AN AGRICULTURIST HONOURED

Evening Post, Volume 148, Issue 148, 20 December 1923, Page 19

AN AGRICULTURIST HONOURED

TRIBUTES TO SIR W, BUCHANAN

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ACTIVITIES EULOGISED. • I

As a mark of their appreciation of services rendered to the society since its incorporation in 1377,' the members of the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society tendered to Sir Walter Buchanan, M.L.0., at Carterton last evening, a smoke concert, which was attended by a representative gathering of the agricultural, pastoral, and commercial community. The president, Mr. J. G. Oates, occupied the chair. Speaking to the toast of "Parliament," which was proposed by Mr. T. O. Haycock, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labour, Mines, and Marine said that no one in Parliament was' more respected than Sir Walter Buchanan, and he felt sure the Prime Minister and other members of Cabinet would like to be present that evening. He went on to refer to the political situation in England and in New Zealand. Was it not time for the three parties which were strving for office in each country to coma together and stop their bickering? It was bad for the country' and for the Empire when the Mother of Parliaments was up against it. Notwithstanding the troublous times Mr. Massey had had to face. New Zealand was\as good a country to live in as there was fn the world. Ihe present Parliament had done all that was humanly possible. A great deal had been dons in repatriation of soldiers who took part in the war and never before had a country spent a third of what a war had cost in so doing The excess of imports over exports during the period from April to November last would have to be righted. He concluded by expressing the hope that Sir Walter would live lonjz to enjoy the evening of a well-spent life. . ■'M j '/•■ D-- Leod. M.P., also responded, urging that the electors should take their responsibilities more seriously for an unthinking public meant an unthinking Parliament, "THE. GUEST."' The toast of "The Guest" was proposed by Mr J. G. Oates, who said it was a bright day for the Wairarapa when Sir Walter Buchanan took up his residence there. No man had done more for agriculture in the Dominion than their guest. ,■ When' depression came 'he started the freezing industry in order that the country might become prosper- ■ pus by disposing of its products Supporting the toast, the Hon. Mr Anderson referred to Sir Walter's activities both as an agriculturist and as a politician since he. arrived in the Dominion nearly 60 years ago. He was admired and respected by every man in the Jiouse, and he was also respected for his private and public benefactions, which included the Buchanan Home and the Chair of Agriculture. He wished him every conceivable blessing Professor Boyd-Wilson spo°k'e of the value of Sir Walter's bequest to the University and' to agricultural education and expressed the hope that he would live long to see the fruits of his munificence. Mr W. Perry, President of the Council of Agriculture, said that Sir Walter's great work in the cause of education would always stand as a monument to his memory. The Chair of Agriculture would benefit the whole country. On behalf-of every resident of the Wairarapa lw wished him long life and happiness. ' . c Other' high tributes to the guest were paid by Mr. D. M'Gregbr, who spoke on behalf of the Mastorton A. and P Association, Mr. D. H. S. Biddiford (Wellington Meat Export Co.) Mr T Moss (Wellington Education Board) Mr W. P. Roydhouse (Wairarapa), and Mr.' A. D. M'Leod, M.P. ' A handsome illuminated address was then presented to Sir Walter conveying to him the appreciation of the society of his past 'services and acknowledging his advice and munificence. SIB WALTER'S REPLY. .. .'. Sir .Walter'rose amidst prolonged applause' and musical- honours,- and in his opening remarks feelingly thanked those present for their expressions towards him. He recalled the circumstances of ■his first visit to the Wairarapa "to buy cattle, and, alluding to the Wairarapa P. and A. Society, said'that considering the small area from which it drew stock no society had shown better work. The output had increased from £1 300 000 in 1902 to over £19,000,000 in 192 l! The network of roa;ds that existed to-day were testimony enough to the industry of the people- of the district. Of 43 million pounds' worth of exports sent out of the country in 1921, the pastoral industry claimed 40 millions. This showed the part the people on the land were playing. Speaking of education Sir Walter said that the people on the land were not being: assisted as they should be. In 1886 the amount expended on education on a jpopulatibn of 617 000 was 14s per head. In 1922 this had increased to 54s 6d per head of population, yet Victoria College could hot show anything it was doing in the,way of tuition in scientific farming. The proceedings,, which were marked with . the greatest enthusiasm throughout, closed with hearty cheers for the guest of the evening.