BANQUET TO CAPTAIN RUSSELL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1190, 21 December 1894, Page 36

BANQUET TO CAPTAIN RUSSELL.

From Our Own Correspondent. Hastings, December 13

A banquet was tendered to Captain Russell this evening at the Princess Theatre by a number of his supporters. The Mayor, Mr C. A. Eitzroy, presided. In proposing . the health of Captain Russell, Mr Fitzroy said that for a quarter of a century he had been before the country, and during the whole of that time he had commanded the respect of members on both sides of the House. .

Captain Russell, who on rising to reply was received with . prolonged applause, said that with regard to the work of the .session he was chosen as Leader of the Opposition, and the secret of their success was that there was no jealousy amongst them, but that they all worked •hard for the good of the country. The chairman had done no more than justice in the remarks he Had made as to the selfdenial of the Opposition during last session. Although they had all the brain power oh their side they could do but little against the overwhelming odds and overwork, for they had been expected tomake themselves familiar with 101 new statutes which had been foisted on this wretched country during the session. Although it had been charged against them that they were obstructionists, he could say that at no period of his political life had he seen so little obstruction, and the only obstruction they had offered at all was when they wanted to go home to bed. There was no denying the fact that the country had pronounced unmistakably in favour of the Seddon Government. They had been led away by the political Sequah of New Zealand, who, with trumpet and drum and a box of pills, had gone round telling them he could cure all their ailments. He was very much afraid the country would be ruined by the quacks and charlatans who were now ruling it. Before long they would be very glad, to go back to the regular doctors, whatever their fees might be. According to his judgment, the present Government had brought about a feeling of disquiet and distrust which was the sole reason for the gigantic number of unemployed now travelling the country. There was no doubt the proposals of the Government at first had ah effect on the English market, but that was only in their early career, when they were living on the works of their predecessors. He admitted that some of the money borrowed was used for purposes of a reproductive character, and agreed with the idea of acquiring Native land. It was unjust to say Sir Robert Stout was a traitor to Liberalism —- he was merely learning sense as he got older. Captain Russell severely criticised the Sergeant-at-Arms appointment and the Pomohaka purchase. Mr P. S. McLean proposed " The Houses of Parliament,” Mr Buchanan, M.H.R., replying. . Dr Newman, M.H.R., made a capital, humorous speech, and Mr R. Price and one or two others also spoke:. There were several ladies present, who viewed the banquet from trfee distance of the dress circle.

( The spread was supplied by Mr Glass- | fordv ! ~; . ,