SIR JOHN HALL’S VISIT HOME.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11231, 31 March 1897, Page 5

SIR JOHN HALL’S VISIT HOME.

■ Oub hearty wishes for a pleasant Voyage and safe return are added to those which have been showered upon the veteran statesman, Sir John Hall, on the occasion of his departure for England. Eather a discordant note in the valedictory harmony, was sounded by Mr Eeece in his address yesterday on behalf of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, when he reimarked that “it was not always safe to say that one was a New Zealander,” implying that some stigma {attached to the country or its people. "We are sure Sir John is far too staunch a lover of the colony to he ashamed of his connection with St, and he is not at all likely to act Upon Mr Eeece’s hint to deny his icountry when in England. In fact, be pointedly rebuked the levity of Mr tEeeae when he said that he would be proud to acknowledge at Home his association with agricultural and paspastoral interests in New Zealand. Sir John has of late years developed a breadth, progressiveness and tolerance of view that stamp him as superior to the petty considerations of party triumph. This was shown yesterday in his remark that parliamentary action was destined to have an increasing influence upon various industries, and that it was desirable to have a national agricultural organisation to represent that interest before Parliament. This is a great advance on the attitude of those who decry all State “ interference” and only pray to be lefc alone. The most pregnant remark made by Sir John Hall was, however, .that in which he advised politicians to draw a lesson from the 'working of the Association that was bidding him good-bye. That Association has, as he pointed out, the, equivalents of non-party government, elective executive and the referendum, and its general management being, admittedly good, the same results may be anticipated from the application of these principles to the Legislature and Executive of the country. It is gratifying to find Sir John Hall giving the weight of his experience to measures which are approved by nearly all the Liberal organisations in the colony. We hope , that the politicians, as well as the agriculturists, will act on the advice tendered them by one who has had a long and successful career in both capacities.