit to the West Coast. The I gathering was a very euthiitiastic one. j and was attended by leading citizens of thc town am] district. Thc .Minister j was heartily congratulated on his np- . poiutment. the opinion being freely ex- | pressed that the .selection of Air Colvin ja* .Minister of Alines was a very wise , and happy one. j The Hon. Air Colvin. in pe. S |>onding j Jo the toast of his health, thanked the ■ large gathering for the very cordial reception accorded him. It had been said that the present Cabinet, was a ! "stop gap." but that wa.s not so. The | present Cabinet would remain in office j and do good work". The Opposition . Press bad attacked one of the best i men in the Dominion in the person of j Sir Joseph Ward. Sir Joseph was the j ablest man in the Dominion, nnd he : expressed the opinion that before j twelve months had passed he would again be. at the head of affairs. The j peoplo of the Dominion wanted Sir j .Joseph. Ho was- a man of exceptional I I alnlitv and had a kind heart. He (.Mr I Colvin) strongly objected to the I calumny heaped on Sir Joseph Ward |by the Opposition Press. Sir Joseph. Ihe added, never inn alter the Labour I members, although .Mr Massev would i give anything to he in nower even for I five minutes. His chief had told him not to touch on the party's policy, but he could say that when tli.it policy was decided on. it would be found to' be a found and good one. Hie Hon. T. Alackenzie wa.s very |>op(ilai with the farming community, and wi.uld convert many when bo went among them. He th.-niV'-i his ( .!,i ',Vest Coast ttiends for the ,sjiM-,idid reception. Chee'- upon cheer was _,'yen for the Minster. Air Colvin leaves in the morning for Kumar!, to open the Tcremakau waterworks.