BANQUET TO MR J. BRYCE, M.H.R.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 743, 28 May 1886, Page 26

BANQUET TO MR J. BRYCE, M.H.R.

A complimentary banquet was given at toe Drill-shed ou Saturday afternoon to Mr John Bryc-s M.H.R., aud late Native Minister, on" 7 th? occasion cf his return to. New Zealand, after the triumphant vindication of bi 3 character from the attacks made iu Mr. Rusdeu’s book. The gathering was a thoroughly representative one, numbering some 200 persons, comprising Ministers of the Grown, about 30 members of both Houses of Parliament, and the leading mercantile men of the city. There were also a number of ladies present. iris Wbrship the Mryor (Mr A. W. Brown) occupied the chair, having on his right the guest of the day, toe Hon the Premier (Mr £l. Stout), Sir Maurice O’Rorke (Speaker of the House of Representatives), (Lionel Sir George Whitmore (Cornminder of the Forces), and Colonel Brett, M.L.G.; and on the left S ; r William Fitzherbert (Speaker of the Legislative Council), the Hon J. Ballanee_( Native Minister), and Maj or Atkinson. Luncheon being over, the Mayor read a letter from Sir Julius Vogel exp-essive of sympathy with the object of the meeting, and regretting inability to attend. Apologies were also receiv-ed aud read from Messrs J. E. Nathan and F. J. Moss. The Mayor proposed the toasts of “ Her Majesty the Queen,” “ His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and members ot the R,/yal Family,” and “His Excellency the Governor,” which were duly honored Mr John Dufhie proposed the toast, “ The Army, Navy, and Volunteers.” After referring to the Maori troubles of twenfci yearn ago he said it was a strange thing that they should be there in connection with what took place at that time. Tito Kowaru murdered four settlers, and subsequent proceedings against the rebels taken by Mr Bryce at tbe head of the local forces, resulted in the occurrence which brought the libel action. Briefly touching upon the massacre at Poverty Bay, and the daily peal iu which the town of Wang anui stood, he ciosed his remarks by coupling with the toast the names of Colone-1 Brett, Mr J. O. Crawford, aud Colonel Whitmore. Colonel Brett felt highly honored by. the compliment, but felt he could not do credit to the toast. Having alluded to tbe readiness or the British army when called upon, he referred to the actions of Mr Bryce in this country, and his vindication of the honor of the Volunteers. He thought the time was not far distant when there would be a revolu tion in Great Britain and Ireland. Mr Crawford said it was nearly half a century since he was in the Navy, which had, under Graham, Stanley and Cracroft, performed most valuable service in the early days of the Colony. It seemed to him that the British G-overnmeut would have some work cut out for the Navy very soon, but he had no doubt that it would do its duty on the occasion.

Colonel i Whitmore thanked them for remembering the Volunteers on this occasion, and for coupling his name with the toast. Having referred to the Volunteers, of whom they possessed nearly 9000, he alluded to the feelingof sympathy andlove which every soldier knew'existed for Mr Bryce iu the hearts of his fellow-countrymen and women, who gloried in hi 3 triumphs, and welcomed him on his return. Who would not work well under such circumstances. Again referring to the Volunteers, he said should the time ever arise when their services were wanted, it would be found that the Lion's cub 3 had not had tbeir nails cut. They had not come there, however, to do honor to the Volunteers specially, hut for a better purpose, although a kindred subject, They had come to do honor to a gentleman who was a volunteer of great distinction. Mr Bryce had done great service, not only to the Volunteer force, but to the whole of the people of New Zealand.. He had done more by his courageous action in going Home, at great personal risk—as he had himself told them—to further the federation of the Empire than would have been accomplished by tons of essays. That one achievement had done more to bring about united action on the part of the Colonies with the Empire than even the actions of a late Governor had done to bring about a disruption. Alluding to the time of the Native troub'e3. Colonel Whitmore said in the camp they had no secrets, and if the alleged occurrences had taken place he would have known it. Referring to the sources of information relied upon— Dr Featherston aud Major Kemp behind their backs—by Mr Bryce’s detractors, he said he did not believe them. Dr Featherston had never told him (Colonel Whitmore) anything about it, and he did not believe it. Ha had been talking to Dr Featherston every day at the time, working oat a scheme in connection with the Natives, and he would have said something about it. He (Colonel Whitmore) saw Mr Bryce a few days before he went Home, and told him of three or four p-rsons who could give evidence, but Mr Bryce said he had abundance of evidence, and felt confident of success unless the Maori evidence was taken and the public swayed by the screeching people of Exeter Hall. Mr Bryce saw more clearly and wisely, and trusted to the justice of the people. Iveferiiog to the tre.'fcment of tha Natives, Colonel Whitmore said in no instance iu the history of the whole civilised world had there been shown less brutality and less ferocity than iu the Maori war. (Cheers). Mr E. Pearce proposed the “ Parliament of New Zealand,” and said the Colony had reason to be proud of its National Assembly. It had had men in days gone by, and still had men who would adorn any Parliament in the world. Their guest had made hi 3 mark ia that Assembly, and it would be well if the constituencies woald continue to elect men of the same Btamp as Mr Bryce. Sir W. Fitzherbert (Speaker of the Legislative Council) and Sir Maurice O’Rorke (Speaker of the House of Representatives) replied, both referring in eulogistic terms, to Mr Bryce during their remark 3 , Sir Mautice denouncing in strong terms the libellous statements made against that gentleman. Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald proposed “ The Ministry,” Referring to tbe business of the present session, he thought the Ministry had a large amount of work before them. Die thought tliat, however they might differ as. to the policy pursued by different Ministries, they all agreed that the members composing them were actuated by the highest aspirations

for the good of the Colony. He coupled with the toast the name of the Premier, who was personally respected throughout tha length and breadth of the Colony. The Hon R. Stout, who was received with cheers, recognised that they met th it day for no political purpose ; they had met for a higher one, to which he would presently refer. Having alluded to the lofty aims of representative Government, and the changes that took place in public opinion from day to day, which resembled the swinging of a pendulum, he referred to one essential requirement iu Parliamentary Governmen, namely, that those who were called upon to assume office should bear an unsullied name, and he pointed out that anything a politician did or said to injure a Minister was to aim a blow at Parliamentary Government and political liberty. So far (as the guest was concerned, he had beeu on the same side of the House with him, aud also been opposed to him ; but whether on one Bide or the other they had always beeu on good terms. Commenting on what took place in the political arena between political opponents, he said that if it could be shown that they had their names unsullied, and strove to do their duty, they would hand down to tbeir children something batter than all the wealth the Colony could produce. (Applause.) Mr Bryce had shown not only to the people of this Colouy, but of all England, that he valued his name as a pearl above price, aud his action had east honor ou New Zealand. (Loud applause.) His Worship the Mayor, in proposing the health of Mr John. Bryce, M.H.R,, said he did so with considerable diffidence. There were many gentlemen present who had known Mr Bryce for a great length of time—one who had known him 46 years ago—and who were, therefore, better able to do justice, to the toast. Having referred with satisfaction to the presence of ladies, the speaker said when Mr Bryce left the Colony to prosecute his suit he was entering upon a period of great anxiety, but he took with hina the hearty good-will of every colonist who knew anything about the early history of New Zealand. Some looked upon the . result of his mission as doubtful, but all wished him well. Not to pub too fine a point on the charge, it amounted to one of murder, and it was difficult to imagine how any person aiming be an historian could have been found to lay such a charge out of tbe occurrences that took place (luring Mr Bryce’s connection with the Natives. He could not imagine a charge more horrible than that, and all must admire the pluck aud endurance of Mr Bryce in going home to defend himself, aud fighting for the honor of his wife and and that of the country. If there had been a particle of truth in the statement, and the people of New Zealand had not cried out about it, all the colonists from Auck lmd to the Bluff would have been participators in the dishonor. The news by cable was received with feelings of joy that Mr Bryce had vindicated his character from the grave charge, aud obtained £SOOO damages aguest his slanderer. The book was a very one-sided one, and showed the way iu which history was sometimes written. There wen libellous statements not only against Mr Bryce, but against other gentlemen well-known to them, ■who had been slandered aud vilified iu a similar manner. The Chief Justice, Sir James Prendergast, had been painted in the blackest colors for signing the proclamation for tbe march on Parikaka, while Sir Donald McLean and Colonel Whitmore were also vilified in that book in a most disgracefu' manner. It took a one-sided view about Native affairs generally, and said Mr B -yce’s mission was to trample upon the Maoris. Well, the people elected Dir Bryce and placed him in his position, and therefore when it was sail that Mr Bryce’s mission was to trample upon the Maoris it was equivalent to eaving that the people of New Zealand were doing it. He would like to picture Mr Rusden’s feelings if he could look upon that assemblage to do honor to Mr Bryce. He (the Mayor) could not touch upon politics, but could not help referring to Mr Bryce’s success in dealing with the Maoris, and he thought that Mr Ballanoe, if asked, would admit that Mr Bryce had paved the way for his (Mr Ballacce’s) present success with the Natives. He then alluded to the honor that had been conferred on New Zealand statesmen, and said he thought tbe next mau entitled to be knighted was Mr John Bryce. ; and if they received new 3 from Home in a few days to that effect, he thought there was not one man iu the Colony who would not say the right mail had got the title, and deserved it. (Loud applause.) Mr Bryce (who was received with cheers) said that, returning from a period of auxiety in England, he again experienced anxiety here as to how be could fitly acknowledge the ex-tr-me kiednes3 with which he had beeu receivad back in New Zealand. Hitherto he had failed to do so, and he should fail now. He should like in no feeble terms to acknowledge the presence of ladies on this occasion. He did not wish to' express any empty compliment, but thought it appropriate that they should be present on an occasion like tms, which was connected with the honor of a public man ; and it would be for the benefit of the Colony if the ladie3 took greater interest in the honor of the public men of the Colony. He thought he ought ah:o to acknowledge the presence of his political opponents. He saw not only the Premier of the Colouy and members of the Ministry, but metaber3 of both tiles of the Hou-e. They seemed to remember ouly that he was a New Zealand colonist. Such magnanimity was its own reward. He referred to the personal popularity of the Premier, and attributed it not so much to his great ability as to his large human sympathy, and he presumed it wasliecause of that sympathy that be was present that day, which did honor to himself and to him (Mr Bryce). He ought to return thanks to the citizens of Wellington and the people of the Colony for the kindness they had shown him, and to those who had stood beside him through thick and thin, and who would require a large amount of evidence to believe he was the vile man he had been painted. He did not know what to say to ad j quately express what he felt, but, fortunately, they did not want thanks. _ In going on his mission to England, he felt that he had the sympathy of the great bulk of the people of New Zealand, but the great demonstrations made in all parts of the Colony on his return had been a great surprise to him. Mr Pollock, hi 3 solicitor in England, had toid him when he saw him suffering from depression that during his voyage out that feeling would

wear away, and the colonists would receive him with open arms ; but he (Mr Bryce) replied, “ No, Mr Pollock, you are mistaken ; I am a very quiet mau, and they will make no demonstration on my return.” He received the news of his victory with a kind of callous feeling. He had been afraid that he was not going to receive that consideration which he deserved, and tbe revulsion of that feeling by a victory at all points caused no exultation. He had been advised by hi 3 lawyers that he would receive justice and law. He was satisfied in his own mind that he had not slaughtered helpless people as was stated, and so far as justice and law were concerned he thought tbe verdict must go in his favor. But on one point he was afraid. Tbe people of this Colony had suffered in one way iu a very remarkable and unjust manner, We bad been charged with treating the Natives with great cruelty and injustice, and in the Court Sir John Gorst said that the actions of the Europeans with the Natives had been one long tragedy. That was preached from many a platform in England. Standing there he (Mr Bryce) wished to say that if we had treated the Natives of the Colony in the essentially unjust manner attributed to us, we should well deserve the censiue, almost the curses of the people at Home. (Cheers.) He had said on every opportunity that he could, and he repeated it now, that the history of the world showed no instance where a people had been treated with such generosity and consideration as the Maories have been treated by us. The Maoris were tenacious of their land, but how had they been treated ? It was true that in consequence of rebellion ConfLcation had. been resorted to on the West Coast, but much of the land had been returned. The Maoris there had given the greatest trouble, but enough land had been returned to them to enable them and their descendents to keep themselves in afßuenee and idleness. This might be an error, perhaps, but it was one which ought not to be charged against us, but should be charged to our gensros'ty. Tin re were 29,000,000 acres in the North Island, and Maoris owned no fewer than 13 000,000 acres of the 29,000,000. Their property had been largely increased in value by the public works of the Colouy, but their land had not been taxed. In the history of the world, whoever heard of aa aborigiual race being treated like that before ? In view of that, who could say that we had treated the Natives with injustice ? What should he say with regard to political representation ? The Maoris had as full representation as the Europeans. They had four members in the Lower House, and were fully represented in proportion to their numbers, while they had three members in the Legislative Council, aud he believed it was comtemplated by the Government to place another member there. The race was just passing from barbarism, aud were there any men in Exeter Hall or any where else who could ju-tly say they were not fairly treated. Looking at the subject broadly, we had treated the Maoris with a feelrng of generosity, so far as his knowledge went, in a manner that had never been equalled by any history in the world. Teat very point constituted the danger in his case. It was because the ease was believed to be otie between the white man and tho Maori that the real danger existed. Sir John Gorst dwelt upon that, aud Irisd to get the sympathy of tbe jury on his side. Had there been one man on that jury influenced by such a consideration it would have been a defeat for him (Mr Bryce) ; for if the jury had disagreed, he could not have remained in England to await a second trial, and the other side would have moved for judgment. against him. That was the danger. His opponent appeared to be relying solely upon the prejudices of the people of Loudon, but he relied upon the justice of an English jury, and he was proud to say his reliance was not in vain. When that verdict was given, instead of fliDging his hat in the air as most people would have done, a feeling of depression came over him, and in the vessel on the voyage out he felt a soit of bitterness against certain opponents who had, as he thought, struck him below the belt ; but as the voyage went on he thought of the great vindication he had made, and sine -he had been back in New Zealand he had not said a word against those men who had treated him so unworthily. Nor would he say anything now. But in* ferentially he might say something in regard to one gentleman greatly respected in this city. In Mr Rusden’s book, in the witness box, and in the pleadings in the Court, the name of Dr. Featherston was mentioned. He could net claim So have been a political follower of Dr Featherston, but that gentleman bad a deep regard for him (Mr Bryce) which was reciprocated, and he thought in this city he ought to do what he could to relieve that gentleman’s memory from what he thought was a slander to him and to himself. A gentleman whose defective memory must be a curse to him, remembered a conversation which took place ei“ht years ago, in which Dr Featherson had expresssd op’nions adverse to him (Mr Bryce). He (the speaker) saw him frequently afterward, but he never said anything about it, and of all men he had known in New Zealand Dr Featherston was the last person to traduce his character, and was the first person to come to him if he had anything to say. He (Mr Bryce) desired to say emphatically, once and for all, that of that conversation he did not believe a single word. (Cheers.) In conclusion, he felt deeply tbe kindness shown to him on that occasion. He felt gratified with the reception accorded to him in this couutry, for it had satisfied him that, though sometimes they spoke lightly of their public men, in the true heart of the country the honor of Its public men was held dear. (Loud cheering.) Mr Bryce proposed a vote of thanks to His Worship the Mayor, which was responded to, and the proceedings terminated.