LECTURE ON NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1511, 14 February 1901, Page 60

LECTURE ON NEW ZEALAND.

Mr J. C. Wason, who sat in the New Zealand House of Representatives for a number cf years and now represents Orkney in the House of Commons, delivered a lecture at tne Imperial Institute early last month on New Zealand. In the course of his remarks, Mr Wa-Son said New Zealand had been fortunate in her statesmen, for the very best brains in the country had been devoted, to its material interests. He did not wish to cast any reflection upon the New Zealand statesmen of the present day. He spoke as one who had more or less been all through the general run of politics, and he thought the mem who had control of affairs at the present- moment had devoted more care and attention to the material interests of the country than any other Ministry before them. One might agree with them or not, but the elements of fairness justified him m saying this. Some people thought they had gone too far with their legislation. That- might or might- not be. It was net a matter for discussion thatevening. But their intentions were most excellent. Although he had oeen opposed to their views, the measures that they had proposed and -carried out- in the faces of violent opposition had, so far as one could see, redounded to* the prosperity and material benefit of the country. Mr Wason said he was confident tout at the present moment, although in New Zealand there were no great avenues for speculators, or inducements held out to persons to become owners of vast territories, yet, at the same time, no country in the world could offer such opportunities to men to carve out comfortable and happy homes for themselves, or could offer to tourists -such attractions, such scenery, such comfortable: travelling, and such good sport.