THE NEW MINISTERS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1798, 22 August 1906, Page 53

THE NEW MINISTERS

MR McNAB BANQUETED. INTENTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION. GORE, August 14. About three hundred people attended the banquet tendered by hie constituents to the Hon R. McNab on his appointment as Minister of Lands. The gathering was, a representative one, comprising leading public men from all over Southland and Southern Otago. Apologies for absence were received from Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. J. A. Millar, and many members of Parliament. The chairman (Mr W. Macara (chairman of the Minister’s Election Committee for many years), in proposing the toast of "Our Guest/’' referred briefly to the honour conferred on the electorate by Mr McNab’e appointment, and predicted for him as successful a career as any of his predecessors in the position. Mr McNab, on rising to respond, was very warmly received. He was, he said, placed in a position of some difficulty and delicacy. He would have liked to tell his constituents something of the policy of the Ward Administration, but it had been arranged by the Ministry that as Parliament would meet shortly no public statements concerning the policy would be announced until they were put into his Excellency’s mouth. He could speak on the matter of the new Administration, but must be dumb in regard to its policy—as dumb ae Mr Massey understood him to be on the land question. (Laughter.) They could therefore understand the limitations under which he spoke. He was, however, justified in stating as an actual matter of fact that the suggestion of favouritism to Southland in the constitution of the Ministry had nothing to do with his appointment. When he returned from Sydney in February, 1905, the late Mr Seddon offered him a portfolio in his Cabinet as Minister for Lands and Education. Mr SeJldon also expressed his intention of giving Mr J. A. Millar the portfolios of Marine and Labour, so* that they would see that Sir Joseph Ward disposed of his portfolios as his late chief would have desired. (Applause.) Mr Seddon also stated to him that there was no other position which required filling, but if one should be created or an extra member required he could not see any better man than Mr Geo. Fowlds. Those three members were the ones who had commended themselves to Sir J oseph Ward. Circumstancs to which he would not refer caused him (the speaker) not to accept Mr Seddon’s offer, but if the late Premier had lived to the end of the present year the same three men would have been in the Government with him. (Applause.) That was the judgment of Sir Joseph Ward’s predecessor, the greatest politician this country or Australasia had ever seen, and perhaps the greatest, that they would see. It was the first time now for many years that there was at the head of the Government a man with thoroughly up-to-date business methods. The party had not had a leader with modern business methods as they were now known. The men brought into the Government of the colony would not let one man carry all the burden,as had been done in the past, thereby hurrying a Premier into an early grave. If the shoulders of those who had to bear the burden were not broad enough for their work they would have to go back to private membership. Those were the methods upon which the Ward administration was to be "run.” The criticism in regard to the Cabinet had been flattering, but surprise had been expressed in various ways. Some thought he (the speaker) should have had the portfolio of Education. He would say that the only thing that would please him more than the portfolio of Education was the portfolio he at present held. If his views on the land question were hostile to the other members of the Cabinet as Minister for Lands they would still be hostile as Minister for Education, or any other department. Prophecies were made of the trouble that would eventuate as a result of differences of views among the members of the Cabinet. Ho would show how much there was in that. No two men could be more opposed on the licensing question than Mr Millar and himself. When the Licensing Bill was brought down in a recent session Mr Millar and himself met together and arranged a conference upon a working compromise, the result being that the bill was evolved in an acceptable form and passed through the House. Tlia v t was an instance of legislation being effected by two men who were diametrically opposed on a subject. He had no hesitation in saying that the proposals in that bill were ae acceptable to 'the people of the colony as they were to th© House. (Applause.) The result was that the licensing question was put away to a period eight or ten years ahead. That bill effected an improvement in the licensing laws of the colony, and that improvement was brought about, by two men whom the public would say had not one idea in common. When men holding opposite views on a question met together and cam© down to a working agreement, they . could formulate a policy that would not only command the support of the House, but also the sympathy of the country. was the position tba't the Ward Administration would take up. He had heard of men who said that Mr McNab and Mr Fowlds would work against Mr Millar on the licensing question. Others said Mr Millar and Mr Fowlds would work against Mr McNab on the land question. Others, again, said that Mr McNab and Mr Millar would combine aeainCc Mr Fowlds on the question of taxation. That was imagination. In one* of the departments lie was taking over, that of Agriculture, there was an immense field for technical education. He felt his responsibility m taking ovei the two important departments of Lands and Agriculture, and no/matter how his aHministration resulted, he thought tW

would give him credit for not having any Sersonal or selfish motives to serve. Had e any desire to do that it would have been swept out of his thoughts by the opinion held in other -countries of this little country. In America our system of municipal control was referred to as "the New Zealand system —the best.” It was not "the Glasgow,” "the English, ’ or "the Australian” system, it was "the New Zealand.” In concluding, the Minister thanked his electorate for the continuous confidence that had enabled him to reach his present position. It was interesting to note that while he could have had Cabinet rank in 1902, and refused it, yet in 1905 sections of the press stated that he subordinated every political principle in order to get into Cabinet rank. He was the only member of the present Legislature who had refused a portfolio. (Applause.) It was something in favour of Otago that in an Executive Council of eight it should have 'three representatives, and also’ to the credit of Southland that it should have two.

MR MILLAR ENTERTAINED

DUNEDIN’S CONGRATULATIONS. DUNEDIN, August 14. A complimentary "social” was tendered to the Hon. J. A. Millar to-night in honour of his appointment to be a member of the Cabinet. The hall was crowded with an audience of ladies and gentlemen representing all classes of the community. On the walls a number of cards were hung giving an epitome of Mr Millar’s career. These read as follows:—lß7l,apprenticed to the sea; 1883, master mariner; 1887, secretary Federated Seamens Union; 1893, entered Parliament; 1906, Minister of the Crown. The Mayor (Mr G. Lawrence) presided. Telegrams of a felicitous nature were read from the Premier and from the Hon. R. McNab and a number of o'cher public men. ’ v The toast of the evening was proposed by the Mayor, who said the large audience present showed that the people of Dunedin recognised Mr Millar’s work. <&nd that his promotion to the Cabinet was deservedly earned. Mr Millar had always devoted himself to the dnties devolving upon him as a member of Parliament, and he (the Mayor) was of opinion that if he went on in the manner he was doing Mr Millar would earn for himself an honour even higher than that to which he had now attained. As Mayer of Dunedin, he desired to congratulate Mr Millar and 'to wish him success in his new position. Ihe Mayor then presented Mr Millar with an illuminated address, couched in complimentary terms. The toartt was drunk amid great cheering, which wias resumed when Mr Millar rose to reply. In thanking the citizens for 'the warm reception accorded him on the occasion of his first appearance in Dunedin after the great honour conferred upon him, Mr Millar said the warm hand-grips and the congratulations he had received since the announcement was made showed tha't there were compensations in public life. He especially appreciated the presence there that night of Messrs James Allen and Donald Reid, M.H.R. s. who though politically opposed- to him’ had not forgotten to do him honour. The citizens of Dunedin had been most kind to him, and he specially thanked, too, the electors of Chalmers, the electorate which gave him hie first start in politics. If he had one regret at accepting his. new position it was because he would be away a good deal from Dunedin, where he had lived since 1870, and where he had so many friends, not only in labour circles, but also in the commercial classes. (Applause.) He recognised the responsibility devolving upon him in his new position. Recognising, however, that all classes were dependent on each other he would endeavour to act in the best interests of all. In the departments over which he had control he did not expect to revolutionise things, but he would endeavour to administer them to the best oi his ability,and effect improvements,if possible, wherever he saw any were sarv It was not his intention to talk fifties tkat Bight Until the Prejmer announced what the policy of the Got emment would be he had no rj e ht t refer to it. He could safely say this: That the lines to be adopted would be those of steady progress and of endeavouring to husband the finance the colony, and of bringing m such legislation as might be to the advantage of the colony. Judging from what had been said it was the intention of the country to give the new Mmistij a inn trial. If they did no'c justify themselves he felt'sure they would not desire to hold on. to the benches In concluding he desired to say that the .call to tee Cabinet was quite unsolicited. He had never asked either the late Pi emier or Sir J. G. Ward for anything for himself. A number of other toasts were proposed and honoured during the evening. The proceedings throughout were very hearty.

MR FOWLDS AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, August 14. The Hon. Mr Fowlds was publicly welcomed by the Mayor' and a large gathering of citizens on his arrival here from the South. In acknowledging his reception, Mr Fowlds said he was grateful for the way in which his appointment had been received, and for the hearty approval which the country seemed to have given to the new Ministry. He believed they would endeavour to carry out their duty on a high plane, and would give their best services in the interests of the colony. AUCKLAND, August 15. A large audience filled the Choral Hall to-night for the public welcome to the Hon G. Fowlds, Minister for Education. Several eulogistic addresses were given by citizens, and Mr Fowlds. upon rising to reply, was received with loud cheering. the audience standing.

Mr Fowlds said he would be something less than human were he not deeply moved at the very cordial and magnificent reception that he had received. He would like to say in connection with Messrs Mills and Duncan that they had given the best services they could to the colony. They had shown their loyalty and devotion to principles of party and the interests of ■ the colony. (Applause.) With regard to the new Premier, it seemed to him that Sir Joseph Ward had won the admiration of the colony by the prompt and business-like way in which he had taken hold of the reins of government upon his return, and, while it would be impossible for Sir Joseph to please everybody in the selection of a Cabinet, yet he (the speaker) believed that thnmghout the colony there was a general feeling of satisfaction at the choice the Premier had made; but he was the one singled out for criticism. He believed the whole criticism had been levelled at him. He had no fault to find with that fact, and he looked upon it ae a very high testimonial indeed, because of any objections that had been made there was none raised to his own character or capacity for the position. Criticism had been solely confined to one out of many opinions he held on the political questions that were before the people. If the only objection that could bo raised to the new Government was that one member held an opinion that was not held by the majority of the people then tiro Government coAild go on its way rejoicing. In accepting his present position, he (Mr Fowlds) did so with loyalty to the Premier, and intended to devote his service to the country to his best ability. The speaker looked forward with a great deal of hope to the future. It had been wisely decided that the policy speech of the Government should be addressed to the people in the presence of Parliament. He quite recognised that his colleagues were not sin-gle-taxers, and that the policy of the the new Government would not be single tax, but he saw no reason why, agreeing with them, as lie believed he did on many great and important questions, he should have withheld himself from the service of the country because they would not agree to go ae far as he would. (Applause.) He recognised they would not go exactly where he wanted to go, but they were going to do a great deal he believed to be in the best interests of the people, and in doing that he meant to give them the best help he could. He had no intention of trying surreptitiously to advance the political ideas he held. He believed the principles he had referred to were too large to be benefited by any such attempt. He believed that the special desire of the country at present was not for any revolutionary policy, and when the policy of the new Government was announced, it would be found to be soundly progressive without being revolutionary.