The Banquet.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 179, 5 August 1909, Page 2

The Banquet.

In the evening the Minister and party were entertained at a banquet in Mr H. E. Kerr's boardinghouse, the function being under the auspices of the local Chamber of Commerce. Guests to the number of about sixty sat down to the festive board, at which Mr J. Boddie, President of the Chamber of Commerce, presided. After the toast of "The King" had been duly honoured, Mr Sharpies proposed the toast of the "Army and Navy and Reserve Forces." In a graceful speech Mr Sharpies welcomed the guest in his dual capacity, as Native Minister and Acting-Premier, and also referred to the mission of the Prime Minister to England. The speaker urged the settling of the land question. Defence with nothing to defend was an absurdity. Major Lusk in reply, adovcated the institution of universal compulsory service, and trusted that in time of need a fine contingent of young men would be drawn from our district. The Chairman, in proposing the ! ' Guest of the Evening" extended a most hearty welcome to the ActingPremier, both personally and in his Ministerial capacity. Te Kuiti of recent years had become famous. DurI ing the past twelve months the residents bad entertained no less than four Ministers, but the present occasion was of greater importance than any of the others.. The Guest was occupying a dual position as Acting-Premier and Native Minister, and apart from the former position, his presence as Minister for Native Affairs, was one of the most important events that ; could occur in this particular district. The speaker said he considered a Minister could only discharge his manifold duties satisfactorily by making himself acquainted with the local requirements. Within the last day or two Mr Carroll had met representatievs of the Native race at Otorohanga and the speaker took the opportunity of expressing his confidence that Mr Carroll was not only able, but willing to satisfacorily deal with the important questions connected with Native affairs, which would be up for settlement in the immediate future. He hoped that during next session the Government would take part in a greater movement in this direction than had been presented before. Mr Boddie, in referring to the district, said he had the greatest confidence in its prospects. This was widely shared by the residents as was indicated by the manner in which they were improving their properties both in town and country. As to the Native Department he did not think that progress was impossible in the Department, and he trusted events in the near future would justify such an opinion. Mr Carroll, in reply, said he could claim more than a passing interest in Te Kuiti, as being the person responsible for its existence. He contrasted the present state of the town with the position five or dx years ago. and said he felt impressed with the marvellous progress displayed. There was o.e doubt as to the future importance of both town and district, and if anything could be done by him towards promoting the true interests of the residents he would not be found wanting. As Native Minister he was responsible for the settlement of the Native lands of the Dominion and his efforts were directed towards bringing about such settlement on true and just lines. He had been blamed in many respects for the tardy settlement of the question, but he could assure them he had not wantonly played with the matter. The intricacies of the Native affairs had puzzled the greatest minds that had existed in New Zealand, and if he had to shoulder all the blame and condemnation for the non-settlement of | the question, he would have a tremeni dous load to carry. He was glad to : assure them the Natives were just as pn\K La n o e n ai l A. r r f I II \ J e tf e t~ e h c i c lie it : ] ta \ 1 c i r woid hi 'j r lo a l i I \a t C tr "' ion c K I (- (. r cC Ii lu Ci tl i ncu •'p^i ed to be that the Native lands should bear the same responsibilities as land owned by Europeans. Every inch i

should be made use of. and subjected to cultivation. He intended to intrcHe would also introduce s Native Land ! Rating Bill, by which lands contiguous to the townships would be rateable : lands. Beyond that -;ke area which , should be productive would also be rated. The only exemption would be lands that it was impossible to bring into profitable occupation. He also intended to amend or extend the operations of the Advances to Setters' Act, so that it would also apply to Maoris. The same privileges should be given to the Maori as to the European. Ee should be put on the same footing as his Pakeha neighbour, and encouraged to vie with him or exceed him. Ee did not intend to falter. It was a du'y he owed to the people and the c untry, , and as long as ho- could carry cut his ! soul's desire, he felt sure the result would be compatible with :he:r wishes. Major Lusk, in proposing the roast of "Parliament," referred enlcgistically to the member for the district. With reference to the Native ctesticn Mr Carroll had given them considerable information and enlarged their \ views on the subject. It was desirable ' to go further towards bringing both races into line, and he trusted Parlia- ' ment would curing the coming session do more than had yot been attempted. ' As a first step they should wipe the ' slate clean of all existing Native iegis- ! laticn. In this district the Maoris he had met were capable of Icobir.g after their own affairs, and the sooner they ' were given s chan.e the oe v l>r for all concerned. [ ■ Mr Jennings and Dr Buck reMded on behalf of Pari'lament. ' | Other toasts proposed were "Comi mercial and Pastoral Interests,'" by * ! Mr Hine. and responded to cy Mr Som--5 ! Perene Eketcne. Heuheu and E. T. ; Faiwasser : "The Ladies'' by Dr Zobei, | Chairman, responded te by Mr Jen--1 ' Carroll. F Btmd. and Qulci:.