COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 320, 6 October 1908, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET

ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. SPEECHES BY HON. J. A. MILLAR AND OTHERS. About one hundred gentlemen sat down to a well-served repast at the Hotel Windsor last evening, at a complimentary banquet tendered to Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., and Mr. A. C. Pearce (ex-Mayor of Karori), iu recognition of the /valuable public services rendered by these gentlemen to the districts of Northland and Karori. The chair was occupied by Mr. Finlay M'Leod. Financial Stringency. The loyal toast being honoured, the chairman proposed tile toast of "Parliament." Ia ' doing so, he referred to the excellent work of. the Advances to Settlers Department, but remarked on the present financial stringency. ,Why, he asked, was there this shortago? Surely Parliament had not lost faith in the grand resources of the country, or the fertility of the soil and ability of the settlers to discharge their obligations. Why this limitation to £6,000,000 when we might have demands for £9,000,000? Spocch by the Hon. J. A. .Millar, In reply, the Hon. J. A. Millar paid a tribute to' what the Motherland had done for New Zealand, and we should never forgot this,, and whenever she required assistance—men or money—it would bo there. (Hear, hear.) Other nations had reckoned without the outlying portions of the Empire, but there were young growing nations in this part of the world, and it was being realised that Britain did not consist of isolated, islands. ■ The State, he continued, provided for children, and those stricken with age, but, in his opinion, the duty of the State' was to look,to the intermediate period when men or women became wealth-producers of the country, and to so arrange their policy that there 'would be work for all who liked to come here. We had no right to send for anything out of the country if we could possibly manufacture it.' (Applause.) Looking at the country as a young one, our first, duty was to ourselves, and not to sacrifice ourselves for others. The present Parliament was expiring—he did-not care how soon—for he-was sick of it, but they had done some • good in the past three years, and bo had no doubt, but that others would follow in the same lines. Regarding odvances to settlers, he said although a good deal was being borrowed," unlimited borrowing powers would result in absolute ruin, and have the effect of killing our industries. In future, it was hoped to borrow mere, but with the present population and revenue, we were just borrowing as much as: was safe, under the present conditions. . -The Ministry. In reply to the toast of "The Ministry," proposed by Mr. IV M'Parland, tho Hon! J. Carroll referred to • the continuance of the present Ministry, which was evidence of the will of the people. He mentioned that there were great questions, disturbing tho publio mind, such as had never been faced by previous Parliaments, but he. believed that < a satisfactory solution would be arrived at. He did not agree with the pessimistic statements of depression. , . ■ Tho Guests. In proposing the health l of "Our Guests," Mr. J.' W. Henderson referred to the excellent work done by those gentlemen. . In reply, Mr. Field referred to the great progress made by Karori in ..recent years. It was only to be expected when the district was cut in two, that lie would remain" with the greater part and with his interests, which were more of an agricultural nature. He, however, had made many staunch friends in Karori and Northland, and if :lie ever had' an opportunity of helping those places he would do it with pleasure. (Hear,. hear.) He was sorry lie had done so little fori the districts, but he had received so few requests,' and happy was' the member in such circumstances. (Hear,, hear.)He 'returned thanka for the way the toast: had been honoured. Mr. Pearce remarked: that what'- lie- had done was a pleasure on account of .those who wero around him; one of .whom 1 was Mr. Henderson. While, they wero trying to got money for the trams, Mr. Field gavea great deal of help. He regretted he was not able to come out for Parliament much as lie would have been pleased to do so.. -Then there were two excellent candidates in the field. Let the best man win. (Hear, hear.) Other Speeches. Replying to the toast of "Tho City Council and Karori Borough Council,"-proposed-by Mr. J. H. Reynolds, the Hon. T. W. Hislop 'spoke strongly against any interference with local bodies «by the central authority. The sinking funds were well and efficiently." let out by the commissioners, and ho hoped that this interference would not commend itself to the citizens of Wellington or any other place. (Hear, hear.) Mr. C. Dasent- referred to the separation of Northland and Karori. He paid, a tribute to the work done in connection with the' Karori Rifle Club by their guests, apart from their services'to-other sports bodies. (Hoar, hear.) ' • . During the evening musical items were con- ' tributed by Messrs. Harlnns, Deunie, U. J Smith, Wollerinan, and Meredith..