LIBERAL PICNIC AT MASTERTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4870, 23 January 1903, Page 5

LIBERAL PICNIC AT MASTERTON.

PRESENTATIONS TO THE PREMIER AND -Mil HOGG, M.H.R. la delightful weather tho picnic organised by the Liberals of Masterton was held yesterday. Tlio event inis made the occasion of presentations to tho Premier by tiio Maoris of the \\'airarapa district, and to Jlr A. \V . Hogg, M.H.R., by his constituents. Mr Soddou, Miss Seddon, Mr and Mrs F. Dyer and Miss Mills travelled to Masterton by tho morning train from Wellington, being joined on tho tvay by the Hon. Janies Carroll, Native Minister.

On arrival at Masterton the visitors tvero received by the local committee, Mr Hogg, M.H.K ~ and Tamabau Mahupnku and Capt. Ttmniarangi representing tlie natives of tho district. Tho party then drove to the Oval, tvheie tho proceedings took place. At tho entrance to the park the Premier was greeted by a Maori powhiri, which was performed l\v a party of natives equipped with their ancient war paint and regalia. This particular form of reception is tho orthodox native method of welcoming distinguished visitors, and was gone through with a heartiness and zest it would be difficult to excel. Luncheon was then partaken of, after which tho more important part of tho programme was proceeded with. There was a largo attendance of the public of hath races when tho Mayor of Masterton (Mr P. L. Hoiliugs), accompanied by tho others interested, ascended the platform to introduce tho business of tho day. A X>oi dance was first given by a number of young Maori girls. The .Mayor said he had been asked by tho committee to perform one cf the principal functions of tho day-—to present their worthy member, Mr A. W. Hogg, with a token of appreciation from his constituents; and when ho said bis constituents, ho wished them to understand he meant not only those who wore supporting tho Government, but the people of tho Masterton district generally. (Applause.) Many of Mr Hogg’s political opponents had joined in the presentation about to bo made. They had in him an ideal member, of whom they, might all feel proud, because be was sensitive not only to the interests of those who supported him, hut to the interests cf tho community at large. (Applause.) He bad managed to do what very few political men succeeded in doing—to' please everybody—and he was ono of those lucky men who had very few real enemies. Ho (tlio 3-3 ay or) had much pleasure in handing to their member a gold watch, suitably inscribed, as a token of esteem and respect from his constituents. They hoped 1 h. would never go too fast, and for heaven s sake not go too slow. (Laughter and applause). Mr Hogg, in replying, assured them that ho would value and preserve the handsome keepsake, and wear it next his heart, so that at all times and under every'circumstance ho should not forget tho people to whom ho owed the proud and honourable position which he occupied. . Ho bad never been very much of a partisan, and that was why ho had won so much of tho esteom of his constituents. (Applause.) In one respeot that gathering was unique, masmuoh as he believed it was tho nrso public picnic that had been given to any representative in the New Zealand Parliament. He did not bolioyc ho bad ever yet been a parly politician. Xiis creed bad been the one broad creed—the weifaro of his follow beings, not only in Masterton, but throughout the colony. (Applause.) His policy was ‘ the oreastest good for tho grcatc.su nuinhci, and although they might differ on religious, political or social topics, that was no reason why they should ho the worse friends. ' No matter what_ people might think of the class of legislation they had introduced, ho was proud to think that tho colony was in a vastly different position from tho time wiien ho first appeared as their representative. (Apx>lause.) Ho hox>ed in the future, whe’ther ho was a supporter of tho Government, or not —he had never been askod by his constituents to pledge himself to any party—that ho would always ho found on tho winning side, because it was there a representative could do tho best and most effective work for his constituents. (Applause.) There wore many points on which he and tho Government entirely differed with regard to legislation and administration. He did not want to soe any political railways constructed and tho people’s money thrown away, and he had denounced, and would continue to denounce, their huge military expenditure —apart from volunteers and riflo clubs. (Applause.) Tho brigade ho believed in was tho pick-and-shovel, axe-and-slasher brigade ; that was what was bringing tho country to 1 tho front. He hoped that tho great tragedy enacted in the South Island some years ago was not going to bo. repeated in the North, and that the land would not bo allowed to pass into tho hands of hand-sharks and money-lenders. Ho would liko to seo tho Government cultivate some of tho backbone they had some years ago; and if there was one thing more necessary than another it was "local government reform, so that every man and woman should bo placed in the same position 'Mth regard to local politics as to party politics. Ho thanked tho Premier and-the Hon. J. Carroll for their attendance, also tho MAyor and members 01 tho Presentation Committee, as well as tho ladies who had worked so assiduously. It was a hopeful augury for tho future that tho x>eoplo were taking more interest in politics than over. It shoved that their inclinations and hearts were in t.io rjo-ht direction, and that they were determined to maintain the prestige of this country as tho most go-ahead colony in me Empire. (Applause). At tho conclusion of bis speech three, cheers were given for Mr Hogg and three'more for tho Mayor. Tho Maori presentation to the premier took tho sbapa cf a fcanasmno greenstone mere, suitably engraved, and mat. Tho chiefs and headmen present were—Tamabau Mahupuku, jamwhiao To Tan, Tunuiarangi, Kmgi Ngatuere and Hori To Huki Kahn. The presentation was made by the lastmentioned in ono of those earnest and figurative addresses characteristic o> the Maoris. Tho speaker wished long life and prosperity to the Premier and Ministry, as well as all the principal participants in the day’s function. Ho paid a tribute to Mr Seddon s beneficent administration in seeking the welfare of both pakeha and Maori, and concluded by wishing prosperity to both. Mr Charles Parata acted as interpreter. Tho Premier, in reply, expressed the pleasure it afforded him to he present with them, and to receive such a proof of their good-will. The blending of both races at that pleasant gathering must bo cheering to all time lovers of their country. Tho only anxiety of Europeans towards-the natives was to preserve them, and make their state as happy as they themselves enjoyed. (Ax>plaus'e.) Tho present desirable relations between tho two peoples were not brought about bv tho magician’s wand, but by studiously working to prove to the native race that we earnestly de-

sired their welfare, and that if they looked to tho Government and to Parliament they would have tlicir wrongs redressed. (Applause.) Having eulogised tho work done by the Hon James Carroll in regard to ihe Maori people, and referred 10 his own fornier dealings with the chieftain Kcroni —on his first visit to the L’rowcra country, when ho had the taiaha, or emblem of authority cf tho tribe conferred upon him—tho Premier proceeded to address himself to tho European portion of the audience. Ho said ho had listened with delight to tho remarks of Mr Hogg, and tlio announcement that ho was not a party man was nothing new to hear. Ho (tho Premier) had the pleasant consolation of knowing that Mr Hogg had never given a voto outside his party as long as lie had known him. (Laughter and axiplauac.l Ho was xilcased to learn that many who did not agree with Mr Hogg lu polities had subscribed to his presentation, as by so doing they to some extent redressed tho wrong dono by voting against him. Ho believed that if a man was straight—no matter what party ho belonged to—there was always a desire to do him honour and justice. (Applause.) He was glad to find there were those in that district ‘ not animated by Jlic bitterness ho found in other places simply because they differed on public grounds and public questions. lie had for a long timo impressed on tho xieoplo of tho colony tho principle of fighting their political battles, being truo to their principles and convictions, but never to descend to personal animosity or bitterness, or a desire to injure each other. (Applause.) Ho was glad to find now, after ten years of office, that tho bitterness that existed for some years had worn away, and that ho could now go into any community and meet people holding diverse views in pe-!ititw, hut who had a respect: for their Prime Minister personally. The country to-day occulted a position of prosperity unequalled and un|iaral!elcd in tho British Empire. And the outlook was cheering in tho extreme. With wool increasing in value and xiricc, with wheat at 5s a 1 usliol, and a bountiful harvest almost ensured, with demands for butter and chcoso they were unable to supply, the-/ could regard tho outlook, and feel that they had a bright prospect before them. (Applause.) They could realise, ho hoped, that this was not merely temporarv prosperity. Seven years ago they were told that prosperity was gradually hut surely going from them — that it would only last for a yea'r,_ and that they must look for had times. That was seven years ago, and, as far as ho could sco, by tho exercise of caro and ability in public expenditure, by a progressive i>olicy and legislation, by tho settlement of Crown lands on fair terms to the people, by opening up tho country, reading tho back-blocks, giving settlers an opportunity of bringing tlicir xirodneo to market on the host and cbeapicst terms, by cheap railway faros, cheap shipments to tho markets of tho world —with this boforo them, a.nd the land they had, and tho grandest climate man could enjoy—there was no danger to this country, and they had every reason to look forward to, if anything, increased proslierity. (Applause.) There were larger questions altogether apart from those or their own colony, but in which they were deeply interested. Ho alluded to the subjects of Imperial federation, binding together tho heart of tho country hero over tho seas with tho Mother Country. Where did their thoughts go at Cliri’stmas and Now Year’s timo, par. ticularly ? They flow to the land from which they or their fathers came,,and trouble to the Mother Country meant trouble to New Zealand. He could assure them, after Ids recent visit there, that there was a great and deep love for the pt-Cjde of this colony; and to bo a- New Zealander meant to bo honoured and have a very hospitality showered upon yon,. Our prosperity made them rejoice at''Homo, and as in their adversity wo stood by them, now if they could possibly show how they could help us, that help would he cheerfully rendered. (Applause.) Ho would say nothing more than that from this forward wc must endeavour to bring this Imperial federation to a successful issue. Small things helped to achieve great ones later on. He had no doubt "they were xdcascd to read in the pax>ors, some days before, that in future all contracts required for tho Imperial Army or Navy in tho lino of pro-duce-meat, cheese, butter—were to bo obtained from the colonies. _At the present timo Mr Hogarth was in New land 'on behalf of tho Admiralty, going around to ascertain what the capabilities were for supplying tho navy on the Australian, Indian and China stations. In respect to these details they had a great improvement to that, which previously, obtained. And when ho wont through their district and looked back to tho condition of things a few years agoleaving poll 1 ics out of the question——claiming no credit whatever—he did. say that something had taken place to cause a great improvement and give greater facilities 'to the people of Mastorton district. (Applause.) And there would ho still further improvements in that respect. Ho was delighted to hoar their member vow that day that ho would never again ask the Government for a road or a bridge. He wa« endowed with a pretty long memory, and lie imped he understood their member to promise that he had withdrawn, from urging the narrow-gauge railway that was to go at the hack of the present lino and connect at Dannevirke. (Laughter.) When he returned to Wellington, and told the happy position in which the mind of their member was, there would bo great relief in the minds of the Minister for Public Works and the Minister for Lands. (Renewed laughter.) It was tho djuty of the Government to do what was required to develop the resources of the country, irrespective of party, principally by placing people on the land, by in improving their products and placing them fairly on the markets of the world. That was what had done a good deal to bring about the present prosperity, and there would bo no deviation." Tho people of the colony had eiven their verdict, and it should bo well and carefully carried out by him and his colleagues. In doing so they desired the assistance of every member of tlio community. (Applause.) Taiarrhiao Tc Tau next presented Mr Hogg with a mat as an indication of tho regard in which he is held by the natives of the Wairarapa. Tho gift was cotitgvpcl in a tasteful speech und suitahlv acknowledged. At the Premier’s call three cheers ■wore given for the natives, and tare* more for the Mayor. A final three for Mr Seddon wore also called for and lustily responded to. The natives next went through a baka. and selections were subsequently played by the Municinal Brass Band. It is intended to make the picnic an annual affair.