BANQUET TO PREMIER SEDDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2263, 15 July 1897, Page 20

BANQUET TO PREMIER SEDDON.

London. July 9. A banquet organised bj Mr W. P. Rseves, Agent-general, was tendered to Mr Seddon at the Holborn Rsetaurant. Sir James Fergusson presided, and amongst those present were Mr Thomas Mackenzie and the New Zealand contingent. Three hundred guests sat down to dinner, the majority of whom are interested in the New Zealand produce trade. The viands were largely composed of New Zealand produce. Mr Seddon, replying to the toast of his health, said he was gratified to find the

Maori section of the contingent present. He would be no party to huckstering. A regal maintenance of the Empire was imperative. Something should b9 dove to preserve British trade with the colonies, especially when foreigners vrere fencing out colonial products by means of obsolete treaties. These were injariou3 to the Empire, and ought to be denounced. Improved communication was needed, and the Pacific cable was essential. There was nothing- to prevent a 25 days' service from Liverpool. The-foreign subsidies that were granted to steamers were merely an indirect way of subsidising trade. It was the duty of the Government to see that the British capital invested in mining operations in the colonies was directed in legitimate chancels. Tha Maoris danced a haka before the guests amidst great applause. Many Smithfield and Tooley street people were represented at the banquet. Sir Montague Nelson said the great difficulty in. the me&t trade was the absolute want of connection between supply and demand. The cure for thiß would be combination and concentration.