PUKETIRAKI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 22

PUKETIRAKI.

Banquet to Mr Thomas Pratt, M.H.R.— On Friday night last, at the Rununga Hall, Puketiraki Kaik, Mr Thomas Pratt, M.H.JR. for the Southern Native Electoral District, was entertained by tho natives of the place at a banquet, to mark their appreciation of his successful efforts on behalf of the South island natives in having blocks of land set apavL for the landless natives. There was a large attendance of natives, and a sprinkling of European friends who had been invited to also' do honour to their representative. Notwithstanding the shortness of time at their dibpooal, owing to Mr Pratt having just returned from the north, the tables and arrangements were well worthy the well-known hospitality of the natives.

Mr Apes presidedi and Hopaku filled the vicechair. After the Chairman had explained that the object for which they had met was to do honour to their member, whose endeavours for nine years past to have a block of land set apart for the landless natives of the South Island and their children had at last been crowned with success. They also wished to compliment the Government, whom lie had supported, and who had complied with the wishes of the South Island natives in so far fulfilling part of their claim.

A number of routine toasts having been proposed, Mr P. Russell proposed the toast of the evening—" Our Guest, Mr Thomas Pratt, and the Native Members of Parliament,"— remarking that Mr Pratt was to be commended for the zeal and ability with which he had advocated the claims of the landless natives of the South Island. Their member was to be congratulated as being the member who had brought this " cause," which had been presented for 24 years to different Governments of the colony by different representatives of the native people, to a successful issue. Mr Pratt had brought the canoe with its burden of benefit, launched so long ago, ashore. Therefore the natives here felt that some expression of their confidence in their member and of their appreciation of his valuable services in this matter was befitting now that the goal had been attained. A general committee of natives was hastily formed to do him honour on this the only night at their disposal, and with what means the shortness of time would admit of. He had watched Mr Pratt's Parliamentary career, and with information from others who had done so, too, he was assured that Mr Pratt had done everything that could possibly have been done to fulfil the promises made previous to the sale of large blocks to the Crown by different Government agents, that certain lands were to be reserved for the natives so soon as the land sold had been surveyed. Mr Pratt, in responding, said he was sincerely sensible of and thankful for the honour done him that evening, and for the warm manner in which they had drunk the toast of himself and the other native members. He and they had been elected by the natives of New Zealand to represent the interests' of their race in Parliament. Speaking for himself, and he was sure he might say for his colleagues also, he could say that they would continue to do what they had done in the past — legislate according to their understanding for the welfare of the native and Kuropean races, which, taken together, formed the common humanity rf Maoriland. The interests of both races now, whatever they may have been in the past, wei c inseparably wrapped up— interlocked with the prosperity of each other ; for living under the new conditions of civilisation, native prosperity depended greatly upon the prosperity of the European population. Under conditions common to both, whatever affected the prosperity of tile one affected the other similarly. M either could afford the poverty of the other ; and both races benefited by each other's prosoerity. And as the native race was now an integral part of the Britith commonwealth in New Zealand, if the nathe races were in a prosperous condition it meant an increase of the power of expenditure ; and this expenditure assisted the colonial revenue through the customs, and in other ways. If the natives were poor— their power of expenditure limited, the revenue was a loser. It was therefore to the interest of the European race that all their powers and capabilities for assisting productions should be given a fair chance. On the other hand, if the European race were in a, prosperous condition, the native race must participate in all the advantages of a, readier market, better wages, and lighter taxation ; while if they were otherwise, and bad times beset them (the Europeans), the natives must suffer— they would find it harder to live. So that it was incumbent upon the native members, in the interests of the native race, to assist all legislation that was for the benefit of the Europeans— where it affected the prosperity of New Zealand as a whole ; and it was in the interests of the European race that its members should legislate to prevent the native race or any portion of it remaining an uncultivated asset. *or his part he would alwaj's try and support whatever was for the good of both races and to the injustice of neither.

Mr Pratt,- in referring again to the honour clone him, said he felt that he could not adequately express his thanks for the honour done him as their representative that evening. It was difficult to express one's deepest feelings. The really handsome way in ■which they had got up this banquet was very gratifying and encouraging to him, and so it was to find that his representation of their interests was appreciated. He could assure them a representative's position was not a bed of roses. They could not know what the task was. He had had nine years experience of it now, and yet had not learnt the whole of the duties and work of the House of Representatives. A representative had to go through a lot of " processes " heforche could do his work successfully. He had in the first place to learn the rules and regulations, which might take him three years. In thanking them again and speaking in reference to the honour done him, Mr Pratt said that certain blocks of land had been set aside and allocated by the Government to those landless natives and their heirs who had not sufficient to maintain themselves. Well, he had used all his energies and mind to bring this about, but he thought the thanks and the credit should not be S'ven to him alone, but also to the Government, c was sure he was not expressing this commendation of the Government because he was a supporter, for the party he supported was that party which would do something to the native races in both islands, and it was because the present Government was doing this that he supported and commended them. In justifying his support of the present Government, he asked them to remember that he had been advocating their grievances for the List nine years, and had now through the present Government gained his point. They were now about to get a grant of land to maintain themselves and families.— (Hear, hear and applause). Of course he knew in his own mind that they deserved it, and that he was advocating what was mere justice to them. The Government of New Zealand in old times had taken away the possessions of their forefathers ; but their grandfathers had made a treaty. 'J hey only handed over the territory on condition that they were to be handed over a certain sum of money in return. He need not mention details, but they were to get enough for the maintenance of school--, churches, and medical attendance. This wad in 184S-SIJ. Now, this Government had tried to set aside these blocks of land as .stipulated. They had in some measure redeemed the promises of the past, and made provision for the natives and for their children hereafter. Though their rights had not been granted to the full, it was better to take at present what was to be got, arid thank the Government f<jr it, and, then, if need be, ask for the rest. It had always been his endeavour to try and get some land for those landless people who had not sufficient to maintain themselves, and he was glad that he had gained his point to a certain extent. Before concluding he felt he must thank Mr Russell for the kind terms in which lie -had proposed the toast of himself and the other native members. He could only assure Mr Russell and them all that for himself he would do his beat at all times for the native race generally and his own electoral district in particular ; and he felt sure he could say as much for the native members of the other electoral districts.— (Prolonged applause.)

Mr Te Tau proposed the toaSt of " Mrs Thomas Pratt and the Native LadieV," and this was responded to by Mr Mlteon. Jtr Hopa liv (vice-chairman) proposed the toast of "The Minister and Department of Education, and the Native School Teachers," and Mr Calvert Blathwayt responded. Mr Apes expressed his thanks to those who had so heartily assisted in making this occasion a successful one, and intimated that the tables would be at once removed for dancing. A vote of thanks to the chairman and vicechairman concluded the first portion of a very enthusiastic gathering.