THE HON. R. McKENZIE.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12457, 5 February 1909, Page 2

THE HON. R. McKENZIE.

AT MOTUEKA.

BANQUET AND PRESENTATION. (From Our Special Reporter.) The Hon R McKenzie. Minister for Public Works, received a most cordial welcome at Motueka, where he was entertained at a banquet at the Post Office hotel on Wednesday night. The Mayor (Mr F. W. Thorp) presided over the gathering, which was attended by between sixty and seventy of the leading citizens of the Borough of Motueka and surrounding districts. Host, Wallace provided a repast that would have done credit to the leading hotels in the cities, and after ample justice had been done to the good things provided, the company adjourned to the lawn at the back of the hotel, which was illuminated with Chinese lanterns, and indulged in a smoke and conversation for half ah hour. On returning to the dining room a lengthy toast list was gone through. The Chairman read apologies for absence from Sir Joseph Ward, Dr Deck, Messrs L. D. Easton, H. Everett, A. S. CoUyns, R. E. Clouston, W. J. RiUy (Takaka), T. Hewetson and C. Thomas. The toast of "The King" having been honoured, the Chairman proposed the health of the Hon R Me. Kenzie. He said their guest had been their representative for twelve years and during that time had done remarkably well for them. In fact he had been without doubt the best representative they ever had. He felt the time had come when they should convey publicly- -to him -fcheir thanks ahd appreciation of his services. His appointment to the Mm" istrj^ appeared to he. a fitting time to do this, hence the gathering that evening. Since the Yogel Ministry the policy of the Government had been to borrow money to develop the country, by constructing railways, roads and the means of communication. As Motueka stood geographically the expenditure on railways in other parts of. the district did not affect them directly, but they were called upon to pay their share in the amount expended. They might not be in a position to call for railway connection but it was Only just that they should receive some of the monies that were being expended by the Government in developug the resources of the Dominiou. In this district they required roads and trac>s to open up the back country. As Mayor he knew what Mr McKenzie had done for the borough. He had provided them with sundry grants which were absolutely necessary. A booh for which they had to thank Mr McKenzie was the subsidy for the direct mail service to Wellington, which, had brought them into touch with the centre of the Dominion. What they wanted . now was harbour improvements and 'a still better steamer service. Their member had done his best for them inthe past. and was sure he would continue so in the future. He had been requested on behalf of the residents of Motueka and district to make Mr McKenzie a preentation as a token or their esteem and repect, and something that would recall memories of that constituency., The presentation might not rank with one that would be given by a city constituency but Mr McKenzie would agree that it was not the intrinsic value of the article that was appreciated but the spirit in which it was given. Mr Thorp then handed the Hon. Mr McKenzie a solid silver tea service, which bore the following inscription: "Presented to the Hon. R. McKenzie, M.P., by his friends and supporters resident in Motueka and surrounding districts in appreciation of his past services, also as a souvenir of his appointment to the Ministry, February 3rd, 1909." He trusted that Mr and Mrs McKenzie would live long to enjoy them. (Loud applause). The Hon. Mr McKenzie, who was received with loud and prolonged applause, expressed his sincere thanks to the residents for their magnificent present to Mrs McKenzie and himself. As their representative he had always endeavoured to do his duty toward his constituents. Their requirements had been small, and generally veri T . easily provided for He recognised that they were isolated to some extent, _ but a railway was out of the question. In a few years they might be going to Wellington by airship. (Laughter). He had airways looked upon the back-block settlers as his particular care, as the people in the interior were far worse off than they were in Motueka. He recognised that they should have better accommodation at their harbour, which should be made to admit much larger vessels than were now trading to the port. In his opinion, it would be easier to make a gOod harbour at Motueka than it had been at Nelson. The sooner they got their harbour started the better he would be pleased, as he had been successful when their member in obtaining a subsidy of £500 a year for thirty years. Coming to his appointment to the positions he now held, Mr McKenzie said he had- been connected with mining, public works, and railway construction all his life, and that he had been engaged in railway construction between Port Chalmers and Dunedin before railways in other parts of the Dominion were built. It was now his duty to see that other people made the railways, and to see that thej' did not get paid more than they should be for the work. He hoped that when it came to his turn to leave the Ministry the people of the district would hold the same opinion of him as they did that night. The mining industry was fairly prosperous, and he intended to develop the mineral resources of the Dominion as far as "was possible. A geological survey party was now working towards the head of the Karamea, and it was his intention before long to follow it. up with a prospecting party on scientific lines. He expressed his surprise at the development that had taken place in that district, and concluded by expressing his thanks again to the residents for their handsome present. (Applause.) . The Chairman proposed "The British Empire," and Mr. Thomas Pattie "The Dominion of New Zealand," to which Mr J.^ B. Jordan responded. "The Premier and the Parliament of New Zealand" was proposed by Mr Andrew Sinclair, ..who, in the course of his remarks, said that the Premier was the right man in the right place, and he did not think there was any man in the present Parliament, or out of it, who was better able to finance the country than Sir Joseph Ward. The Premier had a great task in reconstructing the Ministry, and he had shown good, sound judgment in the appointment of Mr McKenzie. The new Parliament contained ' a number of strong men, and he felt sure they would legislate for the benefit of the counI try. (Applause). The Hon. R. McKenzie. in responding, thanked them very heartily for the manner in which, they had honoured the toast. Matters moved swiftly in this country. It was only two years and" eight months since the death of the late Mr Seddon, and there were only two members' in the present Ministry— Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. James Carroll— who were members of that Cabinet. Sir Joseph Ward was unquestionably the ablest man in this Dominion, and any- one- who - could imanage -the finances of this country with Sir Joseph Ward's* ability must be looked noon. as a man with very exceptional ability. The Liberal Government had never bad any trouble | with its finances. In regard to the tighteninn: of the money market, fortunately it was lessening. So far as}the Government was concerned.it had made vory little difference to it. Certainly the Government had to raise a little more money to help the settlers along, otherwise the Govern-.' ment had hot felt tho financial strain. The Government had no intention of taking any risk with' the affairs of

I this country. The Government would look after the people's money, and see that it was spent to the best advantage. The railways had never paid less than £3 8s 6d, and the interest in the cost of construction was £3 los. Tho Government had no intention of raising fares or freights. The revenue from the railways was increasing, and the volume 9* trade was also steadily increasing. The Premier "was not a rash man, and he could assure them that there was no other man in the Dominion who had the interests of this country at heart so much as Sir Joseph Ward. He was a prudent man, and went on sound lines. The Minister said he looked forward to the present Parliament to do a great deal of good for this country. The present administration ' intended to leave the country in a better condition than when they went into office and its resources would be fully developed. There was no reason why this country .should not export fifty miUion pounds worth of products, instead of twenty millions, as at present The pioneers of New Zealand had done splendid work and in another sixty years the country would be one of the brightest spots in tho universe. After further remarks, Mr.McKenzio resumed his seat amidst loud applause . "The Army, Navy and Volunteers" was proposed by Mr T .Macmahon, ™ responded to by Mr J. A Guy ■n r x Tl^ Mayor and Councillors of Motueka" was then proposed by Mr J. V. Beuke, and the Mayor, in responding, said that for the first timo in ten years the Borough, if aUrates were paid up, would be without an overdraft. "The Commerce and Prosperity of Motueka and surrounding Districts" was entrusied-io,^ O. Lowe, aid to by Messrs T. Pattie (Chairman of the Motueka Harbour Board), A. T. Manoy, and J. H. Rankin The speakers ' urged that Havelock and the Sounds should be eliminated from the present service between Motueka and Wellington, in view of the large quantities of perishable goods that were now being-ship-ped to the centre of the Dominion! Ihey expressed the opinion that it would not be long before the harbour improvements would be commenced, and they predicted that the district would continue to flourish. The toast of "The Press." was given by Mr A I. Manoy. the representatives of the local and Nelson newspapers responding: "Our Host and llostess " by the Chairman, who complimented Mr Wallace on the excellon spread provided ; and ."The Chairman," proposed by the Hon. R. McKenzie. During tho evening, items were given by Messrs Hanham, R. Wardrop, J. H. Rankin, T Brougham, W. Lane, and C. McFarlane. the prornodiugsconcludine: at midnight with the singing of "Aiild Lang Syne."