THE NEW ZEALAND DINNER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11433, 25 July 1900, Page 6

THE NEW ZEALAND DINNER.

A RECORD GATHERING. [VROJ[ OCR OWN, CORRESPONDENT.]-i ..V.' London June 15. ;■■. Quite the largest 'and most widely-represen-tative, of any gathering' of New. Zealandcrs that has ever yet, taken place outside , tho colony itself was that which camo about at tho Cafe Monico, Regent-street, r last Tuesday evening, the occasion being the annual "New Zealand dinner." This was originated very successfully by Mr. Thomas Mackenzie, whose mantle," and I might almost add "a double portion of tho spirit," of that departed Elijah, has fallen upon his 1 able Elisha, Mr. 11. O. Cameron. Determined from the outset that this vear's Now Zealand dinner should in no respect.lag behind its predecessors, Mr. Cameron throw ! himself heart and soul into the undertaking, with the desperate energy which he dovotes to every matter that he takes up in connection with Now Zealand. The result was, as usual, a remarkable success. Every New Zealand interest and party was well and innuciitially represented, and many colonial friends met that evening who had not seen one another's faces for decades. A special feature of interest was the presence of such eminent public men as Mr. Rollcston (Home for the first time in nearly half-a. century), Mr. Thomas Fergus, Mr. Richard Oliver, Mr. Justice Denniston, and Mr. W. P. Reeves. Then wo had an exGovernor, Lord Glasgow, as chairman, and several members or ex-members of tho New Zealand Legislature, including Mr. F. Arkwright, M.L.0., Colonel Poarcc, Mr. George Boetham, and Mr. J. 0. Wason. Among other New Zealandcrs who are, or have been, prominent in one position or another in the colony, were Messrs. F. A. Anson, John Beaumont, G. E. Tolhurst, E. G. Tegotmeier, Wolf Harris, W. T. Holmes, 0. Tharazyn, etc. The complete list of guests who were present, or had signified their intontion of being present, is as follows:---

Mr. W. P. Reeves, Mr. Justice Denniston, the Hon. W. Eolleston. tho Bon. B. Oliver, the Hon. F. Arkwright, the Hon. Thomas Fergus, General Hambley, Colonel Pcarce, Mr. G. W. P. Woodroffo, Mr. Lifton Wynne, Mr. J. MacIver, Mr. M. Maclvor. Mr. Wolf Harris, Mr. S. J. Nathan, Mr. W. T. Holmes, Mr. 0. G. Tegetmeior, Mr. W. Friodlander. Mr. 0. R. Strickland, Mr. W. Murray, Mr. W. Sanderson, Mr. K. M. Turnbull, Mr. M. Murray, Mr. J. C. Wason. Mr. C. Pharazyn, Mr. George Beetham, Mr. R. Maxwell, Mr. C. Balme, Mr. G. E. Beddington, Mr. J. A. Potter, Captain C. P. Wilson (Board of Trado), Mr. E. A. Jones, Mr. H. G. Strickland, Mr. W. C. R. Bellamy, Mr. D. McMillan, Mr. W. Emery, Mr. D. Stewart, Mr. J. K. Campbell, Mr. F. Hyams, Mr. G. H. Oatway, Mr. W. Lcedliam Crowe, Mr. A. W. Watkins, Mr. F. Shaw, Mr. T. B. Maimering, Mr. C. H. Inglie, Mr. J. Hay, Mr. W. J. Cresswoll, Mr. W. Grant Irmes, Mr. A. P. Soward, Mr. P. J. Irwin, Mr. H. Sargeant, Mi-. E. H. Robinson, Mr. R. Galloway, Dr. Vidal Robinson, Mr. W. Wctbcread, Mr. E. J. Watt, Mr. Edward Murphy, Mr. G. E. Tolhurst, Mr. A. C. Arthur, Dr. Dang, Mr. James Caird, Mr. G. Gould, Mr. A. 8. Otterson, Mr. W. 0. Watson, Mr. P;rcy Atloe, Mr. J. Murphy, Mr. W. F. Crawford, Mr. John Ross, Mr. T. Brown, Mr. A. Hill Jack, Mr. W. B. Craig, Mr. E. A. Home, Mr. W. N. Daniels, Mr. F. Bryant, Mr. F. Bordly, Mr. N. Sherwood, Mr. I'catherstone, Mr. R. Hißlop, Mr. E. Hill, Mr. J.- F. Adair, Mr. W. Sherwood, Mr. Gofton-Salmond, Mr. R. S. Abraham, Mr. Spencer Morris, Mr. T. C. Williamson, Mr. J. D. Williamson, Dr. Haine3, Mr. C. Sharland. Mr. W. Donaldson, Mr. E. J. Spence, Mr. W. Dvmock, Mr. Arthur J. Fraser, Mr. Henrv Mackenzie, Mr. H. Woodward, Mr. E. D. Giles, Mr. E. Sherwood, Captain Rose, Mr. J. A. Gordon, Mr. A. S. Ratbbone, Mr. F. Armstrong, Mr. John Cotter, Mr. Alfred Dillon, Mr. T. Borthwick, Mr. James Paterson, Mr. A. Carrick, Mr. J. C. Hanna, Mr. B. H. Neil], Mr. P. 0. Neill. Mr. H. V. Anson, Mr. F. A. Anson, Mr. J. H. Baker, Mr. J. Carrnthers, Mr W. Wood, Mr. John Beaumont, Mi-. J. E. Shrubsole, Mr. H. J. Wood, Mr. John Brown, jun., Mr. W. B. Clarkson, 'Mr. A. Ginger, Mr. D. J. Goodsir, Mr. P. G. Weddel, Mr. D. B. Gibson, Mr. John Alexander, Mr. T. Borthwick, .inn., Mr. A. S. Ginger, Mr. C. W. Clarkson, Mr. E. H. Godsal, Mr. Gordon Campbell, Mr S. B. Smithson, Mr. George Goodsir, Mr. D. McPherson, Mr. J. B. Moore, Mr. G. Adams, Mr. A. W. Pottinger, Mr. A. J. Randall, Mr. L. J. Nathan, Mr. J. Welch, Mr. J. Nathan. Mr. F. P. Halford, Mr. It. L. Ha.vman, Mr. J. W. Cossair, Mr. G. D. Turner. Mr. E. M. Kennawav, Captain Moffatt, Mr. Percy H. Dobson, Mr. C. R. Valentine, Mr. S. Lyons. Mr. W. Wooley. Mr. J. Pullen, and Mr. J. Kirkcaldio. About 160 in all were actually present.

All the arrangements were excellently carried out. The place of honour in the menu me given to " Saddle of New Zealand Lamb ala Clamart." A. large ante-room and two reception-rooms were provided, in which guests might stroll about and converse. During the evening two Now Zealand vocalises, Mies Mabel Manson, of Dunedin, and Mr. J. Kirkley Campbell, of Nelson, sang some songs, which were much enjoyed, lliss Manson, who was heard for the first time, and with evident surprise and delight, by many colonists present, was in splendid voice. Iter songs, "Vainka" and " Solveig" (Greig), wave enthusiastically applauded. Mr. Campbell's fine tenor voice told out with striking effect in "The Dear Little Shamrock" and "Tivas Long, Long Since, in the Springtide," and Mr. Bantook Pierpoint, the popular London baritone, also gavo valuable assistance. Justice having been done to the appetising menu, the toast-list was opened, as a matter of course, with the usual loyal toasts, which were proposed by the Chairman and received with enthusiasm.

Mr. Justice Denniston then proposed " The Army, Navy, and Imperial Forces." In the course of his speech he said al! had heard much of failure and disaster. He could not but think that when the story of the war came to be written circumstances would be viewed in something like fair proportion, and people would be amazed, not at what our generals bad failed to do, but at what they had accomplished. (Applause.) It had been common report and common belief among what had been called " mere ignorant formers" and among their trained and well-informed professional advisers, that there was sufficient force in South Africa to drive the British from its shores. But the wave that was to sweep the British into the sea had spent itself in vain upon British endurance at the Tugela,. at Ladysraith, at Kimberloy, and at Mafeking. (Applause). Younger officers had. come under condemnation because they had been prodigal of their lives—becauso they had been slow to learn the duty of concealing themselves from the enemy. That was a. fault which at least leaned to virtue's side. (Applause.) As to the rank and file— private soldier— what could be said of them? Before tho war it had been said that 50 years of peace and prosperity had sapped the energy and weakened the fibro of the British-?" Never I")— and that the army of the day was not the army that hod gained renown in the past. Who said that now'/ (Loud applause.) As to tho sister service, the navy, no one would ever wish to expel it from the place it held in the affections of the country. (Applause.) It had been his (the speaker's) good fortune, like most in the colonies, to meet with many naval officers. And he had never found a disagreeable one. (Applause.) And it had not been one of the least grounds of gratification when New Zealand learned that Lord Glasgow, who had left so many pleasant memories behind him, and. Lord Ranfurly had boon appointed Governors, that they had served in Her Majesty's fleet.(Applause.) Speaking as a colonist of 33 years standing, he felt it hardly became one to say too much of the material assistance which the colonial forces had rendered. (Loud Applause.) Their services had been spoken of by abler, and ho feared more unbiassed lips than his. Bui he was glad to think that New Zcalandcr.s had little to fear, and nothing to dread from the criticisms passed upon them. (Loud Applause.) They know what (he Generals on the field had said about the New Zealanders; and he had the authority of Mr. Reeves for saying that one as near a3 possiblo to the very highest authority in tho country, had been gracious enough to express to him similar complimentary expressions as to the services of New Zealanders at the front. It might have seemed risky to send lads to whom war was but mere rumour; but they had stood the test. (Applause.) After referring to the work done by the Capo Loyalists, Mr. Justice Denniston went on to say that the moral effect of the groat demonstration made of tho extraordinary rallying of the great sclfiroveming colonies round tho Mother Country, of tho offer of troops boforo they could be said to have been wanted, had done moro than anything clso to show that the " British Empire" was not a mere phrase, a geographical expression, but a great fact with winch Europe had to reckon. War was a stern master. But lessons had been learned from it. and perhaps not tho least, important was tho solidarity of the British Empire, that it was not a mere congeries of iIJ-slruhg-logether atoms, but one organic whole, beating with one pulse, from one centre. (Loud Applause.) That fact would bo recognised and appreciated; and especially so, ho believed, by that great nation across tho Atlantic. And the expenditure of the war would not be in vain if it resulted in Anglo-Saxons working together for goodwill, for freedom, for puro administration, and for honest and righteous Government throughout the world, (Loud applause.) Colonel Pcarce, in responding, said his experience as a volunteer bad occurred in New Zealand, a . colony distinguished •• for its loyalty to tho Mother Country, (Applause.) That devotion had been tested of late in a very practical way, and ; many had been surprised to sco the response made to what was. believed to bo'Hio call of duty..• ''.{$A , Tho, Chairman then ■ gave "Continued Prosperity to New Zealand," and remarked that he was glad of the opportunity of. showing his approbation for the colony which

he had had tho honour of 6 "' for 'five years. Applause) f 4 mon,rgigj: sitting beside him, Mr/ : Beeves, Judge Den- ; niston, ••*.. Mr. Rollesfcon,Mr. Oliver, ™* others whom he had known, he ould fancy himself back in New, Zealand aga m, And he almost wished he were. (Applause. hen ho thought ■; the happy time hejaj tad : there, with ; his ; family : growmg arotod him, of tho many friends he had he -appreciated^in>=. the ? country , which he loved ho really began to feel ; as though ho could parody the well-known ; words in the SgJs Opera, and say, '■' How happy could iRo in either, wero t'other dear.gmd away." ; (Laughter and applause-) ; .1 hero So need for him to speak of , the beauties if New Zealand, the charm .of ; the country, and of its scenery, or. of its poßßiW.ticj. But the best and happiest of his We had been spent there (Loud HfteLgj he .believed that the'-flitoe; of the colony would astonish even those who New Zealand was not going to federate S&Sm ("No-") Atle f- ha s S the -present idea, hOf course; i ■it t suited them in the futuro, they would ■ do.- so. Laughter.) In a very,, short too there would bo four or. five, great federations in to world-tho Anglo-Saxon Federate When that came. New Zealand $uMsg in a prior position as a colony! it would, he thought, be in a better position if it kept out If federation. He then-went on to speak more particularly to the toast, and to give statistics to show how Now Zealand had progressed. In conclusion, .tlie Chairman laid that Now Zealand was one of the nob est colonies in the world, as it certainly wo one of the most beautiful;, as long as lived he would look upon Ins residence there with tho utmost pleasure, and the greatest low. Mr.Xtleston, who was received with much applause, rejoiced to be present .what Had become an annual New Zealand dinner. It had a significance, not only because the nad as president ono who had shown that at any rale in heart and soul he wasi a New Z»lander; not only because New Zealand at the present tirao was prosperous to a degree that had not been before- in his memory; but mainly because the assembly had como together with a cordiality that had never bofore obtained, in consequent of the feeling they had in common with the Mother Country on the subject of the South African war. (Applause.) That event, more than any other, ho believed, bad roused sympathies and patriotism, and strengthened the ties that bound tho Mother Country and the colonies together. (Applause.) Passing from tho question of the " scarlet thread of kindred" to tho toast, as practical men they recognised that tho prosent prosperity of New Zealand, and the grounds they had for hoping for a continuance of that prosperity-whatever differences they might have as to the details of Government between public men— largely due to the men, who in the past, had colonised Now Zealand. Ho thought the prosperity of New Zealand was due to the fact that practically, no party feelings had interfered with the great policy of the country—in tho first place tho development of its lands. (Hear, hear.) There was nothing, to his mind, of greater importance to new countries than that question. That and education were the baso of all tho future prosperity of now countries; and public men of nil shades of opinion in New Zealand, for the last 50 years, had recognised that to the full. There had, as ho. had said, been differences of opinion. But on an occasion like that in which he was speaking, ho could say that howevor much he had differed from others, he believed they all had had the same objects at heart. (Hear, hear.) He believed in the settlement of the lands for happiness and family life. In the words of the great poet:

" To make a happy fireside clime, For weans and wife, That's the true pathos, and sublime, Of human life." It was that family life which, more than anything eke, made for the prosperity and happiness of any country; it was to the creation of family life to which the colony had to look, as they had looked in the past; and upon that more than anything else depended tho future prosperity of Now Zealand. Then New Zealand had had the courage to deal fearlessly, it might be mistakenly—who should say whether mistakenly or not—with tho great social problems upon which national character depended. They had laws in respect to labour, which shortened the hours of work; they had laws which prescribed sanitation, where it might not have been entertained in the factories of the country; they had lawn as to recreation; they had laws based upon the principle that man "does not live by bread alone;" that lie was not simply a labouring animal, but that he had higher aspirations and greater ends before him than mero labour. New Zealand had been spoken of as a country that loaned to experiments in legislation; as a country that looked, by passing Acts, to supersede economic laws. Ho was not prepared to say how far that was the case. Of course, men followed their own opinions. But if he were to give his opinion he would say, borrowing the phrase from one of the greatest public men of the present day, Lord Rosebery, that it was "a country of sublime experiments." (Laughter and applause) If ho (tho speaker) was told" that these experiments wore failures and mistakes, he would hesitate to subscribe to the idol. Ho would say, rather, "mistakes there may be; nay. mistake? there must be." But looking back on a long public life, he would say '.oo that politics were full of mistakes: that the acts and aspirations of the best public men failed in the attainment of what was desired; that it was rather a question not of failure and success, but of comparative failure and comparative success. (Hear, hear.) They were asked what was New Zealand doing socially and politically. His reply was that they had a social and political freedom haro.y to he beaten elsewhere; that that social and political freedom was not the result of any one particular body of men, but that it was tho result of the earnest desires of public mon of all shades of opinion in Now 7,s\land, from tho beginning to the present tim->, (Applause.) They had material progress gti"h as ho ventured to think hardly obtained in any one of the other colonies to 'tho present time. As to the future of New 7°aian.i, it seemed to him that the situation of their island home was unrivalled; ho hoped it would maintain that position, and that it would retain it* individuality as a colony. (Applause.) Ha hoped it would, like the Britain of the North, remain "Loyal and contented; independent and freeCompassed by the inviolate sea." and be, in the southern hemisphere, the counterpart of Great Britain. (Hear, hear.) The climate of Now Zealand na.l shown that it could produce wool and n.utton; bu l above all it had shown it could produce men. (Loud applause.) Young men grew up physically strong so that they could hardly libeaten. He believed himself that tho youth of the colony wero growing ip not only physically strong, but intellectually and men tally educated. He had the greatest hopes of the future prosperity of the colony, seeing that it was dependent upon its youth. IV older ones would gladly say their Nunc Dimittis, for they were assured thai tho colonywould not, in the hands of its youth, be less progressive than it had been, (Loud applause). Mr. A. 0. Arthur, ex-M.H.R. for the Ea=t Coast (in the absence of Sir E. If. Nelson), proposed the toast of " The Chairman," three cheers being given for Lord Glasgow and ono for Lady Glasgow, tho toast, also being drunk to the strains of "For He's a Jolh Good Follow.'' Tho Chairman, in responding, especially thanked the company for remembering Lady Glasgow, and mentioned that one of the most pleasant ana constant topics of conversation with his family was their sojourn in New Zealand. Leaving the tables, the company then adjourned to an adjoining apartment for the evening, for old friends to meet and chat together.