BANQUET TO MR CADMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10035, 23 January 1896, Page 5

BANQUET TO MR CADMAN.

AN INFLUENTIAL & ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING. [by telegraph.— REPORTER.] Thames, Wednesday. A MOST successful complimentary banquet tendered by the Thames public to the Hon. A. J. Cadinan, Minister of Mines, in recognition of the deep interest lie has ever taken in the welfare of tho mining industry, took place at Morrison's Royal Hotel to-night. There was a large and influential attendance, inoludiug the leading publio men of the district, representatives of tho mining and other industries, and many other welt-known townspeople, The preparations for the banquet had been entrusted to the following gentlemen, who acted as stewards:— Messrs. T. Radford (Mayor), T. A. Dunlop (chairman of the Thames County Council), A. Bruce (secretary), W. H. Buroh, J. Coutts, G. S. Clark, H. J. Greenslade, J. Hague Smith, and E. Quint). These gentleman had overlooked uotliiug that could in any way have contributed to the success of the gathering, and the eclat and enthusiasm with which the function passed off was a reward they thoroughly deserved, as it was also the only reward they desired. In addition to the officials already mentioned the following other visitors and townsfolk were among the company, whioh must have numbered about 80 persons: The Hon. the Minister of Mines ana his private secretary (Mr, B. Wilson), Messrs. J. Mc'Jowan, M.H.R., W. Kelly, M.H.R., W. McCullourli, M.L.C., H. Eyre Kenny, S.M., A. Smith (Bank of New Zealand), T. Wood (chairman of the Harbour Board), Gillespie, H. A. Gordon (Mining Inspector) T. L. Murray, L. A. Baguall, P. Maxwell, Loughlin, J. Park, F.G.b., G. S. Clark, G. Price, 15. McDonald, J. Watson, J. (Jorbett, Otter, F. McCornrick, W. Davev, J. McEnteer, R. Coombes, H. L. Koefoed, R. N. Smith, C. McLean, Poulgrain, Bayidon, Styak, W. Scott, T. Kil«our. Renshaw, R. Comer, and McLaren. The Mayor (Mr, T, Radford) occupied the chair, being supported on the right by the Minister and on the left bjr Mr. alcGowau, the member for the district. The spread provided by Mr. Morrison, the proprietor of _ the Royal Hotel, left nothing to be desired, and tho proceedings throughout were of the heartiest description. Mr. Cad'nan, whose speeoh was of course the prinoipal item on the programme, was accorded a splendid reception. His remarks, like those of nearly all the other speakers, were naturally in a great measure devoted to the mining iudustry, on its past, its present, and its future, and were listened to with marked atteution. The gathering broke up about midnight. PRELIMINARY TOASTS. After ample justice had been done to the excolleut dinner, the chairman proposed the toast of "The Queen and the Koyal Family," and the chairman, Mr. McGo ivan, followed with the toast of "The Army, Navy, and Colonial Forces." Ho laid stress upon the importance to the whole Empire of being prepared for any emergency, and went on to state, amid applause, that England had recently shown that she was prepared to cope with auy difficulty that might arise. Mr. T. L. Murimy responded. The Mayor then proposed the toast of the evening, "Our Guest, the Hon. A. J. Cadman." He stated that he believed no man could have done more for the mining industry than Mr. Cadman had done.

Mr. Cadman heartily thanked the gathering for the hearty manner in which they had responded to the toast, stating that he would speak at greater length later on, when replying to the toast of " The Ministry of New Zealand."

The next toast was "The Legislative Council and the House of Representatives," which was proposed by Mr. T. Wood. Mr. MoCulloooh in responding pointed out that the recent change in the constitution of the Council was not obstructive, although it was a common oharge levelled against them. As a mutter of fact it was a matter of general belief that the Government had introduced measures in the hope that the Council would throw them out. Measures bearing upon them tho name of Mr. Cadman were always carefully considered in the Council, for that gentleman was not one of those who desired to set the world right in a (lay by means of legislation. Mr. W. Kklly responded on behalf of the House of Representatives. He believed next session an attempt would be made to force the Government to raise a loan, He believed the country members would be found supporting a loan to a man, and he (Mr. Kelly) would not be afraid to contest his seat on the borrowing or non-borrowing question. The Government had perhaps borrowed » little, but if the debt had been increased tho interest had decreased.

Mr. Cadman in a complimentary speech proposed the health of the member for the district (Mr. McQowan), to which the latter gentlemen suitably responded. Mr. Cadman thought it was only a question of a little time before they saw Mr. MoGnwan in tin Ministry, and Mr. McQowan contended that were it not for Mr. Cadman and men of his stamp the present Liberal Government would not now be in office.

SPKKCU BY MR. CADMAN. At this stage Mr. MoCullooqh proposed the toast of" The Ministry of New Zealand.' 1 He said that before March, 1895, there were only 4893 acres held for mining purposes. Up .to October 5225 acres had been added, and since last October there had been granted, or were awaiting the decision of the Warden, no less than 55,371 additional acres, which gives a total of 05,000 aores of auriferous oountry. Within the next two years he believed 1000 stampers would be at work. Mr. Cadman, who on rising to reply was warmly applauded, commenced by reading a telegram from the Premier, regretting hie absence, and sending his best wishes to all old friends. Mr. Cadman said it was a ch-nge to hear the Ministry spoken so well of after all they had heard from their opponents to the contrary. Why should they not after all legislate for the industrial aa well as for the other classes of the community—the landed class for instance ? It was well to take a lesson from what had taken place in the old country, and mako provision for the time when New Zealand would be a thickly • populated country. They should do something for those who would come after them. Perhaps in the course of time they would have to remodel measures that wore not working well, hut there were labour measures that had worked well. Take, tor instance, the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill, which had praotically put an end to strikes in New Zealand. They were endeavouring to deal with things in a sensible way, Instead of sneering and gibing they should receive praise for what they had endeavoured to do. It was surely commendable for the Ministry to do what they could to prevent sweating. For instance, men ought not to be treated »s horses. It had bceu said on the one hand the Government was going too fast and were ruining the colony, while the workers on the other hand were asking what were the Government doing after all ? They were doing little or nothing. Abrupt changes were to be condemned, One or twocarefully-thought-out measures were quite enough for one session. Then take the half holiday, which a little while ago caused so much agitation in Auckland. It was now generally considered that the holiday was necessary, the only dispute being whether the day should bo Wednesday or Saturday, This was surely a great advance. Mr. Cadman proceeded to deal with the functions of a Government, which after all was but the mouthpieco of tho people. Ho also repelled the charges of tyranny which lied been laid against the present Ministry. He said that, as a matter of fact, outside of certain policy measures all members were allowed a free hand. Only on a few great questions wero members required to toe the mark. The talk of putting the screw on was but stupid nonsense; Then oqain, in Parliament them were seventy-five members holding widely differing views, and therefore if any measure were to be passed at all, Ministers must be prepared to make compromises. Coming to the question of borrowing, it was quite true that the debt had been increased, because Parliament had passed measures such as the Advances to Settlers Bill, tho Land Bills, and legislation of that kind, but the interest was not inoreased beouuse the borrowers and settlers had to pay it, The public debt of £40,000,000 was often adversely referred to, but little was said of tho colony's assets, such as the railways, Dealing with the railways, it had been said . the Jraeroa Railway was not to be extended, but such was not the case. It was only a question of money. The country would have to doqide whether there should be any further borrowing. He believed the country members would be in favour of a loan, while the town members would bo opposed to it, The country as a whole would have to decide this question. If the people were not prepared to borrow expenditure would have to be ourtailed, for thoy would only have Inoo-ne derived from taxation to upend. Probably it would bo advisable not to go in for heavy expenditure for a few years, yet if they desired to borrow they could do so now much more qheaply than ever before, If they could get money at 3 per cent, instead of paying for every million forty, forty-five, or even fifty thousand as heretofore in interest, they could get it for £30,000. Mr. Cadman then ably defended his .railway policy, and the Native Land polioy of the Government. They had not been believed ia purchasing native lands, more especially in connection wish the goldfields. A great deal had been said about doing something for the Pinko Swamp, but the question of drainage made this a very large matter to touch. It would require about £250,000 for draining. However, when the land was absolutely

required something would have be done, Mr. Caiman then proceeded to deal wicn the mining industry, and stated at the outset that in their diatriofc they were not doing enough in the way of prospecting. off was the time to push the prospering on rigorously. They should not wait uutil everyone was on his beam .ends and hard up. Now .was tuß time when there was plenty of money about. It was absolutely • necessary that in the raining industry capital and labour should go hand in hand. All experience had proved that in the Hauraki diatriot they could never go ahead without oapit&l. Work must ba oarriod on in a large way. Even the VVaihi mine would not pay if carried on in the old way. The Miners' Union had objected to certain clauses of his last Mining Act, as likely to create monopolies, but the miners did not understand his object. The olause was not inserted to encourage capital, and instead of creating a monopoly, the result would be to open up the country, and cause the spending of money and the employment of labour. Coming to deep levels, Mr. Cadman said the Queen of Beauty matter had been finally settled, and a oontraot had been let for the necessary machinery, and when it comes out it would be the greatest machinery in the Southern Hemisphere. For instance, it would be capable ol lifting 2000 gallons of water per minute a height of 2000 feet. The Government would contribute £'26,000, and the shaft would not belong to any one person or company, but all might have the use of it upon paying a fair charge. The lower levels might be the means of draining the whole area, and if so further legislation might be necessary, and then he hoped tile people of the distriot would see that the company working the shaft received fair consideration. After a further defence of the methods of the Government Mr. Cadman resumed his seat amid loud applause.

concluding toasts. The other toasts were as follow:—"The Mining Industry," proposed by Mr. T. L. Murray, and responded to by 'Messrs. Radford and Comer; "Local Bodies," proposed by Mr. H. Eyre Kenny, S.M., ana responded to by oho Mayor, the Coulity Chairman, and the Chairman.of the Harbour Board; " Local Industries," proposed by Mr. R. N. Smith, and responded to by Mr, Koefoed; " Our Visitors," proposed by Mr. Dunlop, and responded to by Mr. T. L. Murray and Mr. H. A. Gordon, F.G.8.: " The Ladies," proposed by Mr. Poulgrain, and responded to by Messrs. Scott and Chapman; " The Press," proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by the representative of the New Zealand Hhrald and the other pressmou present. - A vote of thanks to the host and to the chairman terminated a very pleasant gathering.

Mr. Cadman was waited on to-day by deputations from County and Borough. The Minister promised that the ThamesTe Aroha railway would be continued during tho year. He agreed to ask the PostmasterGeneral to reconsider the Harbour Board's application for a loan of £5000 for extending the wharf.