THE HON. J. M'KENZIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 19

THE HON. J. M'KENZIE.

THE COLONIAL PRESENTATION. . " WELLINGTON, April 10. The occasion of the presentation to the Hon. John M'Kenzie,, Minister for Lands, on the eve of his departure to the old country, was of a most .enthusiastic character. Mr M'Kenzie was escorted by Highland pipers to the Theatre Royal, which had been prettily decorated with flags and ferns, and there was a crowded audience xo witness the ceremony. Among those on the stage were the Premier, the Hons. T. Thompson and W. C. Walker, Sir Robert Stout, Messrs 'J. Hutcheson, J. Stevens, C. H. Mills, H. A. Field, M.H.R.'s, also several leading citizens. Mrs M'Kenzie and daughter were also present. The Mayor, who presided, read telegrams from the Hons. J. Carroll, A. Lee Smith, W. M'Cullough, Messrs A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., F. Trask (mayor of Nelson), and "others, legretting their absence, but wishing Mr M'Kenzie and family God speed. Mr Blair said Mr M'Kenzie had been a ■ public man for many years, and not one ccpld say he had been dishonest. Whether his land policy was right or not was immaterial, but they must say it was honest. •> Mr-M'Kenzie in all his land administration had . the welfare of the 'people at heart, and' by his policy had secured the goodwill of all. , .

Sir Robert Stout said they had not met that night- for party purposes, but to recognise the good that Mr M'Kenzie had done for the colony, and that when Mr M'Kenzie returned- they hoped he would be in vigour and the best of health. He referred to early ' provincialism, when he first met Mr M'Kenzie,-. and dealt at some length with what- had- been done in promoting land settlement by the departing Minister. He declared that Mr M'Kenzie had since going into the Assembly always promoted placing settlers on the land. He regretted to see the cause which was sending' Mr M'Kenzie'away from New Zealand, ill-health, and this he put down to the absurd late hours which were kept in Parliament, and he thought a reform in this direction necessary. He rejoiced to l'linfc the good services Mr M'Kenzie bad (' ne for land settlement hiid been recog'«ed, and he felt positive whatever the tinister did was what he thought was for t'le best interest of the colony. In concluding, he hoped to see Mr M'Kenzie and his- wife and family back in the best of health and to stay with them for many years."

Mr J. Hutcheson, M.H.R., reviewed the history of the Hon-. Mr M'Kenzie for the wast 32 years, and affirmed what Sir Robert Stout had "said as to the yeoman service done by '.Kirn in the Provincial Council of Otago and later. He eulogised the land administration of the Minister for Lands, and declared it to have been an important factor in providing work for the labouring -classes. . He referred to settlement along the West Coast of the North Island, which could not have been attained except by the policy put forth by Mr M'Kenzie and adopted by the Government. Mr Hutcheson referred to an extreme winter experienced some time ago in the South Island, when hundreds and thousands of sheep were frozen, and declared that in this instance Mr M'Kenzie came to the assistance of farmers, irrespective of their political opinions. He ielt confident that at the pace they were going Ministers of the Crown were overworked. He wished Mr M'Kenzie God speed, and hoped his return would be sure and that he would place his land policy on such a basis that no hostile power could shake it. The Hon. Mr Seddon referred to the success of the Minister for Lands, and said one who had Mr M'Kenzie's friendship could well feel proud of it. Ministers, he said, had a private function to perform on Wednesday, and he was keeping back some of what he might nave said that night for that occasion. No one regretted more than himself that their worthy friend was leaving them. Mr M'Kenzie was always considerate for others. Mr M'Kenzie had tendered his resignation, as he thought there would be grave difficulties if he went awa-v, but his colleagues after consultation decided that it would not be right to the colony for him to resign,' and felt that when he went back to .Ins native country he should go there as a Minister of the Crown. He (Mr Seddon) trusted the trip would send him back with restored health and vigour. He had no hesitation in.^ayijjg those who knew him in youth and since would be glad to see him back and 'give -him a right hearty welcome. Whether as a friend or colleague, everyone who knew him must feel proud of him. His foes, too. respected him because he was worthy of their steel. As to questions of policy, lie could say that his hon. friend and himself had never differed, and he trusted that this would continue while they were on this side of the bar. The departing Minister had sacrificed his health in the interest of the public, and he (Mr Seddon) hoped during his absence there would be no carping. If there was anything which required explanation he, as Premier, would "be only too glad to meet any question. In concluding, he wished Mr M'Kenzie and. family God speed, and felt confident that the welcome on their return would be greater than the send-off.

Mr H. Beauchamp, chairman of the Testimonial Committee, thanked the press of the colony for the . assistance it had given the moTement for presenting the testimonial to the Hon. John ' M'Kehzie: He lauded the land policy of the Minister.

The address, which, after regretting the necessity for Mr M'Kenzie taking his trip, referred to the success of his land administration, was then read. This contained some 8000 signatures, mostly residents in the provincial district of Wellington. Mr Beauchamp, then presented the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie with " a handsomely bound album containing the address and an envelope containing a cheque, which, he said, was for over fflur figures," but" did not mention the amount. This represents the total subscriptions of admirers in the colony.

Miss Seddon then presented Mrs M'Kenzie with a pretty bouquet. The Hon. J. M'Kenzie, in replying, said he felt very grateful for the manner in whicli ilia trip to England had been re-

ceived by the press and public of the colony. It was well known that in the past he and the press had not been on the best of terms, but now he thought he could not bring down the bill which he had threatened respecting the press. Referring to land settlement, he said he had come from a country where one man had a right to order any person off the land, no matter where they had to go ; and when he first took part in politics he was determined that the evils of land settlement which he had left behind in the old country should not obtain in this happy country. He was not the only land reformer in the colony, and was twitted by the press that he was a land owner. AH he could claim credit for was that when the time for the change of land policy arose he took opportunity by accepting Mr John Ballance's offer to join his Ministry as Minister for Lands. No one could have carried out the land reforms the Government had unless backed up by the people of the colony. He had been practically given a free hand in dealing with land settlement, • and while he would not go so far as to say that the ■ system was perfect, the difficulty was to prepare regulations which would apply to all parts of the colony. He urged further amendment of the Land Act, which would allow an extended area for settlers so that they could become greater producers, and be able to provide for their families. He then referred at some length to the land measures which had been passed by the Government after meeting with opposition in the Legislative Council. He would like to see the time when all the lands of New Zealand would be nationalised. He said he had purchased under the Land for Settlements Act 58 estates, comprising 245,534 acres, costing £1,216,482. The rentals were now £61,491, or about 5 per cent. On these estates there were now 700 houses, and he was confident in a few years there would be 2000 houses where, before the policy of the Government was adopted, there was scarcely a single building. He declared that all settlements improved the value of city propert}-, and was of immense benefit to the workers. He said he might not be here when the next election was fought, but he warned colonists to be careful as to how they voted for persons who favoured the freehold tenure. They must not allow large properties which had been cut up to fall again into one hand, and thus create large land owners. He favoured a system of Crown grant which would prevent anything of the kind. He felt, satisfied that the colony had done him justice for what little he had done for it. He eulogised the Agricultural department, which he declared to be a live department. Parliament had found means for creating this department, and they had now a better quality of produce than had been secured in former days. In thanking those who had subscribed to the testimonial, he said it showed him that the colonists of New Zealand were- determined -that the Hon. John M'Kenzie should not be out of pocket while taking his holiday. He hoped to •come back in good health, but if he did not, then he would have to accept the inevitable and allow God's will to be done. The Hon. Minister was heartily cheered at the conclusion, and escorted back to his residence by pipers.