BANQUET AT EASTERN BOSH TO MR M. GILFEDDER, M.H.R.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11937, 10 January 1901, Page 2

BANQUET AT EASTERN BOSH TO MR M. GILFEDDER, M.H.R.

Oil Monday evening a banquet was tendered Mr 31. Gilfedder, M.H.R., by the settlers of Eastern Bush. Mr W. Dariey occupied the chair, and among those present were the Hon. Hall-Jones and residents from Otautau to Blackmount. After the toasts of " The CJueen " and " Army, Navy, and Volunteers," Mr Findlay proposed "The New Zealand Government." The Minister of Publio Works, in reply, said that each excursion he made into the country convinced him it was right for Ministers to travel, on account of the information to be gleaned. He did no) hold that all the prosperity of the presenl day was due to the Government; but"maintained that their legislation had very considerably assisted the present prosperity in. ■ tho colony. The lands for settlement, cheap money, old-age pensions, universal penny postago were all measures which any, country might be proud of, and were being copied by other countries. Personally, he was against Federation: but tho commission now appointed will carefully weigh the pros and cons and report. Ho had been pleased to learn of the good ctais of land between Lako Maiiapouri and Eastern Bush, and he had no hesitation in saying that the time was not far distant when a branch line from the Nightcaps line would be commenced to the lakes. Telephonic communication, at all events, would soon be extended from Eastern Bush to the lakes. The electors of Wallace were fortunate in having such a consistent worker for their electorate as their present member. Until ho (llr Gilfedder) got his requests granted he would give no Minister any peace. In_ conclusion, he said he looked forward to being in the electorate again, when he would spend a few days with them.—(Applause.) Mr Jame3 King proposed "The Guest of the Evening," and in doing so lie eulogised Mr Gilfedder's work since he had been their member.

Mr Gilfedder said that to be banqueted in his opponent's stronghold at the last election was a. pleasant surprise to him, and it proved to him that though many had voted against him they were abje to sink their party feelings and help him in the work of administering to the welfare of the electorate. He was a staunch supporter of the Government,which, by their progressive reforms, were making New Zealand the brightest diadem in, the universe. For the benefit of agriculturists and pnstoralists he was a strong advocate for the opening of direct trade with South Africa, and now that the Government were subsidising the steamers he hoped that tho farmers would support the move by shipping to that market. He was glad that'the Hon. Mr HallJones had found it convenient to be present that evening, as it was to him that the district was indebted for 6ome of the large votes. Wallace was one of the largest electorates in New Zealand, and there being practically no community of interests it considerably handicapped his efforts to do his duty to all places and persons in the electorate. From the first he had advocated a railway through Eastern Bush to Manapouri and Te Anau. At present the settlers around Eastern Bush had no encouragement to grow grain on account of tho lengthy /haulage. The scenery of. the two fakes ahead of them was already becoming well known all the world over as the finest lake scenery in the world, and ho now had hope that the time was not far distant when a line would be made through which would bring Te Anau and Manapouri within easy access of tourists. Seeing the Minister of Public Works had now personally experienced the inconvenience of being shut off from the outer world while in the lakes district, he had no doubt that when ho made the next application for telephonic communication Mr Hall-Jones would give it his sanction. He then eulogised the progressive measures of the present Administration at some length, and promised the audience that so long as he was their representative he would do his best for them. ' He was against Federation, as he considered Australia would only produce sufficient to supply home wants, and if they still wanted oats, kc, they would havo to come our way. Thanking those present for the banquet, he said ho hoped the next time he was witli them they would be gathered together on the occasion of the turning of the first sod of the Olautnu and Eastern Bush railway.— (Apnlause.) The other toasts were " Agricultural and Pastoral Interests," " Local Bodies," "The "Visitors." "Tho Ladies," "The Press," and 'The Chairman." On Friday Mr Gilfedder, accompanied by the Hon. Sir Hall-Jones, inspects the Merrivalo settlement, and drives down the Waiau Valley and on to Orepuki. In the evening the Hon. Mr Hall-Jones is to be banqueted in Invercargill.