BANQUET AT MOTUEKA.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12724, 21 February 1910, Page 2

BANQUET AT MOTUEKA.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING

(By Our Special Reporter.)

On Friday evening at the Post O.i:-* co riotei at Alotucua His Excellency Lord jfiumcet was entertained at a banquet by the Motueka Borough Council and the Waimea ■ County Council. Mr JF. W\ Anorp, Mayor or i.iotueka, presided, and iur P. Best (Chairman of the Waimea County Council) , occupied the vice-chair. About seventy persons were present, including Councillors M. bnnpson, \v. liyder. a. Uroooy, <i- Satherley, K. ctaples and it. i-ry (AiotueKa Borougn Council), Ors G. Macmahon, 1. Hewetson, A. Drummond, and a. Everett (Waimea County Council), Mr W. Boyce (Borough Clerk), Mr b. Blomlield (County C.erk), Mr T. Pattie (Chairman of Motueka Harbour Board), Major Deck, Mr J. S. Evans, B iVL. and representatives of local bodies in all parts of the district, as well as leading citizens of the borough. Among the guests were the Hon it. McKenzie, who is acting as -Minister in attendance on His Excellency during his tour of the district, and Captain Shannon, A.D.C. to His Excellency. The proceedings throughout were most enthusiastic, and His Excellency was most loyally and cordially received. There were only three toasts, "The King," "Our Guest," and "The British Empire and Dominion and Parliament of New. Zealand," and the formal proceedings concluded before ten o'clock.

The usual loyal toast having been honoured, the Chairman proposed the health of His Excellency. He said that it gave them very great pleasure to meet and entertain him. In the back blocks they did not often see the Governdr amongst them. Going back to ancient history it was, Jie thought, in the forties that they had their first visit -from ,a Governor — Sir George Gray — and from that time until a few years ago, when. Lord Ranfurly visited Motueka, they had not had a visit from a Governor. Lord Ranfurly had made it his business to visit different parts of the Dominion, and he -was pleased to see Lord Plunket following his example, as it tended largely to consolidate the Empire and to inspire patriotism. He was also pleased to see His Excellency taking such an interest in the school children— ho was doing his share towards a great national" work, and it behoved them to do their share of the great work promoted by His Excellency. In showing their deference to him they were paying deference to His Majesty, for the homage of the individual showed the homage of the nation. They might establish compulsory training,, but they wanted a spontaneous spirit as well, and it should certainly be part of tho education "of the young people to give them a clear definition of § the monarchy, and what it. represented. In conclusion the Mayor said His Excellency was doing a great national work in the trip he- was undertaking. The toast was honoured with enthusiasm, and His Excellency on rising to respond received a great ovation In thanking them very much for the cordial way in which the toast had been received, and for the kind manner in which it had been proposed, Lord Plunket assured them that at gave him great pleasure to visit that part of the Dominion, which was a most interesting one. He had long wished to visit Motueka, but different difficulties had intervened, andjt was only in the last hour that he had been able to do >so. He hoped they would not think that because lig was going away any little advantages that might have accrued would be lost. "When a Governor went away his usefulness ought not to be gone. Continuing His Excellency said ha. had been struck with the beautiful scenery he had passed through, particularly the Takaka hills. "I don't think it is half advertised," he said. "We all know about Rotorua, the Buller Gorge, and the Wanganui river, but we don't know half enough of the glories of that pass." (Applause). He suggested that the Government might bo induced to make its beauties more widely known, for he felt sure if this was done tourists would be attracted to the district, in thanking the Mayor for thei kind manner in which he had referred to the visit of Lord Ranfurly he said it was hard to come after him, as the former's energy could not be surpassed, but it gave, him groat joy to visit them. There was, he said, no more important! duty than to try and impress on the. young generation the same loyalty to the throne that was in the hearts of the present generation. Wherever lie had been he had found the school teachers perfectly splendid in the way in which they instructed the children about the Empire. In conclusion His Excellency said he was sorry his stay would be so short, hut he thanked them again for their kindness and hospitality, and hoped that their district would continue to progress at the same .rapid rate as it had done in the past. (Prolonged applause.) In proposing "The British Empire," in which was included the Dominion and the Parliament of New Zealand, Or Best (County Chairman), said they all know that the British Empire was the largest in the world, and that upon it the sun never set. If it was not for tho British Empire what would they do with the products of this country? In regard to their representatives, they should be careful to see that they had the right men in the right place. His Excellency was the right man in the right place, and he felt sure in the Hon It. McKenzie, Minister for Public Works, they could not get a better man, as he had a thorough grasp of the duties which devolved upon him. It was their duty to be loyal to the Old County, and they should look to it as a good son did to his parents, and they should at all times be prepared to strike a blow in her defence. (Applause.)

The toast was coupled with the name of Cr Everett (member for the Motueka riding of the Waimea County), Cr Everett responded in a stirring speech. He said that although small they regarded themselves as an integral part of the British Empire, and not as an appendage, and they should be represented in the Imperial Parliament. From this distance they. could look more dispassionately upon affairs at Home. The New Zealand Government, he 'thought, were well advised in taking the first step towards the, defence of the Empire. If compulsory training was a wise step for this Dominion why not have it in the Old Land. He had never met a m» n yet who was not prepared to play his part in the defence of the Empire and he thought the age limit for compulsory training should be extended. It had taken hundreds of .years to form the Empire, and it was for. them' to maintain their proud position. If all other Empires, without exception, found it necessary' for self protection to arm their population it seemed preposterous to think that one nation could detfend itself by paid men. As to Parliament, in their representative they had an excellent member, and in regard to Parliament, whether it should be the present Government or the present Opposition in power, he hoped in the event of hostilities they would show a united front. (Applause.)

Lord Plunket then proposed the health of the Chairman and - viceCrJainnan, and when they had responded the formal portion of the proceedings terminated. r,

During the banquet tho harmony of the evening was contributed to by. Mr Thorp junr., and Mr Everett.

■\~~ His Excellency and the official visitors having retired a couple of hours were spent in sooial intercourse. - The .spread prepared reflected the greiatest credit upon Mr. J. A. Wallace, the proprietor of tho Post Office Hotel, and his staff, and many enconiuma wore passed on his ability as a caterer.