THE NATIONAL SPIRIT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 335, 23 October 1908, Page 8

THE NATIONAL SPIRIT.

NEW ZEALAND NATIVES' ASSOCIATION. INAUGURAL DINNER. The inaugural dinner of tho Now Zealand Natives' Association, which was hclcl in the Hotel Bristol, Cuba Street, last night, was only moderately well attended. Tho chair was taken by the president (Dr. F. W. Mackenzie). Apologies for absence wcro received from Sir Joseph Ward and other members of tho Ministry, the Chief Justico (Sir Robert Stout), tho Leader of tho Opposition (Mr. W. F. Massey), the Mayor of Wellington (Hon. T. W. Hislop), Mr. Tlios. Mackenzie, of ■Wellington (tho first man who landed on tho Potono beach with tho early settlers), and other gentlemen.i • Mr. G. Loudon, in proposing tho toast of Parliament, said that tho association should watch the doings of members of Parliament. The Hon. C. 11. Mills, in responding, referred to the patriotic spirit which tho association was intended to encourage. He was sure that, if tho country was threatened with invasion, its men would respond with alacrity to tho call to arms. Mr. W. H. P. Barber, M.P., also responded. Drawing'upon his recollect ions as a native-born Wellingtonian, ho spoko of the timo when land was offered at £5 a foot and people were advised not to buy it, because the price was expected to fall. He thought tho association should have a great future, and should enrol a very large membership. OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION. Mr. T. A. Poterkin (Mayor of Lower Hutt) proposed "The New Zealand Natives Association." The president said that when he began to talk of forming the association, he encountered many discouraging remarks, but one who urged him to take the matter up was the late Mr. 11. D. Crawford, who spoke feelingly of the need for something that would revive the spirit of the men of an earlier day, and teach tho young men to interest themselves in something bettor than barracking at football matches. Tho success that had attended his efforts so far had been greater than he anticipated, and he believed tho association would becomo a great power in the country. Although lie

believed that existing national divisions would not always lie maintained, it was necessary at present to foster a national spirit. The association would emphasise the importance of defence, in which Now Zealanders should ■ assume their proper responsibilities. It would also interest itself in the population question,- believing /that it was the duty of healthy and vigorous men to do their part in carrying on the race. They also wanted to see the country much more efficiently governed than at present. Means of communication in remote districts needed to bo greatly improved, as the Prime Minister realised during his motor-car trip in the King Country. The present system of representation should be replaced by something better. It was a compromise between the old monarchial rule and a broader, more facilesystem, which ought to come in tho future. The association - would, however, have nothing to do with party politics.. It would also eschew religious discussions, but mutual assistance would be one of its features, and it would be guided by the precept:—"Do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you." (Applauso.) Other toasts wore:—"The Army and Navy" (Mr. Tanner-rCaptain Arthur Hume), "Pioneers" (Mr. Myers—Mr. 11. P. Collins), "Tho Ladies," "Tho Press," and "Mine Host."