THE NEW ZEALAND PINNER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12414, 25 July 1902, Page 2

THE NEW ZEALAND PINNER.

A RECORD ATTENDANCE. ENTHUSIASTIC AVELCOME OF MR SEDDON. ,

(Frose Oun Off.V COHIIESr-OXDEXT.) LONDON', June 21. Tho second of (ho three great colonial assemblages arranged for this hard-worked week—lho annual New Zealand Dinnertook place- on Tuesday evening in the King's Hall of the famous Holhorn Restaurant. There was an absolute record in the wny of attendance at this sixth in succession of these annual functions, originated through Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.H.R., several year* ago, the guests numbering some 400. including the representatives of tho British and colonial press. This large company was grouped at a. high table which accommodated 44 beside the chairman, and al nino cross tables, each taking from 30 to 35 diners. Of flic decorations of tho hall, it may bo said that they were tasteful mul appropriate; and of tho arrangements, that 'they wore in the hands of Mr H. C. Cameron, as l\on. secretary, which is as much as stating that they wore as admirable as possible. Appropriately a haunch of New Zealand lamb occupied the principal position on tho menu. A good band was provided, which performed agreeable music during tho evening. Many New Zealand ladies now in London having expressed a strong desiro to ■behold the haka, which was announced to be danced by the Coronation Maori soldiers, arrangement? had been made to open the galleries for lady 7 visitors at a charge of 2s 6d per head, including light refreshments. However, failing tho arrival in time of tho Maori .troopers the haka had to be abandoned, it being found impracticable to induce a troupe of pakohas' to act as arti-ficially-browned substitute!'. Nevertheless, tho ladies still wished to be present, if only to see their lords fend and listen to their po3t-praiulial eloquence. Ho a considerable number attended, among whom I noticed Mrß Sedd'on, Mrs ,T. 1). Whyte, Mrs RousMarten, Mrs Maruson, Mrs Oat-way, Mrs D. Crowe, Mrs .). Kirk-ley Campbell, Mrs Danby, Mrs .T. tiro-ham Gow, Mrs Nelson George. Mrs Percy Adams, the •M'ssos »Seddon, E. Danby, A. Evans, M. Evans, A. /iman, L. Halse, Gow, F. Hope, Seymour Phonic George. Mr W. Pember Reeves, as Agent-general for New Zealand, presided at tho high table. At his right band sat the guest of the evening, Mr Seddon; on his left Lord Onslow, Undor-Secretary of State for Hie Colonies. On Mr Seddon's other side sat Lord Strath-c-ona, and next to Lord Onslow was a South African potentate, the Kitikiro of Uganda. Tho other occupants <if the. high table were: Sir Edwyn Dawes, Sir Walter Bullor, Sir Westby Porceval, Sir Hora.ce Sir Fortescne F'anncry, Colonel R. Williams, M.P., Lieutenant-colonel Porter, Llouten-ant-colonol Somerville, Lieutenant-colonel Montagu Cradcck. C.8., Lieutenant-colonel Willoughby Wallace. Chrdain Seddon, Colonel Denison, Colonel ' Denny, M.P., Colonel Penton, Major Bauchop, Captain Hobart, Sir Alfred S. Haslam, M.P., Mr Walter Keimaway. Mr ,7. Cathcart Waeon. M.P.. Mr K. li. Hnklano, K. 0., M.P., the Hon. A. Dobson, the Hon. E. B. Lefroy, Mr Edward Pearce, Mr Richard Oliver, Mr J. L. Wank'lyn. M.P., Mr Alexander Cros3, M.P., Mr K. T. Doxat, Mr Walter Savill. Mr Russell Ren, M.P., Mr .T. H. Wall, Mr John Petfio, Mr John Leslie, Mr H. A. Grainger, and Mr C. A. Pearson. The list- of general guests, in addition to the official representatives of the various newspapers, English and colonial, wan as follows:—Tho Eev. Leonard M. Isitt. the Rev. Lvttelton FitzGerald, tho .Rev. J. O. Train, the Rev. AV. Springett, Captain Wilpon (Board of Trade), Colonel Stebbing, Major Nelson George, Lieutenant-colonel Harding, Surgeon-captain Neil, Captain M'Kirdy, R.N.R., Captain Burton, Sir E. Montague Nelson, Sir Walter Foster. M.P., Sir ,T. H. Maxwell, Bart., Captain Crutchley, R.N.R., Sir R. Nicholson, Dr Hocken, Dr Carter, Dr Ewart, Dr Arklo. Dr W. V Robinson, Dr H. R, Hogg, Dr T, Hone. Lewis, Dr Watson, Dr Myers, Dr Henry Belfragge. Dr Lennox Browne, Dr J. (j. Findlay, LL,D., Dr Haines, Captain firogan, Mr George Beetham, Mr Henry Mackenzie, Mr J. A. Potter, Mr John Alexander, Mr W. Weddel, Mr W. letldhain Crow, Mr Wolf Harris, Mr O, R, Strickland, Mr "Ernest Bell, Mr Charles Pharazvn, Mr Richard Maxwell, Mr F. A. Anson, Mr J. H Baker, fth- T.- Hamer, Mr W. Dymock, Mr Robert Galloway. Mr W. J. Galloway. Mr .Tames Baxter, Mr 0. H. Inglis, Mr N. \ Nathan, Mr L. J. Nathan, Mr M. ,T. Nathan Mr C. R. Togctnicicr, Mr W. Acton Adams, Mr J, B. Whyte, Mr George Goodsir, Mr A. S. Otterson, Mr E. J. Goodsir, Mr Arthur S. Ehvorthy. Mv J. E. Davenport, Mr J. F. Studholmo, Mr Seymour Thomo George, Mr T. Brassoy, Mr S. Boyd Browning, Mr Azim Birch, Mr Thomas S. Culling, Mr A. S Tatorson, Mr A. Hill Jack, Mr G. H. Oatway. Mr Guy Johnston. Mr J, ,1. O'Brien, Mr- 0. Sponcer Booth. Mr J. P. Firth. Mr A* S- Danby, Mr J. R. Cossar, Mr J. Kilgour,' Mr W. A. Izard, Mr James Bull, Mr <T. M. Dowsett, Mr T. Roan Burtt, Mr William Young, Mr George Watson. Mr R. D.mlop, Mr W. T. Holmes. Mr E. Hindlo Smith, Mr George Callender, Mr G. Dnnnetl, Mr N. W. Edwards, Mr J. Chynoweth, Mr T. E. Taylor, Mr Alfred Gilbert, Mr L. H. Nathan, Mr Leonard Welstead, Mr J. Stndholme, Mr Charles Balmo. Mr "\V. A. Willes, Mr S Lowe, Mr O. ,1. Cowan. Mr A. M. Woolf, Mr Frank Lyons, Mr 0. R. Valentine, Mr John Holmes, Mr J. Kirklcy Campbell, MiFrank Hymns, Mr W. ]?. Edmond. Mv Eliot \Varburtnn, Mr J. W'igmoro, Mr A. R. Wigmoro. Mr D. Crewe, Mr J. M. Alaclaren Mr J. F. Tasker, Mr V. G. Bronhead. Mr Y\ alter Hope. Mr David Ziman, Mr Allison Sinilh, Mr J. Atki'n, Mr William Murray, Mr J, W. Cossar. Mr E. M. Ennnawav, Mr Walter Hislop, Mr Stafford BanFomo, Mr W. J. Ellis. Air W. T. Harlrid R e, Mr 11. D Dalgleish, Mr D. W. Enalaml, Mr Philip Bayer. Mr T. W. Robertson, Mr MTvor, Mr F. Ross. Mr Colman Cantor. Mr .Tudiah Myers, Air Alex. Myers, Mr Louis. Lyons, Mr J. Batger, Mr J. IT. Lnughnan, Air E. I. Cook. Mr W. Friedlander, Air Hu<*o Fncdlandcr, Air W. 0. Watson. Mr Otto M. Strauss, Mr C. Ranson, Arr Ernest Baynos, Mr George Oowie. Air Owen Jones Mr Julius Togo!, Mr W. B. Thompson, Captain Charles Wood, Air H. H. Mr ! Ellis J. Griffith, ALP., Air G. Grey' Russell, j Mr (~ G. RnsHl, j,,,,.. Mr J. A. Ewen, Mr Herbert ATobb, .Mr E. R. Webster, Mr W. S. Allen, Air Anton Bertram, Air Alarriot Watson, Air H. C. Sleis.h, Air W. P Wincott Mr J. J. Virkars, Afr J. Barclay, Mr H. D. Tvsrv, Mr AV. 11. Tyser, Air AV A. Porter, Air T. B. Proctor. Mr J. A Allen. Air E. J. Alnrsh, Air W. M. Waller, Mr 0. J. Marsh, Mr A. G. Low. Air G. Cunningham, Ah- S. Niveson, Air J. CookMr C. Hurst, Arr R. V. Cooner, 'Mv C, T Newton Mr-W. C. Rohison, Air Douejns Cook Mv AV. AV. Paine, Afr Robert Niveson, Mr H. A. Johnson; Mr F. AV. Bunting, Mr J. K. Anderson. Air B. Trinder, Air ,T. Caird Mr A. Richardson, Afr H. A'aughan, S' ,L H : Jg}*l- »'' S. 'Lyon, Air H, C. Wilson, Mr W. W. Clayton, Mr AV. Beeson, t w\?-J, ,ou,as ' Mr W. B. Daniels, Afr J. W Al'Alilkm Afr A. C. MacCheane, Mr G Atkinson, Mr 11. H. Benjamin. Air J.! Feldhenn, Mr Philip Bayer, Air J. MaeWhirfrr, M r E. AV. Thomas, Mv W. J. Kcmnsnn. I ™ T homp-nn. AT- T. Jt. AVilk;,,s, Afr H. I Hayman, Air G. T. Hayeroft, Air A. Kid- i mm. Mr II J. Tweedy. Air A. AV. Pot- ! hnger, Mr G. WoM-r. Arr 11. Woodlev, | Mr A. S Ginger, Air F. Knowles, Air J. : Cranm, Mr G. T, King,' Air S. T. Bntlev, ' Mr G. H. Jones. Air A. Wnrkins. Air E I A. Jones Air J. J. Bell, Air AV. J. Roberts,' ■ Mr D. Aran.., Mr T, A. Nicol, Air H. E. Haves, Mr J C'nmhell. Mr A. Ginger. Air C laylor, Mr J ArmflcM, Mr J. Gardner, I'ox. Air C. Alereer. Air A. L FoM". 1 Arr R. R Di.vi s Air J. Smith, Air tl. J. Tinderwood. Mr 8. TL Fmlr-nvood, Mr L P Christeson. Mr W. C. Orde, Mv J. M.inro'.

»r \\. Young. ATr FT. Macdonold. Atr .1 !•. Jones. Air P. 0. Hws, Mr \. Mi; P. Rvyant. Mr S. WalW, Mr W. ■ Craip. M.- 0 II Gordon. Mr R. 0. I n ri Vr '' £ , M '' v ° lm > Mr W. H. Camp■"ll. Mr P. TJ. l?nliiii?nn. Mr T. 11. Lnwrv '■• It. R. W-. Mr (J. 11. Mr A I'-'rqiihar. Mr C. P. Moor.-, Mr -T. Bvaiukv, Mr 1< ft. 0. Cummins. Mr 11. 0. Oimoron, Mr W. Rolhernm. Mr T. Adams, Mr ,1 S dn Boor Mr ,T. Jwars, Mr P. 0. Bonnie Mr .1. Howiml. Air A. P. Rorniril. Mr .7 Andrews. Mr ,T. Pnievson. Mr T. A. Rirltnrdson. Mv P. C. W. Oldham. Mr H. A T „ T.ift. Mr P. W. R-unUm, Mr R. P. S. St John. Mr P. IT. find*!], Mr P. T. God.wl, Mr W. \V. Brown. Mr P. ("otirrtl, Mr J M. Dowi.rH. Mr T). (J. Miller, Mr R, I* Tlmmmon. Mr R. (.'. Polui. Mr R. Thomii;on. Mr C. R. Jiune*. Mr H. Johnson. Mr I'. Moiidp], Mr P. A. Tailmm. Mr 11. A. Johns Mr T,.. AF'Kelvie. Mr ,T. Patmson -Mr Prno?l: Collins. Mr A. IF. Ru??ell, Mr I'.. V. P. AYoodroflV Air 11. Woodward, Mr R. Praiu, AFr A. 0. Oarrick, Mr W. 0. Dawes, and Air R. Dawn?.

As In the speeches generally. I may remark that tli"ir avenge merit was distinctly high. Mr Sodilon. nf pniiTSP. made a miiFi vigorous and powerful oralion, which ••lii-ited si-eat ih only wcnk l-'oint being his exposition of some archaic

axionis as to political economy, which were received with a touch of derision. But his patriotic Imperialism caught his hearers' lancy exactly, and he was extremely happy in many of his "hits" and allusion?. The speech lasted one hour all but three minute's! Lord Onslow, too, made an excellent speech very clearly enunciated. So did Mr Reeves and Air Balfoiie, M.V., hut the voice of the former did not seem to "carry" so well as usual, therefore a'good deal of a very clewr .«p?cch was mi=-:<v.l. wln'> the buzji of conversation at 11 p.m. rendered Air Haklaue virtually inaudible from where I sat—which I murh regretted, - as he is % capital speaker. Colonel Cradock had a tremendous reception. It was not till nearly 11.30 p.m. that the proceedings terminated. After dinner, the Chairman, in proposing the of "The King," said there was I no need to preface the toa?t at any gather- ; ing of New Zealander? and their friends.-- , (Hear, hear.) The toast having ben . honoured and the National Anthem sung. the Chairman gave the toast of "Her ' Majesty Queeu Alexandra, tho Prince and ■ Princess of Walts, and the other members of the Royal Family." This toast was also honoured with the singing of the National Anthem and " God bless the Prince of Wales." Jlr E. T. Doxat proposed "The Imperial Forces," complimenting the colonial troops in llie'ficld who had spontaneously come to the aid of the Mother Country. Lieutenant-colonel Alontagu Cradock, C.8., who responded, said lie was an ex-Imperial officer and_ also a colonial officer. Ho was with tho New Zealandors during 15 months in South Africa, and had tho honour of commanding the Second- New Zealand Contingent during the whole of the operations they took part in.—(Applause.) He thought New Zealand had shown a splondid example of patriotism to all the other colonies. Tho last, three years had taught- the whole world a lesson which it would never forget.— (Applause.) The Earl of Onslow proposed "Continued Prosperity to New Zealand" in a happy speech. Ho said he was not going to speak j so much about the. colony as about the genj lleman whose name he was about to couple | with the toast, a distinguished Imperial ; statesman, tho Right Hon. Richard Seddon, , I rime Minister of New Zealand. Ho went I on to refer to the fact that Air Seddon some : years ago did him the honour of presenting ; him with a. pin, which he always wore, made , rom a little piece of gold, part of the first which Air Seddon had raised with his own hands as a gold miner. Lord Onslow then : went on to toll a little story concerning a : tour he had made of the West Coast of ■ New Zealand with Air Seddon. u an illusi i£n\t ™,] ,0 l ) >'. lw , it y and the esteem in I which Air Seddon is hold by those rough, good-hearted miners who live upon the West Coast of New Zealand. Ho went on to fpeak of I he late Mr Ballance and Mr feddons other collr ft g HOR . Turning to what ftow ZoMlid had done to assist in South A.riea, Lord Onslo W said: I find that England .font 315,000 men to South Africa unit- W 1 ?'" 1 ' in Potion to her population, would have contributed on that scale not !e SS than 350,000 men-actually Sr? Bn /ri Mnt , ra ? ted h * fche Mother . Oountiy.-Applause.) I am not going, ««,. fe e 7» t ?- ,,, . Bfitn , t0 anj ' c ™l~s between Acw Zealand and any other colonics. All I my is that New Zealand in this war has borne her share- of the burden equally, ave am greater than tho Mother Country E appose),-and I think Mr /eddon ».V no means tho Imt of what sho wns prepared to do.-(Hear, hear.) I belief New 9Wi °"i e Ship th . a J lcft the sh <"e 9 of ess th„n sn i" POn wl "* !l ,™ e 'o»nd not ie>s than 50 stowaways, who were not accepted „ part of the contingent InUwlm nevertheless,.fo„ n d their way out 0 Cll Africa, and many, if not all. of them were i timately enrolled in the, fighting %Z ~ lApplanse.) Lord onfW hav? refenel o 0^ mi T a } G - mkm "* «"«' to the d h o. Queen Astoria, concluded an follows :-- thin"'. ? f 0, ! tlom ° n ', "•"'• , ' as d««> one tug, it has produced an indissoluble bond of.umty. SBa | Ql i by the blood of those from tins country from New Zealand, and °m our other colonies, whose bodie ie „n t W o parched veldt of South Africa, and in he day, to come the children of nW Zea hief Al7 n ' .f "4 tl,a * *™* Q»oen who'e chef iUniPter in New Zealand called unon , hf countrymen to fly to arms i*, "?2 i« need o retrieve and to main ain the 'feme" Y o;mnon 2 f Nw 7 coupled with the wyinn that the favourable romart-s l,v Lor 1 to the advanced legilatH, <>l -\ew Zealano. and then went on to refer n i ho P«»por.tr of New Zealand" became I h c 1 '°" Stl r\ ? ™n«nucd pmsperTty" and nun?]?/ ,J ;- H ° r ? f f rrod t0 th * Vn, and quoted fi R „ rN g ; v j n „. th , '. '» I Ports and export,, and .showing low h ? 9 oV o^-vT tCii ? s ,*w«tttlic success «k T • aml Act, tho remain of the chairman presiding over the fcmployecs' Conference:-"Wo know now hmg of the past, and for the time and durm the. currency of tho awards made by T, Q ' * C P nil » mn S?> Mr S.Mldon said--Je output of the factone., has in „ ed by c 0 per cent,, tho number of workers has ..creased by 28 pw . eeat% t])o f S winch factories are built by 52 per cent »nd the wages actually paid'by 62 per e-en " a 1104 ho ;„.e,n,er nosition of anv colony wain the British Empire. BrfmW to crimen the colony, Air Seddon saidf-Ifc *a> stated in our colony serious crime was In'" Ohiof Justice of 0 , country (Sir Robert Stout) I think yen tunity of removing the slnr that had been evervTnnT • * are thflt 01 " "f every 10,000 person? in the year 1890 the n MoT ° f Col , ,Vic( , io,,S ™ im "''>'' n J. 900 it was reduced to 26.15, or a reduekon of one.third.-(Hear, | iea , ■) No w yo, eo that tint legislation, wliich was though" to he of a somewhat aicialistip character at Iho time it was passed, has had a. most beneficial effect, and I might te.llU.Xt -at the present tune wo have- little crime in our colony we have no iraom-piovod, no poverty, and a free enlightened, and happy people. Many of them are hero at tho present moniont.-fLaughter and anplauso.T I wdl conc.ude my reference to New Zealand )J telling you there m room for many more: there is land for many more; there is liberty for all ,„ beautiful, prosperous, and loyal New Zealand.-Applause.) Air Seddon then ilea t at some length with the question of preferential -tariffs and the resolution for Uie conference he had given notice of in December W He quoted figures showing the trade of New Zealand and the value ot imports frcm America and Germany. He pointed to the difficulties in flic w j v of having Freolrade within tho Fmnire, and then went on:-I ask the question here now, W hat is there to prevent the Imperial Uovcrnmenfc taking from tho colonies tho=.-> supplies which they are in a position to provide, and giving to the colonies a prefermice m respect of (hose siipplios?—(Aj,plause.) I feel sure that tho result of this discussion will be for tho good of our Empire. The working men of New Zealand, •represeiitmcr trade- unionists, at their conference hed in Auckland, passed a resolution urging preference being given fo their •fellow workers in the Aether Country — Applause.) They will tell you thev do 'not fear their kindred in the Mother Country: ■then- trouble is in regard to tho underpaid and the long-worked men of other countries. I say, therefore, that when that feel'ing is eo prevalent throughout our colonioj. they fhould not be met with the cold shoulder. Wo have the traditional pride of our raei. We 3ay we are prepared to help; Ave shall offer and ask for nothing. If, on thp cthev hand, we arc met in the same spirit, and something can be given which .will ftrenpthen the colonies, 'that means strengthening the Empire. Afy view of (he, question is this, that some countries have been strengthened !>v our Empire and its trade. Time after lime you have gone on increasing your men-of-war and your war

expenditure to keep pace with other nations, and there is a good deal of British money paid to these nations, which hag put thorn' in the position of forcing yon to strengthen both your navy and your army.-(Applauso.) Mr Seddon then wont on to show what New Zealand had done in the way of assisting in South Africa, remarking:-We were told by a certain gentleman that the Uocr war would stagger humanity. I sw luimanity ha, been staggered, but in a different manner altogether.-(Hcar. hear.) L *™, became it has been demonstrated that from all parts of the Empire, wherever our grand Hag flies, wherever the same blood flows within the \cms, at the. Ml we-were all there, "R-adv aye, ready. A, farm my own colony wa concerned, we required no call at nil _ (Hear, hear.) Our aid and „„ r assistant were volunteered. As stated by the noble Earl in proposing the toast, relatively speaking our colony In., done a little bctter'tlnin he Mother Country UwH.-lHoar, hear! i say if more had been required more assistance would have been granted When the last 1000 men were askrll for m 5000 volunteered-(Applause.) As to the manner in which they have acquitted themselves that is a matter of history. Wo- must not' now that victory has attended our arms draw distinctions,. but we must say that .the mm of noble Canada, of Australia, and ol the Capo and Natal and those in' South Africa and the Mother Country have one and all upheld the best traditions of our race. Ihe result has been that the honour of the Empire has been vindicated. We must bring those who have differed wWi lis and who. havo fought „ s , within ll, e told. Wo must, surround thorn with that historic, glorious fold, covered by our Union Jack, under which they will feel probably a greater freedom and have greater opportunities than they have ever had before.(Hcar, hoar.) I want just for a moment to recall to your minds what I said when I was here in 1897. Speaking as a New Zoalancler, I said, " They had been told hv a famous historian that the time might come when the Now Zcalander would stand upon the ruins of London Bridge and muse upon the downfall of the Empire i\\ ho could say was that that historian was unaware that New Zealand would bo found i",, £ Vttn; tlmt if therfl ms *° be a downfall New Zealand would stand or fall with England. -(Applause.) There was no war 100, " th , f r- ca , t,,en - This WIU st "tcd in 1897, and I think every word of it has been fully vindicated and carried out by New /caland.-(Appkuse.) One word in 'enncliision. lou have heard a great deal about the bravery of the Boers. Wo all.admit that; but I say, "Do not'go too far mid extol them and-bring them to the position of martyrs.' They may take, and probably will take, quite another view of the position. I say let U3 be, in accordance with tho traditions of our race, generous—we have- been generous—but lot it stop at that. Do not forget tho loyal colonists in South Africa.—(Applause.) Think of what they have suffered. The noble-Lord stated that they wore going to bo compensated; that they would be treated even more generously than our foes. That gives me great delight, and I am sure it will bo read with delight by all .thronghoivi South Africa and within tho British Empire.—(Applause.) Your courtesy to-night has been paid more to the colony of New Zealand than to myself personally. I know you are sincere in wishing "Continued prosperity to, New Zealand." Let me say through New Zealand to all New Zonlamlcrs, no matter where they may be. we wish them " Kia-ora, kia-ora, ltia-ora."-(Applau;e;) The band played a verse of our New Zealand poet JWeken's New Zealand National Anthem. In the words -of that departed poet let me con-' elude: ' • God, all nations at Thy .feet, Here we now Thee entreat, God defend New Zealand.

—(Applause.) The Chairman proposed "Tho Visitors," and said he was not going to say nice things of Lord Onslow, becauso he declined to con; sidor his Lordship as meroly a guest at a gathering of Now Zealanders. They considered that they had captured -him,, and that ho.could never etcape from them; he was one of themselves. On a gonial occasion liko_this one .'was tempted to sink the mere official relationship, and one's thoughts naturally went back to tho first occasion on which -he saw Mr Soddon as n platform spoaker. It was many years ago, in the well-known city of Hokitika, in New Zealand. On that occasion he was strolling through the streets, and passed a public hall in which a meeting was going on. Ho heard through tho door a voice of considerable compass holding its own amid occasional interruptions.—(Laughter.) lie asked a bystander what was going o n, and the reply given was, "Oh, it is Dick Soddon having it out with them."—(Laughter.) Although young, ha (My Reeves)-, in those days had heard of Mr Seddon, and he entered the ball, finding himself in the presence of an audionce of weather-beaten aspect and fine physical proportions. His right lion, friend was on tho platform' alone, hut cheerful— (Laughter.) He gathered that at that precise moment Mr Seddon was not popular, but he had come up to the scratch and come up smiling. As one listened, he understood that Mr Soddon had been assailed by certain local politicians, and he gathered also that, in Mr Seddon's opinion, these awailants did not represent Hi© higher intellect or. the great heart of the people. To use a West Coast expression, he proceeded to lay out the unscrupulous assailants. — (Laughter.) He could not. say that ho heard the conc'iiHon of the meeting, but as he went home to his hotel he formed ono fixed opinion, and that was that, as a fighter, Mr Richard Seddon was well worth letting alone.—(Laughtor.) He had acted on that opinion for the '.0 years that Lad siiico elapsed—(renewed laughter),—and as he. was a somewhat timorous and pnoific person, he considered that it was to that fixed creed that their excellent relations had been due during the last two decades. He had tho great pleasure' of coupling with the toast the iu>mo of Mr. R. B. Haldane, K.C. Mr Haldano was not. only a, well-known counsel in the Privy Council, but ho was the advocate of New /calami in her eatiFes there. No doubt the success ho had met with there had been chiefly duo to the absolute righteousness and justice of tho New Zealand cause-Man-di-ter),-but though "thrice armed is he who has his quarrels just," of course it was advisable to be four or five time? arined if thev could, and in having Mr Haldane they bad been so armc<l.-(A"pnuwse.l Mr Haldano, K.C, M.P., said Mr Reeves had referred to the fire*, time ho met Mr tben; Mr Seddon was n fighting man now. The Lmpire loved fighting men.-(Applause.) Wo had not too many of them; and one of ■the strongest was the Prime. Minister of New Zealand They had hoard from him some things that night. He had said some thins* at that memorable meeting to which Mr Kocves had referred which provoked interruption. Well h* might find even moil interruption in London over some of the ;T„nlT B "» thev would love hm all the more because ho had put forward clearly and distinctly what it was New Zeeland wanted to tlb.-fHear, hear.! On behalf ot the visitors ho could only say that Ihey deeply appreciated the opportunity given them or being present that night, and to some of them of hearing for the T,m time the eloquence, of the first man in New Zoa-and.-JApplanse.) The late war had not Wt things as they were. It had drawn us all more close y together. The splendid nrv cea which the colonies had rendered had Shown the world a new side to British nature and British character. And the visitors .present that night thanked their hosts orthe opportunity of testifying as to what £:f, ote Wa V n wMdi the bond, of -mp.ro had been drawn still stronger.(linud applause.) 8 Sir Montagu Nelson said, in proposine the health of the chairman,'that he would Mke to give ono word of welcome to Mr Seddon. It was bis (the speaker's) lot to meet many people from New Zealand and many mtorretod in New Zealand. Ho had mot many such during the last few months »o long as party politics wore what they wre, and they woro as vigorous i„ New Zealand as in this country, there would be (Jittero-nces of polilionl opinion. But in London he had met New ZeaUnders of all shades and opinions, and he had not hoard ono express himself hut favourably n f the way m which Mr Seddon had interpreted (lie. feelim- and sentiment- nf New Zea'and for tile Empire and for (he Mother Country—(Applause.) Under Mr Sheldon's guidance those feelings had been interpreted into action in the way Lord Onflow had rightly, described as masnificent. All were delighted to sec Mr Seddon and to welcome bun. They know Mr Reeves very well; those connected with New Zealand knew how well he did his work.—(Applause.) The Chairman said this was a case- in which all interests were identical. The health of the chairmnn and the health of those who drank it eaually demanded that the proceedings ahonld be brought to a close; they nil wanted to go to bod.— ("No.") Well, they all wanted to listen to no moro speeches, and if he had to sustain lu's character an an ideal chairman he must not make speeches now. .'lust let him say this, however, when they drank tho health of tho chairman and when they thankod him, ho quito know that in a courteous way. and as a form of words, they were really thanking hii energetic committee, and, in particular, tho zealous and over-worked secretary, who had been toiling

night- and day.—(Applause, and a Voice: "Good old Cameron.") It was on behalf of those that he ventured to say that the words used were not altogether undeserved. —(Applause.)

The Chairman having returned due acknowledgment, the proceedings then terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.