THE PREMIER.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 148, 23 June 1904, Page 2

THE PREMIER.

81ßl HDAV CELKBKATIONS. Tho political and personal friends of the Piemier celebrated his 59th birthday by a cupper in his honour ;it thp Sydneystreet Schoolroom last night. There was an attendance of ncaily 300, including all ein.shcs of the community, from various pmls of the colony, nnd the proceedings throughout weio of a most enthusiastic character. The chair wns occupied by the H6n. T. K. Mncdonald, M.L.C. who had on his right tho guest of the evening, while thoae sitting at tho hend table wero Sir James Prendergnst, Mr. Justice Edwards, Major-General Babiugton, Sir Ja&vph Ward, Hon». A. Pitt, T. Y. Duncan, J. Al'Uowan, J. Ciuioll, C. H. Mills., J. Rigg, Captain Kidloy, Dr. Morice, Mcxms. A. C. Whitney, F. Dyer, H. Beauchamp, E. Arnold, and A. A. L'oiugan. The toast of "Tho King" having been duly honoured, the Chairman proposed "His Excelioncy the Uovemor," which was drunk wuh enthusiasm, followed by tho singing of '"He's a Jolly Good i<'eliow." In proposing "The Imperial Forces," Mr. it. iteauclinmp said he wa«» delighted to see tho way the Defence Minister was encouraging tho caUet movement — (nppiause) — and he thought that when tlio boys left school they should como under bomo modified form of conscription, so chat they might bo taught to ride and slioot straight. Major-General Babington, who replied, said he could vouch for the claim that tho .sohtiers of tho colonies had to be included in the toast of tdic. Imperial loud forces, and none more so than (he toldicis of incw Zealand. The fotces of New Zealand weie within, only 14 of 19,000, which fapoko volumes for tho volunteer spirit in tho colony. (Applause.) lie had strongly advocated tlio development by ovory means of tho cadet movement ; men trained as cadets could not but bo oi the- greatest advantage to tho Empire. In Groat Britain tho bogey of conscription, which he did not hko, had assumed tangiblo proportions, and tho best wiiy' to avoid that was to train every Englishspeaking boy as a cadet. Unpreparedileus for war absolutely ensured disa&ber, a&d sO far as we could wo should become prepared. (Applause.) The Chairman, in proposing the toast of the Premier, said they had met to do ( honour to tho foremost, man in Npw 1 Zealand. (Applause.) His devotion to , public duty had made him all too unmindful of his health, and nnturo hnd iebelled. A heavy fear fell upon all clashes that the warning had been too long neglected. However, rest and care, and the medical skill of Dr. Valihtine and Dr. Collins had brought him back to health, und when thoy heard him spcuk 011 Monj day thero was a heartfelt feeling of thankI iulness that he had como bnck fully ichtoved. He hoped tho Premier would not 1 tuko liberties with himself, Hnd would 1 do nothing which would militnto ngnintt his health in future. Tho Chairman went on to spc.ik of tho Premier's career, which he »aid would in future be of sui passing interest to tho boys of New Zealand. , (Applause.) Dealing with nm term of I nfhee as Minister, and during tho last 1 eleven years as Premier, the Chnirninn icmarkoil that tho blue books of that period were full of the story of his foicsieht. Had his advice been followed, tho hia- ', tory oU.the South Pacific would now havo been different; he was tho fiwt of the Premiers of the colonies to see tho effect of (he Boers' victoriss upon our enemies, nnd whon tho shadow appeared to be the darkest there ".vivs ."-ent tin* nirssagc "New Zealand, will assist with men and horses ; thousands will como if you I need them." Tho effect of Uint wm. the birth of a new spirit, ami Britons nil tho world over realised what the crimson, tie of kinship meant. (Applawc.) Tho man who lit the spark wns Richard John SotUlon, Premier of New Zealand. (Cheers.) Looking those facts— -him 1 services to tho Empire, hi« comma ndinc talents for Administration — ho ventured to suggest that 0)0 time hnd como for them to consider whether there Avasnot a wider arena foT a man »of such a gnwp of public affiairs, and of such' distinguished ability. Ho .hoped the day was not fnr distrait when Britnin would yecogniec the ability of iho mnn whoso distinguishing characteristic wns his love for hw Sovereign, his country, and his friends. (Loud npplatiac.) Tho toast was drunk with great heartiness, nnd with musical honours. The Piemier, on rising to respond, waa prceted with round after round of np» •plnuse. During a speech lusting thirtyfire minutes be exprefcsed his great pride at the reception accorded him, ana remnrked that among thoso present wore ! pcoplo from the North Capo to the Bluff, including many who differed from him politically, and who by Ihejr piesencc showed that they were ploaf>ed at his* restoration to health. (Applause.) It hud fallen to the lot of very fow men to be honoured as they had honoured himon this occasion, and he felt that ho scarcely deserved 'the kind things said of him. He might tell them that tonighT was merely a preliminary, a teat, ! nnd from what occurred that ovening fchoy would bo able to judge whether ho would be fit- to meet Parliament. (Applause.) Mr. Seddon went on to speak of the mauy kind messages of sympathy ho hnd received, not only from his friends, but from (hose who wore politically opposed to him, and remarked that tho good wishes, tho^kindness, tho respect, and esteem that had been evinced towards him would further inspire him, so long ns he was ablo, to use every effort to preserve both tho personal and tho political good wishes of tho people of New Zealand. (AppltiUFe.) No man was perfect, and mistakes might havo been made, but if so thoy hnd boon mistakes more of tho heart thn'n the head. He had received a mwfrom the. K-ing (through the Governor) expressing hl«. earnest hopo that he might soon bo restored to health. Loving frioncl«, 'supporters, and opponents, public bodies, all sorts of people from tho highest to tbe lowest had cent him communications which hnd been cheering in tho extreme, and- ho had seen more of the brighter side of human naturo in our colony during tho last few months thnn ho hnd experienced during tho many years ho hnd bsen in the colony.' (Applause.) He expressed regret nt the nVenco through illness* of Dr. findlay and Dr. Collins, and paid a high compliment to the care and attention no had received from Dr. Collins and Dr. Valintino during his illness. It would bo out of plnco to mnko reference to any political or controversial matters on such nn occasion, but ho knew that it waa consonant with tho wishes of tho people that something more should be dono thnn had boon done towards preserving the infant, life of our colony. In