THE DEPARTURE OF LORD ONSLOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8799, 12 February 1892, Page 5

THE DEPARTURE OF LORD ONSLOW.

LEAVETAKING AT CHRISTCHURCH. LUNCHEON AND PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION. [by TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Chiiistohuroh, Thursday. About 200 ladies and gentlemen attended the farewell luncheon to the Governor and Lady Onslow at the Tuam-sbreeb Hall today. Several visitors were in the gallery. The Mayor of Christchuroh presided. The Hon. J. O. Ward was present. The Governor's health was drunk with great enthusiasm. His Excellency, who was hearti'y received, said ho had to offer an apology. When first they offered the present invitation to him he never contemplated the possibility of breaking his engagements. He could assure them that he left nothing undone to combat the elements, but the elements had been too powerful for him. He had to thank them for the manner in which they had enabled him to say farewell to tho citizens of Christchurch. The inclusion of Lady Onslow in the invitation led him to sea the truth of what he had heard, that people here were not anxious to know what kind of a man their Governor was to be, but they were anxious to know what sort of woman his wife was to be. He could not help thinking that the Governor should be looked on not only as tho representative of tho Queen but the envoy of the British Parliament and the British people; that ho should be looked on as the interpreter of tho languages of people of both sections of the Empire. He could novor come to Christchurch without thinking that Canterbury had been founded by one of his father's oldest friends, John RobertGodley. We were disposed to undervalue the labours of the pioneers. What must have been tho feelings of the first persons who found themselves confronted with the swamps and barren plains, with tangled supplejacks, which bound together the giants of tho New Zealand forests. What was formerly uncultivated plains now supported a thriving community, who sent, home their meat and grain, took the products of tho old country and imposed on them an import duty, which pressed heavily on the people of the colony, but which provided tho AgentGeneral with the wherewithal to pay interest on the colonial debt. Ho would endeavour to promote closer union between England and the colonies, and though there were difficulties in tho way they were not insuperable, He considered that though the English Government had not made many failures, it had made one in it« action in regard to the granting by foreign States of bounties on colonial sugar. One of the most important successes of the present Imperial Government was the holding of the conference of ISS7 with regard to the reciprocity question. He would point out that the exports from England to foreign countries were two-thirds of tho whole, while those to the colonies were one-third. Imports to England from the colonies wero onefourth of the whole. It would have been advisable had more attention been paid to the proposal of Mr. Hotmayer, of South Africa, at tho Colonial Conference, for the imposing of differential duties. There was on tho part of the English people a disposition to make some sacrifice for the sake of the Empire at large, and if it were not that it was the duty of one party in the State to propose measures with that intention and the duty of the other party to oppose and criticise them he would have better hopes that something definite would be done in that direction. He thought that it was a matter for congratulation that there was at the head of affairs in England statesmen of such sagacity and with such enlightened views 011 colonial questions as the Marquis of Salisbury. No one who had nob been present at the Colonial Conference could have any idea of the good done by that Conference in removing misapprehension and bringing about a better understanding between Englishmen and colonials. Ho thought the question of the Auxiliary Squadron might form a very good excuse for calling another such Conference. A good deal had been said about the misrepresentation of these colonies, but after all what had been said applied as much to New Zealand a? to Australia. Mr. Fortescue had said nothing about New Zealand except that in common with other colonies, it had a largo debt and a very Democratic Parliament, two facts which ho thought no ono would deny. Mr. Christie Murray had said some unpleasant things about Australia, and the New Zealand press jumping to the conclusion that he included Now Zealand in Australia had attacked him very tiercely, but when he came to write of New Zealand he blessed it altogether. He (the Governor) had come to the conclusion that the misrepresentations of the colony wero among tho Antipodean? themselves. He received a large amount of correspondence from England, and could say that there was no uneasiness in tho minds of his correspondents concerning New Zealand. Now many people at home did not know the details of politics it; New Zealand, and they were apt to be influenced by letters sent homo by such persons as a man who was the holder of say 1U0,001) acres, and the director of a Land to Anybody Company, and who wrote home that there was a general scramble on tho part of the Have Nots for tho property of the Haves. Misrepresentation of that sort was worse than unpatriotic. He believed that there was 110 one in the colony who wishod to drive capital out of it. Capital was as necessary as currency, and no sensible person believed that it was possible to do without either. He believed that largo companies did not want to hold more land than they could profitably use. The tendency of legislation in the colony ho considered was in the direction of putting more of the public burdons 011 tho shoulders of those best able to bear them. The people of Now Zealand wished, he was sure, to do no more than to see that tho land of tho colony should bo utilised in the most profitable manner. Some of tho larger landowners had told him that tha new taxation would not bo felt so heavily now that improvements were exempted. He had full confidence in the future of tho colony, and when he was in England again ho would do what lay in his power to advance its interests, lie went on to say that the Maori language contained no words to express gratitude anil Farewell. Tho nearest approach to them were the expressions, "I go there; you stay here." It was hard to say farewell at any time, but much more after three happy years in New Zealand. He would always look out for news of Now Zealand, and would ever pray for its prosperity. lie believed that the people of New Zealand would bear Lady Onslow and himself in kindly remembrance. His Excellency expressed the regret of Lady Onslow and himself at parting from their friends in New Zealand, and his hope that he might prove to be a link in the chain which bound New Zealand to England, and which he hoped would never be snapped. Mr. Bonwinijton proposed the health of "His Excellency's advisors," coupled with tho name of Mr. J. G. Ward. Mr. Wakd thanked the committee for rearranging their programme so as to include the toast of His Excellency's advisers. He said that no Governor, unci certainly no Governor's wife, had made themselves so popular as Lord and Lady Onslow, and lie (Mr. Ward) shared in the general regret at their departure. Lord Onslow had remarked that ho might be permitted to make one reference to politics, and it would not do for him (Mr. Ward) to make another one. He would say, however, that he was ono of those who believed that gentlemen in tho position of Lord Onslow, and with his knowledge, should be at liberty before his departure to give the people of the colony the benefit of his experience in regard to political matters No one in tho colony regretted the departure of the Governor more thin did the Ministry with whom he had always worked most amicably, and to whom he had always been most courteous. The reason of His Excellency's popularity was that he had not shown favour to one class more than another, and had carried out his duties with ability and tact. Should Lord Onslow become a member of the Home Government or not they knew they would have in him a warm friend, and ono conversant with the colony's requirements. In conclusion, lie could only trust that Lord and Lady Onslow would havo a prosperous future. The " Health of Lady Onslow" was proposed by Mr. Charles LouisaON, and drunk with great enthusiasm,

Lord Onslow briefly responded. The Governor and Lady Onslow held a reception at the Provincial Council Chambers this afternoon. About 100 persons attended. The public demonstration in Latimer Square bo bid farewell to the Governor was a huge success. Seven thousand persons congregated, and the proceedings were marked with much enthusiasm. The Mayok, who presided, expressed the sincere regret felt by the citizens at His Excellency's approaching departure. Mr. G. W. Russell presonted an address on behalf of the people of the provincial district, and Mr. Doughs one from tho Knights of Labour. Lady Onslow was made the recipient of an album containing views of scenery in and about Christchurch. The Ladies Gwendoline and Dorothy were presented with handkerchief boxes made of New Zealand woods, a third being giren to the Countess for her latest born. The Hon. J. G. Ward, on behalf of tho Government, joined with the people of Canterbury in regret at the departure of the Governor. His Excellency, on rising to respond, was warmly received. He said no formal acknowledgment was commensurate with the manner in which Lady Onslow and himself had been received. They were never likely to forget the kindness and hospitality they had been receiving in Christchurch, and he had to heartily thank them for the most appropriate presents given the children. He felt that if tho progress of the colony for the last fifty years was a criterion of its progress in the future 110 man living could tell how great and glorious New Zealand would become in another hi.lf - century ; and when he looked round 011 the assemblage before him 110 could not help thinking that there was a largo representation of labour, and of the party at present predominant in the State. The majority of those present wero associated with tho advance party. Now, in political life ho was associated with the Opposite party, and the flattering reception he had received went to show that they approved of his actions, and gave him credit tor impartially holding the scales between both parties, and his last sentence to them would be his firm conviction that progress can only be assured by union between capital and labour, ono regarding the rights of tho other. He would suggest to those now in possession of power to exorcise it in the interest of the colony. He would ever hope and pray for its prosperity, and he would consider it a privilege to speak well of it in the old country. As His Excellency and Lady Onslow were driving away three ringing cheers were given. A large crowd was at the railwaystation to see the vice-regal party oil', and they were cheered heartily.