BANQUET TO HON. J.BRYCE.

Clutha Leader, Volume VIII, Issue 428, 23 December 1881, Page 6

BANQUET TO HON. J.BRYCE.

The banquet to the Hon. .T. Bryoe took place at the Princess Theatre, Wanganni, on Friday evening, some 150 guests being present. The chair was occupied by Mr Robt. Pharazyn, and the vice-chairs by Mr F. R. Jackson, Col. Gorton, and Mr John Morgan.

After the usual loyal toasts had boen disposed of

The Chairman proposed the toast of t.he evening, " The Hon. John Bryco," referring to his services in the Ministry, particularly in connection with thu Parihaka affair.

Mr Bryce, who was greeted with, prolonged applause, said ho thought their presence that evening was due to what took place at Parihaka. His former colleagues had realised that hia policy was the only possible one, and had asked him to rojoin them and fill up tho vacant portfolio. Alluding to the cause of the tronblo on the coas 1 ;, he quoted Bucklo as to the effect of scenery upon character, and said he believed the scenery on the coast was the groat cause of religious frenzy. He instanced Te Huia, author of Hauhauism ; Moiu, the author of another suporstition ; and so ve ml others together with Te Whiti, all living under the shadow of Monti t Egvnont. To Whiti's frenzy was difiicult to describe. It was much moru potent over | His folio we.vs tlvu\ t\v,A,t of i\Y>y previous Native. Hg ridiculed tho statement to the c.fleet that To Whiti wished to take his grievances into a court of Jaw. Such an idea never entered his head. If.mentioned hi- treated it with scorn. To Whiti believed, and taught his followers to believe, that he was destined to the sovnreignity of the whole Island, if not of the whole world. Havinur a frenzy of tliis^kind to deal with, it would bo recognilgea that the danger was extreme. They the mercy of a mad man. Although, the work hid been carried out wjth'great firmness, no harshness and no .insult had been oil'ered to the Natives. He believed they could have met tho Natives with less force, but it would havo been committing a great blunder to invito bloodshed, therefore he had decided to augment the force by Volunteers. Had one shot boon fired, though by accident, there was no telling where bloodshed would have stopped. Men were wise after the event, and doubtless had said they knew there would be no war. He never knew that, and was sure there had been the utmost danger of it. Referring to the Volunteers, Mr Bryco said he thought their response to the call of duty had a very large significance. It was New Zealand's misfoi'tuno to bo colonised from many centres, which might havo resulted ii\ the lum-development of a national spirit. The gallant response of some 4000 or 5000 Volunteers proved that there was no lack of real national spirit in this Colony, . which would increasingly develop. While speaking on this point he would repeat what he had said in commendation of them at Parihaka. Upon another subject lie might be expected to say sometViing. Ho alluded to the stoppage of Press reporters at Parihaka. He had seen telegrams by Press correspondents praising him for excluding the public while he admitted Press specials ; but he, felt it his duty in include the latter lest an accident might, happen to. occasion an overt act on the part of the Natives and..occasion war. It had been said he wished to keep his proceedings. secret. -He thought the charge absurd, when it was remembered ho was surrounded by several thousand Volunteers and 2000 Natives'. He might mention an instance showing that his opinion of the risk of admitting specials was not unfounded. He had become aware thnt one of these specials, at a boarding-house frequented by them, had declared "it would.be a good thing if Bryce was shot through' the head." Had this taken place it would have meant the, death of the ..whole. of the Natives assembled there. He would have been the meanest of men had the thought of criticism prevented his acting as he.concientiously believed was right. He again thanked them for the great honour .which they had heaped upon him.

Mr. Bryce resumed his sea-t.-.aiaa.\."dat deafening applause, which had frequently interrupted his speech.