A CIVIC WELCOME

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1464, 12 June 1912, Page 6

A CIVIC WELCOME

THE RIGHT HON. JAMES BRYCE. SOME IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND. A Civic reception was tendered yesterday to tho Right Hon. James liryce in the Mayor's room in the Towu Hall building. Amongst the ninny present wcro: The Ilou. "Sir Joseph Ward, and several ex-Mayors of (ho city. Tho Mayor of Wellington (Mr. D. M'J.areu) expressed his pleasure in presiding over a gathering tlio object of which was to do honour to the gentleman who had done such great work as ambassador for the Jiritisli people to America. His work in his diplomatic capacity had been admired by nil British people. All must realise tho value of the ndvice Mi. Bryco had given to iS T ew Zealand. They ktifeiv that tlio vacant spaces in our country must be tilled, if our country was somo day to become great. In this the Mother Country could help materially, and he believed that Mr. Bryce's visit might do some little good towards this ent\. Mr. J. G. "W. Aitken, speaking as one of the ex-Mayors, said if Mr. liryce could help to influence immigration of tlio right class of people to this country, this country would have cause to be deeply grateiul. The Hon. T. W. Hislop referred in complimentary language to Mr. liryce's writings of democracy as it exists in other lands. He hoped that Mr. Bryce's visit would lead to a. closer study of those writings, and he was sure that that study would do good to this country. He heartily joined in the welcome to such a distinguished, learned, and honoured man. Mr. J. R. Blair hoped Mr. Bryce would bo ablo to say something good about New Zealand" when he returned to England. Here we had been ablo to eliminato some of tho social prejudices, and barriers, and the welfare of the people was the first concern of the Legislature. Ho added that he was pleased to share in welcoming Mr. Bryce, and hoped he might assist in sending along to us tho right kind of immigrants. Mr. John Duthie heartily joined in welcoming "a statesman and a writer, who was in the very front ■■auk." Mr. Bryce's writings had been of the greatest help to those who wished to study tho American constitution. 'There had been new departures in New Zealand in social legislation. Possibty it might prove nf benefit, but at least [\e hoped it might be worth the attention of such a distinguished man as their visitor. Should Mr. Bryce express any views on the subject they would certainly be read with interest. ■ Mr A. de B. Brandon, the Hon. C. M. Luke, and Mr. John Smith also spoke words of welcome.

. Sir Joseph-Ward said that from his own personal observations in Canada he knew that Mr. Bryce was regarded as a. great statesman, and a man who had done good in the fostering (if friendly .relations between Britain and the United States. He hoped that Mr. Bryce might bo able to write about his visit, and ho hoped that the visit would be pleasant to their visitor, and profitable to this country. Mr. Bryce was greeted with cordial applause wlien he rose to speak. He thanked the speakers for their very cordial welcome, and on the other hand he said he was very glad to be able to mako a pilgrimage to New Zealand. In America his endeavour had always been to smooth over tho chief causes of friction, and he was glad to say that after six years not oiio of .' them remained. 'It would not be fitting on his part, he said, after a stay ■of only nine days in New Zealand to offer any opinion as to the o6onomic, social, and political problems occupying the attention of tho people of New Zealand. He had travelled enough to know the danger cf hasty generalisations. He hoped to "earn all he could, but whether he would l>o bold enough to write of his impressions he could not say. At any rate ho would he glad to tell what he learned la the Home Government, and to his friends in England. He had been immensely satisfied to notice in New Zealand that there was upr'ght and honest administration of local affairs by the local authorities. Only where there was wise, honest, and efficient conduct of local affairs could wide powers be entrusted.

He congratulated New Zealand on tho possession of fine harbours and beautiful scenery. He urged the importance of municipalities making thoir cities as beautiful as possible, especially by reserving open spaces, parks, and playgrounds. He was glad to notico that tho people of New Zealand had realised this. He enlarged upon the evils following upon too extensive deforestation, and 'commended a comprehensive policy of treeplanting to provido timber for future years.

He had been especially glad to note that in New Zealand there was friendly feeling between the white and Native races, nnd that the Maori relics and customs had been, preserved. He congratulated the country on tho fact that our immigration was rising steadily—not in sudden rushes—from the British Isles. Ho thought it would be better for the United States if the population of that territory had arrived more steadily and slowly. A nation must be judged on the way an average citizen discharged his duties, and a democracy could not exist where there was not a constant and honest discharge of public duty. There had been among New Zealand's first settlers men of sterling character, men of high standing and learning-. This had been of the greatest value to the country. Ho added that New Zealand's experiments were being earnestly Watched. At Home people sympathise with their aims, and they heped that New Zealand would become a great, prosperous, and happy nation. (Applause.)