BANQUET TO THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7270, 19 October 1891, Page 3

BANQUET TO THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

The following, in continuation of our telegraphic report appearing on Saturday, is from the D lily Times : The Hon. S. E. Shnmski said that in a Parliament where tho party lines between Liberal and Conservative « ere sharply deßned some collisions \rero bound to occur. Hia honorable friend no doubt thought that the Legislative Council had treated him very badly, and ho felt very much hurt, but he need not do so, fer the same fate had been the lot of others before him. When another Ministry was in power they had had their measures rejected by the same Legislative Council. There was too often i waste of time before policy Bills were introduced, if his honorable friend's Bill had reached the Council about the middle of the session, probably some compromise would have been arrived at. As it was it had not reached the Council in time. However, there was always one thing to bo depended on, that if a measure was really the wish of the people if it did not pass one session it would the next. Mr D. Pinkorton said that the Parliament of a country was only what the people made it. (Applause,) The first thing towards intelligent representation of the peoplo was an intelligent com munity to elect them. What was wanted was the settlement of the country, and then wo would be able to support a population of six millions instead of what we now had. Such legislation as would encourage the cultivation of the soil should be the aim of every person in New Zealand. Sir R. Stoat, who was very warmly received, proposed " Local Bodies and County Councils." It was, ho said, the first dinner he had attended ab which ladies had been addressed. It would seem as if the politicians present recognised that the female franchise was within measurable distance. How could we have an "efficient system of Govern« raent?" Only by casting upon local bodies the thousand and one little things now undertaken by the General Government, leaving them to lay down lints of great policy, and not to be bothered by small matters. As for driving money out of the colony, thero was one way in which they could stop a million a year from going away* He had not yet told the Treasurer how to do it, but would do so now. It could be done without injuring a single person in the colony. It was this : Stop drinking and smoking. (Laughter and applause). He had always advocated this. We ought to have reserves of land that would become permanent endowments in order to lighten the rates, and the only way to do this was to have a great quantity of land let on perpetual lease. He justified Mr M'Kenzie for the stand he had taken on the Land Bill, and would not readily forget the treatment that gentleman had met with, especially in the notes in the Otago Witness. What were they. (A voice :|}|" Lica.") First his {birth waa derided. They must, of course, conclude that the editor and the staff of the Daily Times had all descended from King Henry. He (Sir Robert Stout) would like to see the ancestry of these men* And not content with that they had the meanness and lownoss to not only insult Mr M'Kenzie in this way, but carry insult to his family. He would not forget that, and he would ask the meeting not to forget it. (Applause.) He looked on the meeting that night as a complete answer to the unfair misrepresentation Mr M'Kenaie had met with. When Mr M'Kenzie met his critics and made such a damaging reply to their statements what did these people say? That someone must have written his speech. That showed their helpless idiocy, and their inability to criticise, because they did not know the man they were criticising. Those present had to remember that if they wished to have tho country not ruled by a small ring of capitalists, who controlled three-fourths of the newspapers, they would continue to honor true manliness and worth, as they were doing that night, and not allow the opinions ho had spoken of to influence them, — (Loud and prolonged applause.) The toast of " The Pastoral and Agricultural Interests " was proposed by Mr James Arkle, and responded to by Messrs J. Duncan, A. MuAoch, J. Gemmell, and T. Duncan, M.H.R. The last named speaker (the member for Oamaru) expressed his pleasure at seeing so largo a turn-out to do honor to his colleague. It strengthened a member wonderfully to know that ho was backed up by his constituents ; and so long as he was he need not care for all the annoyances caused by writings in such papers as the Daily Times and the Evening Star. Mr .7. M'Grogor briefly proposed "Commercial Interests." Mr A. Lee Smith, in responding, said at the time of the last election Sir It. Stout and others preferred Mr Fish to him— (laughter)— and he was cast out, being supposed to be one of those criminals who owned L5OO, But he was not, because of that going to turn renegade and go back on his princi* pies. He had at all his meetings made tho land question hia principal subject, and would continue to advocate, as he always had, the adoption of ft liberal policy in that and all other respects. Mr

Leo Smith spoke nt length, warmly supporting the present Government, and oulogising the guest of the ovoning, and advocating tho establishment of papers in nil tho great contr«s to do justice to tho Liberal party. There was loud applauso us the speukor resumed hia seat. Tho other toaatn wore: <c Tho Ladies" (pioposed by Mr Stilling), "Tho Press" (by Mr J. G, Findlay, and responded to by Mr G. Jones), "The Chairman and vice-Chairman," and "The Host and Hostess." The proceedings terminated at 1.45 with tho singing of " Auld Ling Syno,"