RECEPTION TO THE PRIME MINISTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13812, 28 January 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

RECEPTION TO THE PRIME MINISTER.

INTERESTING SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. SUBJECTS FOR THE IMPERRL COUNCIL. TRADE WITHIN~THE EMPIRE. NATIVE LAND AFFAIRS.

Ihc anticipation that the reception to tho Hon. Sir Joseph (I. AVard, K.C.tf.U., Prime Minister of New Zealand, by the oitizons of Ditnedin would provo to bo ono of the meet successful functions of its kind' over held in tho oily was completely borne out by tho facts. The holding capacity of tho Garrison Hall was taxed io the uttermost on Fridav night tho 13th tlioro being present considerably over 2000 persons. Party politics were tabooed. The gathering was represeut»tivo of every.shado of political opinion and of all classes of the community. The hall was elaborately decorated, and preBOntod a perfect blaze of colour. I'lags and bunting nearly obscured tho ceiling; festoons and trailers of greenery hmig in great folds over the full width of fcho building; art muslin was drapod around tho windows; baskets of out blooms and delicate ferns wero suspended from tho lower woodwork of tho gallery at short intervals around the hall; fairy lights fanned a gorgeous background to tho platform; a,nd last, but not least, in tho panels of tho gallery, running from the loft hand sido of the platform down tho room, across, and back again to the right hand side of the platform, wero mottoes illustrating Sir Joseph Ward's career. Each motto marks, us it. were, a landmark in Sir Joseph's life's journey, aa will k> scon by (ho following, which is a. complete list of thoso which, in silvor letters on gaudy backgrounds of blue and green, Attracted 110 little notice last night:—Member Bluff Harbour Moard, 1881; chairman Bluff Harbour Board 1893; Mayor of Ca.mpbo)ltown, 1881; elected to Parliament lirst time, 1887; Posiinastergeneral, 1891; Commiteioner' of Electric Telographs, 1891; Colonial Treasurer, 1693; Commissioner of Customs. 1893; Minister of Industries and Oommocce, 189't; Minister of Marino, 1894; ■ Minister of Kaihvays, 1893; Acting Premier, 1S00; Colonial Secretary, 1900; Minister in chiirgo of Tourists Mid Health Resorts, 1901; Penny Postage, Knighted, 1901; Postal Conference, 1904; cheap telograms, 1906; I'rimo Minister, 1906; Minister of Defence, 1906; Premiers' Conference, 1907; liaritinw Conference 1807.

-Mr G. Lawrence (Mayor) occupied the ohair, and among others on the platform won-:—Tho -Minister of Marino (Hon. J. A. Millar), the. Minister of Lands (Hon. It -M'Nab), Hon. T. Y. Duncan, Hon. W. J. Bolt, M.L.O. Hon. G. Jonas M.Ij.C. (Oaniiirn), low! members of Parliamonl, and many leading citizens. The, very handsome address presented, to the Prime Minister road as follows:—

The Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G., Prime Minister o[ Mew Zealand. Dear Sir Joseph,—A very general desire his been expressed by -the citizens of Dunedin that their appreciation of your eminent

services to Now Zealand as Postmastergeneral, as Minister of Railways, and as Prime Minister should Iw marked in aomc udequato manner; find at a largely attended public meeting, at which all classes of the community were represented, it was unanimously decided to present yen with a public address as a murk of the respect and esteem in which you are held in the community lio less than in recognition of your valued and successful work as ;,m important member , oi the Cabinet for more than 12 years. In asking your acceptance of this address, to be presented at a public meeting presided over by tho Mayor of tho city, wo have considered that your approaching departure for England to attend the Conference of Prime Ministers of the Empire affords us p. fitting opportunity to tender our congratulations to you on your attainment of the position of Prime Minister of Now Zealand. We feel assured that the interests of the colony and of the Empire will receive that alert, well-considered, mid statesmanlike attention that has characterised your administration of the great departments of the public service which have been for so many years under your control. It is with pride and satisfaction we recall that in your hands tho facilities given to the people in the Postal and Telegraph Departments have been widened and cheapened to an extent that lias not been witnessed in any other part of the Empire. And it is well known that your activities in postal reform have not been limited to this colony, hut that you have, through your enlightened a-ud vigorous advocacy of penny postage within and without the Empiro, done splendid service in securing that inestiniablo boon for your fellow colonists no far as correspondence to the United Kingdom, tho British colonics, the United States of America, and some other countries is concerned, and that a complete extension of this liberal principle must become nn

accomplished fact for the whole of the Empire before many years have elapsed. Similarly your businesslike and far-seeing administration of the telegraph branch of the service has secured for the people of New Zealand facilities that for cheapness and liberality are not equalled elsewhere within the 15mpirc; f.nd with lespect to tho cable arrangements of this colony, you have more than once succeeded in securing concesnions of great value aud have rendered signal service to our commercial interests, which of late years have relied moreand more on swift cable communication in the carrying on of business matters. Our recognition of your services to the colony would ho incomplete did we not refer in specific terms to your able administration of the railways of the colony. As Minister of Railways for a period of over six years, your work was characterised throughout by the spirit of progress, unoeasing care for the public safety, and by an ever-manifested desire to secure for the agricultural, mining, and industrial interests a reduction in traffic charges to the lowest minimum consistent with prudent administration. And with resqed to the passenger fares, it may be confidently affirmed that nowhere in the world have tho public, at large been treated with greater liberality. A feature of your legislative activity which has proved of signal benefit to a largo number of our most deserving colonists is the Advances to Settlers Act. By means of this measure the Government have for a. period of about 12 yearn been enabled to assist straggling settlers by granting them loans ou very iavonrable terms, and it in gratifying to know that tho system has proved entirely successful, and is regarded as ouo of those wise measures of practical statesmanship that will bs prominently associated with your name.

It gives us genuine pleasure to know that by virtue of your position you are to be the colony' srepresontative at the Conference oi Prime Ministers called '.o consider questions of vital importance to the great Empire whose future welfare we all have most vtaimly at heart. Your natural abilities and the broad view you take on national question assure us that your counsel during the sittings of the Conference will lie of great service to Jtotberlaml and colonies alike.

"Willi renewed tt»suiiinecs of our cordial recognition of the sijmnl services ymi have rendered to Nevr Zealand during your Ministerial career, and of our confidence that your future as Prime Minister will be characterised by devotion to the colony's material ami social interests, we have tho honour to subscribe ourselves, on behalf of tho citizens of Dunctiin.

Excellent speeches suiting the occasion were delivered by the Mayor. Mγ .lames Mills, Mr J. H.'llosldng.'aiid Mr ,f. T. Paul.

Sir Joseph Ward in his roply dealt with the following subject,? thus: —

The liifehut, Conference. Now. turning to other matters, let mo say that at tho Imperial Conference t.ticro are most important subjects to bo dealt with— eubjocts in the discussion of which no question of party can arise.—(Applause.) Thn settlement of the Imperial and colonial matters that arc to form the subjects of discussion —and, I hope, decision—aro of tho most, vital consequence to all clashes in this country, and I will, as your representative, go to that conferoiice not as the representative of any party in the country, but as tho representative of the people as a whole.— (Applause.) The subjects of which T lave given notice on behalf of New Zealand, I may remind you, arc: An Imperial Council, preferential trade, reciprocity as to the admission of barristers to practise-, naturalisation, Australian squadron (which, by the way, I think should ho known as the Australasian squadron), reservation of bills, the legislative power of tho colonies to make reciprocal tariff treaties with one another, immigration, universal penny postage, luid the right of tho colonies to legislate for the control .of admission of alien or coloured people to them. You will therefore seo that the eubjects given uotico of by Ne\v

Zealand's representative are very import-ant. (Applauso.) It would not bo possible within tho limits of the time at my disposal to-night to discuss each of the subjects referred to, and I will only touoh on one or two of them, hoping that on my return to tho colony the conference will have given tho authority for laying on tho tabfo of the House a report of tho proceedings. In other words, I trust that tho proceedings of the conference will not bo of a confidential character; on the contrary, I hopa that ite deliberations may bo opon to tho prose, or at anyrate that, if tho subjects should bo of Imperial interest to which it would not he advisable to givo publicity, an authoritativo resume of tho proceedings may bo available foe tho information of tho * people* concerned in tho different countries. Relativeto an Imporial Council, thero is a consensus of opinion steadily being formed that tho great intereete of the Empire, scattered as it is, call for eome oonerete authoritative body capable of voicing the sentiments or of conveying tho deoisions of the Governments of tho respective countries to the great Imperial Government in whose interests and by whoso actions tho material affaire of tho outlying nortioiis of the Empire are so frequently likely to bo concerned and in somo instances involved.— (Applause.) The expansion that has gono on in recent years has boon so swift and so great that what was All right a few years ago is quite inadequate and unsatisfactory in helping on the governmont of tlio countries now. Speaking generally, I am persuaded that there are many malters of deepest moment to tho future and present generations of this country that its peopleshould have ii voice in, and tho most effective way of ensuring that voico being heard is by the creation of a responsible council with representation from all portions of the Kmpiro upon it; and as an illustration of what value such ;i council coukl lie to a country such as ours is, iako tlm question of tho introduction of coloured races.— (Applause.)

THE PvACIAI QIIF.3TIOX. It will, I think, be caucccluil that tho people in our own country must have a better knowledge of what is good for them and of what they am prepared to allow than othor people who. however capable they may be, lack the local knowledge and the "local aspirations of our people. Many niattere, among others that dealing with the question of tho coloured races, could bo more effectively bandied and controlled by a trusted representative of the poplo upon an Imperial Council, advising those who aro responsible! for tho government of Great Britain ikclf, lo say nothing of India and other portions of iis possessions, and I fee] persuaded that the authorities in the Old World would herald tho creation of an Imperial Council, ou a proper bnsis, in the light of members of a distant family coming together to the old home to assist in the preservation and the strengthening of tho tie that binds them together.—(Applause.) Perhaps it will be of interest to you to know the terms of the motion of which I have_ given notice: "That in all future treaties with foreign nations the Imperial Government will make such treaties subject to the right of all its self-governing colonies to pass such laws as they think fit to limit to tho fullest degree short of absolute exclusion the immigration into those colonies of aliens."—(Applause.) The motion embodies what I claim to be the undoubted right of the British people of New Zealand to framo their own legislation Rovm'iiinjc aliens, and wo are surely justified in asking the Mother Country in any treaties that it may require for offensive or defensive purposes to outer into to preserve this right for its self-govern-ing colonies' to exercise. Wo cannot, of course, ask to be allowed to legislate for absolute exclusion, as that would necessarily be denied to us, and it would be unfair of us to ask it; but we can ask for the. preservation of the right lo legislate for the limitation to the fullest degree of tho introduction of coloured or alien races to our country.

The Nred of a Stiiong N.m. And hnro lot me say to those who are opposed to (ho strengthening of tho British navy out in these seas that, in my opinion, they should take a broader view of tho whole position.—(Applause.) You cannot reasonably usk the British Government to take responsibilities upon its shoulders even in the matter of treaties without in turn showing our recognition of the responsibilities by assisting in the maintenance of a strong and powerful fleet for tho defence of tho Homeland as well us of its possessions. And if we desire in the years to come to bo prepared, if necessary, against an invasion of coloured races to these countries, w< , must not bo afraid to assist in the building up of a navy that will, in timu of need, be a preserver and a protector to our people. Therefore I hold strongly that it is our duty to show tho Imperial Government that wo are prepared to reasonably increase our subsidy for the support of the British navy.—(Applause.) It would, of course, be a, splendid thing for the world at largo if, ns a result of tho next 'Peace Conference at Tho Hague, there could be a period of peace amongst all the nations of Hie world proclaimed for the next 50 years, or even for a shorter period— (applause).—so as to allow the natural development and expansion of each of the countries to go on without the abnormal conditions of highly-equipped armios and fully-maintained fleets. But we have to take the world a-s we find it, and in the absence of an effectively mutual agreement for the sustainment of peace between the contending nations of the world wo must, as prudent people, keep ourselves equipped and ready to meet the worst should it happen to arise. Only for those reasons, then, do I say that we ought to bo prepared to take our share of the financial responsibilities by way of subsidies, us far as New Zealand is concerned, in this all-important matter. iNTun-EsiPiRE Trade. In reference to the question of the improvement of trade betwton the Old Country and its outlying possessions, the presont is an ago of active competitive rivalry. It resolves itself into tho survival of tho fittest in commercial development and expansion. It is llio plain , duty of the Old Land as well as the newer ones attached to it- to zonlously guard against the encroachment that others arc endeavouring to make upon it in Hip commercial world.—(Applause.) We find some of tho most-highly protected countries in the world practically refusing to allow us to trade with them, while they arc subsidising k> an enormous extent their steamers to compete actively wiih England and its colonies in rhe light for trade. What wo want to aim at, is a fair field under ccjiml conditions, and with such we can, I think, trust the British manufacturer and the British artisans—by that I mean British artisans in whatever portion of the possessions they may be—to hold Ihoir own against any other country.-(Applause.) This allimportant question—-intricatn, difficult, and far-reaching -is one which could with advantage be investigated by a council, and in that investigation it is but right that a count ry such as New Zealand should have its own representative—well posted, well informed, and well directed by the Government of the, oountrv. it necessary— in assisting to formulate such a system as would, after.careful consideration, bo best calculated to achieve the laudable ends which all classes in this country havo in view.

Reciprocal Treaties. And so with regard to reciprocal treaties. We linvn recently entered into a treaty with South Africa - -(applause)—which, upon Mm whole. I think, may be eaid to bn mutually fair. The opportunity for the development, of this trade is now in the hands of our farmers and our merchants; it is for them to avail themselves of ii fresh avenue for the development of trade. Thorn is. I consider, no reason whatever why we should not have a reciprocal treaty with Canada.—(applause) —in order io (rive the fullest opportunity to our farmers and our merchants to develop trade with that important country. On the oaf torn sido of Canada they should take our wool, our butter, and our choose in ooncsidoiahlo quantities, and there aro articles which they produce, and, in some instances, manufacture, that we could Pfivo them a preference upon for exportation to our country. This is essentially a matter at present for the Governments of Canada and New Zealand to go inlo. and I have already taken the necessary steps to lie in a position t o discuss the whole matter on ;i practical basis with Sir Wilfrid IJaurior, the Prime Minister of Canada, when we aro togctnor in London.— (Applause.) We are ready, too, to consider a reciprocal treaty with Australia.— (Applauso.) But a treaty to be of service to both countries must be mutually fair. Australia could not be expected to entertain any proposal from us 1 hat cave an ovor-rcacliing advantage to New Zealand,' ami, ae sensible people, we would _ not expect them to do anything of the- kind; and in turn our Australian neighbours would not. I am sure, expect anything' of the kind from us. Therefore, if the opportunity arises, and they are prepared to go into the question of a reciprocal tariff with Xew Zealand, upon lilies fair to both c-oun tries, the Government of New Zealand, on behalf of ite people, ia quite ready to meet them. I have alluded to these questions of reciprocal treaties because it is of importance t<l Old England to know that we will not, in the fixing of tariff treaties with any countries, place England

at a disadvantage as compared with them.— (Applause.) I regard Great Britain as being the real omporiiim for this colony's products, and in any important treaties that wo aro entering into the intoreete of tho Old Laud must, not bo overlooked— (Applaueo),—and I feel that lam expressing your opinions when I say that, had wo an Im|>erial Council in existence, tho fullest information upon all such matters could bo, gone into by that important body, and tho interests consorved, not only of Great Britain, but of every protion of tho outlying Empire, I have now referred briefly to some matters that will ongago the attention of tho Imperial Conference, to attend which I am about to leave theeo ehore6. Each question will rccoivo serious consideration, and you' may depend upon it that I shall do my best to imprere upon those who are present what I believe to bo tho matured publio opinion of tho people of tliis country; and in order that our people may not bo committed to anything each undertaking that may bo suggested at that. Conference is subject to ratification by the people of New Zealand—that is, by the membors of Parliament—after my return. I will not take up your time further by referring to matters of Imperial eo.ncern. The Native Lands. As you know, for some time past tho question of how best to deal with the Native lands of this country has been exercising the attention of tho Government, nnd, »s this ia in no sense a party matter, but one in which all classes of tho community are concerned, and the solution of which means adding to the general prosperity of Iho country by giving it an increased producing power as well ae ati increased means of employment, I fo?l it is necessary that tlw mutter should be referred to by me in order that the position should be bettor understood, and Ihat what has been i.lonn by the Government should be known. You may have observed that recently I indicated that a. fioyai Commission should be eet up for the purpose of dealing with this important matter, and I have pleasure in stating now that the Government lias recommended his Excellency the Governor to appoint a commission, nnd (hat hie Excellency has given his assent to the proposal. —(Applause.) The commissioners appointed aro Sir Robert Slout (Chief Justice of the colony) and Mr Apiraua Turiitu Ngata (of Auckland)—(applause),—and upon my return to Wellington the question of the appointment of an additional member is to be considered. Tho Chief Justice is 6o well known throughout tlio colony, and his knowledge of Nativo laws, Native customs, ami Native history is recognised as being of the. greatest value, and the Government had no hesitation in asking him to accept tho position of chairman of the commission.—(Applause.) Mr Ngata, who is a member of Parliament, is a man of the highest educational attainments. He is a Bachelor of Laws, a barrister of tho Supreme Court of New Zealand, and one of the most brilliant Maoris who have passed through Te Auto College, in addition to which ho is passionatoly attached to his race. So that, from the standpoint of both tho Europeans and tho Maorie, I think there will be a Reneral consensus of opinion that both races will be thoroughly represented on tho commission, while both commissioners have impartial minds and a desire to do what is fair to both rßces. Without placing before you tho whole of the commission, I may give you tho salient portions of it, from whicli you will era that it is not an ordinary commission. The commission is to inquire and report:—

(1) What area of Native lands there are which aio unoccupied or not profitably occupied, the owners thereof, and if, in your opinion, necessary the nature of Eiioh owners' titles and the interests affecting the same.

(2) How nueli lands can boat be utilised nnd settled in Uio interest of the Native owners' and the public good. (3) What areas, if uny, of such lands could or should be set apart (a) for tile individual occupation of tho Native , owners, and for purposes of cultivation and farming; (b) as communal lands for the purposes of the Kative owners as » body, tribe, or village; (c) for future occupation by the descendants or successors of the Native owners, and how such land can in the meantime be properly and profitably ueed; (d) for settlement by other Natives than tie Native owners, and on what terms and conditions nnd by what modes oi disposition; (e) for settlement by Europeans on what terms and conditions, by what mocks of disposition, in what areas, and with whnt safeguards to prevent the subsequent aggregation of such areas in European hands. And further, to report as to (1) How the existing institulions established amongst Natives ami ' the existing systems of dealing with Native lauds can best be utilised or adapted for the purpose's aforesaid, and to what extent or in what manner they should bo modified. And you are hereby enjoined lo make such suggestions and recommendations as you may consider desirable or necessary with respect to tho foregoing matters, aud generally with respect to the necessity.ol legislation in the premises. And with the like advice and consent I do further appoint you, the said Sir Robert Stout, to bo chairman of the eaid commission. And for flic better enabling you, tho said commission, to carry these presents into effect you are hereby authorised and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presonts at such times and places in the said colony as you deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and Irorn placo to place as you think fit, and to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise, a3 may bo allowed by law, such person or persons as yon think capable of affording you information in the premises, and you are hcroby also empowered to call for and examine all such ibooks, documents, papora, plans, maps, or records as you deetn likely lo afford you the fullest information on tlie subject of this inquiry, and to inquire of end concerning the premises by till lawful ways arid means whatsoever. Aad using nil diligenco you are required to transmit to me, under your hands and seals, your reports and recommendations from' time to. time after the inquiries aforesaid have been made in respect of any considerable blocks or areas of Native land, and to transmit to me your first report not later than the loth day of July, 1907. or such extended d<ite as may hereafter be named by me in that behalf, and your final report not later than the Ist day of January, 3909, or Fiicli extended date ns may hereafter be named by me. And you aro directed to so frame your reports as to facilitate prompt action being taken thereon, and in particular to furnish in such reports such detail oh lo tho lands available for European settlement as will enable Parliament, if it deems fit. to give immediate le<»islativo effect to such parts of your reports. And it is heroby declared tluvl these presents shaM' continue in full force and virtue Although the inquiry may not he regularly continued from time to time or from place to placo by adjournment.

Native Land Problem Solution. This commission, it will be seen, is not set. up for the purpose of delay, but with the object of facing and solving tho Nath'o land problem. Hitherto law after law has benn passed, net and net repented, amendniciit after amendment effected, and all have boon based upon a mixture of impossible ideals and impcrfcel experience. No general sohome lias yet succeeded, because in all there Ime been more theoretical than praciical machinery. An inefficient machine has bwn, in constant existence. what wo want is- a machine not only highly qualified, but also furnished with wulo powers and an even wider discretion. The problem can only bo solved by a vigorous handling of business principles— (applause),—and this commission, with the powers and discretions conferred upon it, is the first attempt at so handling it. The commission is, unlike former ones, moio than a. mere evidence or data collector. It is unique in this: that it will shape, prepare, and furnish Parliament with material so complete and digested that Parliament may at once convert the commissioners' reports into law. The commission will not wait until tho whole of the Native, lande of thn colony are investigated, but will bring np its work ready for conversion into law from fimo to time. 1 will give a hypothetical illustration. I am not nointjng to any particular block of hind, although a parallel could b<; found. Suppose that, in Hawke's Bay, Auckland, or Taianaki, where enormous areas lie, there is a block of 200,000 acri>s of good land. If the title is ascertained—not necessarily iridividualiecd, it is 6ufficient if it is ascertained,—tho commission will proceed somewhat on the following lines:—(l) Ascertain (he requirements of the tribe or hapu— say, 25,000 acres; (2) ascertain the area, if any, reasonably required, in addition to thn 25,000 acros, for descendant*— wy, 10,000 acres; (3) ascertain what aroa should be set afide as communal (as a common or reserve)—say, 5000 acres; and (4) ascertain what, if any, area is required for landless Natives—say, 5000 acres. That ia 45,000 acres in all, leaving 155,000 acres out of the block available for European eottloment. Now, tho commission would require to decide how the 10,000 acres for' descendants and the 5000 acres for landless Natives should be dealt with. Tho areas should in any case be inalienable. Tho form of tenure for the areas would bo considered and recommended by the commission. Then the question of dealing with thn 155,000 aores available for European settlement should be taken in hand to determine (1) tho term, (2) tho area, (3) oale or loase, and (4) safeguard against subsequent aggregation. Then, as won as the block was' finished upon the lines I have indicated, and tho requirements of the Natives, the requirements of descendants, .the- r<:o.uirtnicnti for reserves, and tho re-

quiremenls for landless Natives had been ascertained, as well as the balance available for European settlement, t-lio commission would report upon that block to Pnrliiuncnt, with dotails sufficient to enable Parliament to giro immediate effeot to it. The advantage of proceeding in this way would bo that the old system of delay for years and years would bo entirely prevented, and, in my opinion, a practical solution of admittedly a tronblcsoino and far-ieaching question can, and will, be offocted under the procodiiro governing this important commission. There is, o[ conrso, abundant land! upon which tlio commission can operate, tho title of which has already boon ascertained. As regards tlut lind of which tho. title has not been ascertained, tho Native Land Court can go on expeditiously ascertaining it, and when Parliament moete legal authority may be given to the commission itself to aseort&in titles or to direct ascertainment; as required. Then, as tho Natives aro somewhat strongly opposed to tho Publio Trustee investing any portion of tho proceeds from their lands, there is no reason why the boards already constituted should uot bo mado uso of for tho purpose of dealing with these proceeds either from rents or from sales of such portione of their lamfe as may bo disposed of.

Native Lands and Crown Lands, It must not be forgotten thet the difforenco between Nativo lands and Crown lands is very groat. The one is privately owned, though tho safeguards of the State aro necessarily in tho interests of tho Natives and to protect, them from fraud or improper sales. In order to expedite the work of tho Native Department, into which considerable activity is being put, two more judges of the Native Land Court have been appointed, Mr Fisher (of flaivora) ami Mr Gilfeddcr (solicitor, of Invercargill) have l>een appointed to fill two of ihc&o positions. The department requires the services of active men who are prepared to put a largo amount of work into their duiiesl- - who have a. considerable knowledge of tho Nativo laud laws of tho colony. I feol euro that the result of tlio commission's work will T)o valuablo to the country. That tho North Island is developing very rapitlly at present is will known. It is a happy circumstance, in my opinion, and augurs well for the future of the colony.—(Applause.) Though some people may feel concerned ats the increase of population in tho north as against the south, I am not ono who shares tho feeling. I hold that uo>portion of tho colony can go on developing without benefiting more- or less every portion of it, and! it must not' lw forgotten ihat while this inoroa&o is going on in the north many of thoso who have liolped to make the increase have gone from th« south. It should he remembered that we want people. The. insular feeling ought not to bo encouraged, and sJiould not bo a fat-tor in considering what is right in tho intoreefs of either island. For many years, largely due to tho Maori wars in the north, » great restriction against, thn development ami progress of that island oxistod. That has happily all been cleared away, and now thoro is an activity and vitality going on thorc that should, to the mind of every impartial person in the colony, be regarded as a matter of great eat tsfaction.—(Applause.)