HONOURING- MR FOWLDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13673, 16 August 1906, Page 7

HONOURING- MR FOWLDS.

— (Ps» Uimi® Press Assowatios.) AUCKLAND. August 15. A large am) cultured audience filled Iho Choral Hall to-night for tho public welcome io fhe Hon. 0. Fowlds, -Minister of Education. Several eulogistic addresses wore yiven by leading citizens, and Mr Fowlds, upon rising to reply, was received with loud cheering, the audience standing, lie commenced by saying lie would be something less than human were he not deeply moved by tho very cordial and magnificent, reeepjioii (hat he had received from his fellow-citizens of Auckland.—(Applause.) He would like to say, in connection with Messrs Mills and Duncan, that they Imd given the best services they could to the colony. They had shown theiv loyalty and devotion to Iho principles of the parly 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 tho prompt and business-like v.-ay iii which lie had taken hold of the rein* of Government upon his return, and, while it. would he impossible for Sir Joseph to please everybody in tho selection of u Cabinet, yet ho (the speaker) believed that throughout the colony there was a general feeling of satisfaction at the choice the Premier had made. But he (Mr Fowlds) was the one singled out for criticism., He believed tho whole criticism Imd been' directed at him, He had 110 fault to find wiih that fact, arid he looked upon it as a very high testimonial, indeed, because of aiiy objection that had been made there was none raised to his own character or capacity for the position. The criticism had been solely confined In liis holding of one out of many opinions on political questions that were before tho people of New Zealand. If the only objection that could be raised to the new Government was that one member held an opinion that, was not held by a majority of tho people of (lie colony, then the Government could go on its way rejoicing. Tn accepting his present position ho (Mr Fowlds) did so with loyalty to the Prernier. and intended to devote his service to tho country to the best ability ho possessed. lie (the sneaker) looked forward with a. great deal of hope to tho future.- It had been wisely decided tlmt the policy Miecch of the Government should bo addressed to the people in the presence of Parliament. He quite recognised that bis colleagues Hvere not singlc-taxers, and that the policy of the new Government would not be single-taw but ho saw no reason why. agreeing with tlieln. as lie believed be did. on many great and important questions, that should have withheld himself from the service of the country becauso they would not airrce to go as far as lie would.—(Applause.) He recognised they would not go exactly where he wanted to go. but they were going to do a great deal which he believed to he in the best interests of the people of New Zealand, and in doittg that be meant to give them the best help he could. He had np intention of trying surreptitiously to advance the political ideas he held. He believed tho nrinciples he had referred to were too lareo to be benefited by any such attempt. He Itclievcd that the special desire of the country at. the nreseiif, was not for- any revolution-, nry policy, and when the policy of the new fJnvei'iimont was announced it would tie found it would be soundly progressive without being revolutionary.