BANQUET TO THE HON. J. RIGG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9023, 31 October 1892, Page 5

BANQUET TO THE HON. J. RIGG.

[BP TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Sunday. A banquet, arranged by the trade unions, was given last night bo the Hon. J. Rigg, in honour of his elevation to the Legislative Council. The toast of the evening was proposed by the chairman, Mr. Vf. J. Poynton, who spoke in terras of high praise of the character and great ability of Mr. Rigg. In replying, Mr. Rigg said in his opinion the appointment of labour representatives to the Council would increase the confidence of the country in the Government. Replying to the toast of " Our Country," Sir R. Stout spoke at some length on the necessity of looking after the moral, intellectual, and physical development of the people, besides which education must be advanced further than it at present, went. In regard to the labour appointments, ho believed they had set an example to the world, which would reflect glory on themselves, and there was no going back, though they must see that nothing was done by the State to interfere with the liberty of the subject. Mr. Seddon, replying to the toast of " Ministers and Parliament," said they had been able to go through the last session so successfully because they had a concrete party at their back. As to the appointments, he felt sure the new members would reflect honour on the Council, as the labour members had done on the House of Representatives.