BANQUET TO MR FELIX McGUIRE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9029, 11 March 1891, Page 2

BANQUET TO MR FELIX McGUIRE.

[by our special reporter.] A banquet was given to Mr Felix McGuire, the recently elected member for Egmont, on Tuesday nighfc and was held in the Stratford Town Hall. Tho commodious Town Hall was splendidly arranged for the occasion. There were three tables, one down each aide of the Hall, and a third placed crosswise at the top. There was seating accommodation for fully 150 persona. A number of Chinese lanterns were hung round tho hall, the walls were tastefully decorated with flags, and the tables were profusely set-off with floral decorations. Over the stage were to be seen the words "Advanco Stratford," which, considering the progress the town and district have made and arc making, conveyed no empty meaning. Tho stage was especially reserved foi ladies who mustered in fair number to witness the proceedings. The catering for the banquet was in the hands of Messrs Blower (licensee cf the Stratford Hotel) and P. Cramer (baker and confectioner), the latter supplying the solids and tho former the liquids. Their catering was excellent, and the way everything in connection with the banquet was carried out reflected the highest credit on them. The train from New Plymouth took down a fair number of visitors to tho banquet, among whom was Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R. for New Plymouth. The train from Wanganui brought up tho Premier (Hon. J. Ballance), Mr Gr. Hutchison, M.H R. (member for Waitotara), and Mr Felix McGruire, M.H R. (member for Egmont). The Hon. P. Buckley (Attorney-General), was on •the train, but he proceeded on to New Plymouth, and thence went on by steamer to Auckland. Among the other visitors present were Messrs C. Finnerty, C. E. Major, R. 0. Hendy, A Reid, J. J. Elwin, Guy, J Irvine, R. Wheeler, D. McQueeD, N. McQueen, J. O'Neil, Ni Johnston, J. Belcher, R. Bruce, W. Brooking, W. Doughty, H. Webber, A. Bayly, Barleyman, Porter, Gougb, Capper, Schierney, Micheli, Hannah, Tooher, Throssell, O'Connor, Parkhouse, Noblo, W. G. Malone, P. Johnston, McKenzie, Harris, and Rawlinson. Tho Press was fully represented. Tha chair was occupied by Mr E. G. Allsworth, the chairman of Mr McGuire's Stratford Election Committee, and Messrs H. Mehaffy, W. L. Tocker, E. Barton, and C. Finnerty occupied the vice chairs. After the viands were done justice to, and-the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were honored, Tho Chairman proposed the toaßt of tho evening, namely, " The Member for Egmont," but before speaking to it ho read apologies for absence from the following gentlemen: — Mr Marchant, chairman of the Stratford County Council; Mr Mcßeynolds, of Pungarehu ; Captain Wilson, of Okaiawa; Mr District Judge Kettle ; Mr J. Livingston ; Mr G. F. Robinson, Crown Lands Ranger ; and a telegram from the Hon. R. J. Seddon. Tn proposing the toast of the evening tho Chairman said Mr McGuire was pretty familiarly known to them all, and as one who had the reputation of sticking to his guns. Mr McGuire had thrice contested the Egmont seat, and on the third and last occasion he had succeeded. (Applause.) The Liberal cause had triumphed, not only in Stratford but throughout the district in the late contest. (Applause/) Ho then referred to Mr McGuire's connection as a member of the old Provincial Council, and he ventured to say that if tho Council had taken Mr McGuire's views at that time the district would not now be suffering from the obnoxious harbor rate. (Applause). The Council did not tako his advice, however, and now they were suffering from a rate that would have been averted had Mr McGuire's views on harbor matters been accepted and acted upon by the Council. He then referred to the fact that Mr McGuire was known to the district in other capacities. Mr McGuiro was the first Mayor of Hawera, and also the first Chairman of the Hawora County Council, in both of which positions of honor he had given a good account of himself. In conclusion, lie predicted that if Mr McGuire continued in the course he was now going they would never repent the selection of him as their representative. (Applause.) The toast was then drunk with musical honors. Mr MoGuire, who was received with great applause, said: — Mr Chairman and Gentlemen, — With all my heart I thank you for the kind manner in which you have proposed my health; for the many kind, flattering, and encouraging words you have said about me this evening; for the kind and sympathetic manner in which you responded to all the complimentary remarks of the Chairman; for the enthusiastic manner in which you have drunk tny health; and also for the many practical' proofs of your kindness that I have experienced on other occasions. I only wisli I were more fully deserving of those many tokens of your regard. I cannot but feel that any energy which I may have displayed, and any services which I may have rendered, have always received a most generous interpretation at your hands. Whatever public matters I may have thought required attention and redress, or whatever matter I took a part in, you have been alwaya good enough to magnify my strongest deeds, and to overlook my weakest. Should lin the future be able to assist in removing from off tho settlers that crying injustice, the Taranaki harbour rate, 1 shall never forget that it was a portion of the people of Egmont who (standing shoulder to shoulder under great difficulties) gave me the opportunity to be of service to them, and to enter that Parliament of what I am proud to be a member. 1 assure you that I feel that I have done less than I should have liked to have done ; but one thing I can say with truth, and it is, that if I nave not done all you have attributed to me, I have done my best, Two thirds- of my life have been spent in tho Provincial District of Taranaki, and its interests have been always dear to me. The promotion of those interests have been one of the chief objects of my life. Although I cannot venture to hope that I shall do all you predict, although I may be unable to fulfill your expectations, I hope that I shall not forfeit your confidence. There are no doubt many tilings which I may be unable to accomplish, but I promise you to do my best. Gentlemen, this district offers great advantages to the small farmers, and would be prevented from falling into the hands of large landholders if the Railway Commissioners would act in the true interest of the colony, were they to meet the settlors of this district and agree upon a tariff tha*. would help the small struggling farmers in the early years of their efforts. Tho climate of this province is very healthy and pleasant ; the scenery in many parts is beautiful, and culminates in the grand snow clad cone of Mount Egmont, which is visible from every part of tho province, and upon which the eye may ever rest with untiring pleasure. New Zealand possesses 1 e<ery natural advantage in the making of butter and cheese. We have here a very temperate climate — never * very hot in summer, and not excessively cold in winter — with abundance of pure water. We havo good soil and excellent pasture I would not bo in favour of a land tax, because I think the land has already a sufficient burden to bear, but I would be in favour of exempting improvements from the property tax on buna tide settlers, because I consider such exemptions both just and equitable. I would, however, make the tax on unimproved land whether European or Native progreisiva. riling tho j t*s In prpporticn fa fa ost?at « mvb. k*4

hold by any —individual, bank, or company. The climate and soil are admitted by all who possess any experience to be most favorable to the growth of artificial grasses, and to the roots which are s ometimes used for the winter feeding. The settlers on tho coast possess a good breed of co .\ s, which, during the last few years, have been considerably improved. It is true that the markets in the neighbouring colonies are uncertain ; we must, therefore, direct our attention to the English market/ which has an annual import of butter and cheese of £15,000,000. In conclusion, I would say let us keep shoulder to shoulder and make of this province, as nature intended, one of the most prosperous and thriving portions of the colony. All that is wanted is prudence, patience, industry, fair laws, and the lapse of a few years more to place us in the van of New Zealand's prosperity. I again thank you with all my heart most sincerely for the generous manner in which you have drunk my health. Mr Barton then proposed " The Liberal Party," coupled with the name of the Hon. J. Ballance. (Applause). This toast, he pointed out, was intimately connected with the late election. He then referred to the opinion given effect to by some newspapers, that they were all alike, and that there was no real distinction between the parties. He pointed out that Mr J. Bryce spoke recently in a dispar=ging way of the one man one vote principle, and as long as such utterances were made by members of the so-called Conservative party then there would be always a great distinction. (Applause). Another distinction between the parties, he instanced, was the fact that under the land administration of the late Government dummyism was in vogue, and as the Liberal party gave a pure land policy, then that was a decided difference. There was also a great difference in the native administration of the two parties. All they had to do was to work shoulder to shoulder, and be true to eoch other now they had a Liberal Government in power, who had the real interests o± the peoplo at heart. (Applause.) The toast was accompanied by the chorus, '* For he's a jolly good fellow." The Premier, in reply, acknowledged ; the toast on behalf of the Liberal party ' throughout the colony, who, he said, were known by their works, which ought to be a distinguishing test. This was a sure and certain test. (Applause.) The Liberal party was not one of revolution, but one of re'erm. It was said that the Liberal party if they got into power would do all sorts of outlandish things, and would do things that barbarians might do. It would not take much ability, he predicted, to do more than had been dope during the last three years. (Applause.) . They had (something more than a paper policy, as the Liberal party would have a more comprehensive scheme for the good of the people. He said that he would go further than Mr McGoire, and hoped that the ladies would have the right to exercise the political franchise ere long. It was said that if they got this, the ladies would be dominated by the priests and the par sons. He repelled such a calumny, and believed that the ladies would exercise their right in a clear and proper manner. (Applause.) He condemned certain illiberal views that were given utterance to in the election contest by the opposite side, viz., that "swaggers," so-called, should not have votes. The franchise was in itself an elevating right, and if a man Tesided in a district for the specified period he certainly considered that such a man had a perfect right to exercise the franchise. (Applause.) Ho added that he intended to refer to some local matters. There was the harbor rate. He did not, however, intend to make promises. They bad been told that the rate would not be levied for 20 years. [A Voice: 26 year—J Well, 26 years, and this period had been anticipated by about 23 years. They had Mr MeGuire, and their other members, Messrs Hutchison and Smith, who would urge on the question of the harbor rate. Mr Smith was a man of great energy, perseverance, and intelii gence, and he had won his position by fearless ene ;ry — (applause) — and he commanded respect in the House. Then there was Mr Hutchison, who was a host in himself. If these gentlemen relieved them of, at any rate, a portion of this obnoxious rate, then they would have done a signal service. (Applause.) If Mr McGuire could take this rate off, it would be a lasting memorial of his political efforts. He trusted that the members would leave no stone unturned to achieve this object. It was impossible to get any relief in the last Parliament on the harbor rate. He had known Mr McGuire for 26 years, and he always had found him an upright gentleman. (Applause). He then referred to two banquets that were to be heldio connection with the same contest. The present one given by electors of Egmont to Mr McGuire, and the other was to be given to Mr Bruce, the defeated candidate, by settlers of Marton, who had no connection with Egmont. He marked the contrast. There were some other points he would like to refer to. There was the one man one vote principle, which he had always supported. They no doubt had come to the conclusion that the right of voting should be enjoyed by the people who lived in the district, and not out of it. He said that there was one thing wanting, and that was that the principle should also apply to a by-election as v/ell as a general election. This was marked in the by-election for Egmont. He thought that an amendment in this direction would be for the benefit of the people. (Applause). He then referred to the native land question. Ho was against Europeans acquiring lands from the natives, as it tended to land monopoly. Unless a man bad large capital he could not acquire land. His policy was that there should be the same privileges to a email man acquiring 200 acre 3as to a man who should acquire 1000 acres. (Applause) A bill would be brought in on this question. The Premier then referred to the honorarium paid for last session. He considered the late Government were responsible for this session. The next session would be a long one, and for this only one-half of the honorarium would be paid. They had been working hard since the adjournment, and it would take the Ministry the fuU four months to get their policy and bills in shape. He said that if those against the payment of the honorarium were consistent then they should have left the money in the treasury as conscience money. If they did this then he would have said that they were consistent. One gentleman, however, after deducting .expenses did distribute the balance of his honorarium among institutions in his constituency, and thereby made his re-election again sure by means of public money. This gentleman was in receipt, he had heard, of A' 30,000 a year. He then referred to borrowing, and considered that the necessities of the colony called on them to restrain themselves in this respect, and give the colony a rest. They would have to exercise a self restraint in this respect. Tho question of the farmers and a Liberal policy was one of £s d. He thought with Mr McGuire that a change of the it.cidence of taxation should not mean an increase of taxation to this class. If the policy of the Liberal party was to reduce the taxation for the farming clans, then that was a sure test of tho efficiency of the policy. The Conservative party mixed all laud parties up, but be pointed J out there was a great distinction between the bonafide settler and the speculator. He did not think a single tax cojld be imposed at once, as it would coc bring in sufficient revenue at or.cc, but it was a thing they could work up to. A Liberal land polioy, he thought, would prevent an exodus of population and ctacreoie

charitable aid, as the iinemployed in the towns would go upon the land. This, he remarked, was the result of the villago settlement in Auckland. Tho Premier touched upon other subjects, and concluded a telling speech amidst great applause. Mr Finnerty in a neat speech proposed the toast of " The Ministry." The Premier replied briefly, stating that they had had two members of the Ministry in this electorate, and they were good samples of the whole. (Applause). Ho refuted the calumny that tho Liberal party had not material to make a Ministry, and pointed out that they had material to make two Ministries if such a thing was necessary. (Applause). He concluded by stating that it would be the aim of the Ministry to work for the good of the colony. (Applause.) Mr Tocker proposed " Tho Parliament of New Zealand," and in the course of a few well-connected remarks he pointed ont what, in his opinion, were matters that would tend to the benefit of the greatest I number. He favored an elective Governor. The toast was coupled with the names of Messrs G. Hutchison and E. M. Smith. Mr G. Hutchison referred to the grand j triumph of the Liberal party at the lato election, which was, ho said, a triumph for Democracy. He dwelt on the fact that even the typical "swagger" mentioned in tho course of the evening might oven aspire to a seat in the House. Mr Smith, the member for Now Plymouth, was the greatest living testimony of what a man conld do with bold and fearless independence. The toast was one which he considered should meet with the approbation of all present. (Applause). Mr E. M. Smith, who was also received with applause, stated that he intende J to represent his constituency with dignity and honor. He considered that the present House compared very favorably with any Hoase that had been elected since New Zealand got her Constitution, and he now hoped that those liberal measures would be passed which he had always advocated. He favored an elective Governor. With respect to the statement that they had not good enough men in the colony for the position of elective Governor, he pointed out that Sir George Grey, tho Hon J. Ballance, and Sir Robert Stout were good and capable men for the position. Speaking of the appointments to the Upper House made by the late Ministry, he said that it was unconstitutional and a distinct breach of the agreement entered into by the late Premier, and the present Premier. He considered that this undue influence in the Upper House of the Conservative party should becounter-balanced by appointments by the present Ministry. Attacks had been made on him by persons and certain newspapers, but he would survive such attacks, and would progress when his detractors were politically dead. He referred to the mineral wealth of the Taranaki district, and said there was sufficient in it to pay the debt of the colony over and over again. Mr Smith spoke at great length, and was frequently applauded. Mr J. J. Elwin stated, that he had a toast to propose, which would refer to most of those present, namely, " The Stratford Town and County." In speaking of the district he dwelt on the fertility of the soil and its many other natural advantages, and trusted that now a Liberal Ministry was in power they would progress as they had done under former Liberal Governments. He coupled the toast with the names of Messrs Burgess, Irvine, and Reid. Each of the gentlemen named returned thanks in a few well-chosen remarks. Mr Major proposed, " The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests," and pointed out that the to pursuits which the toast ref erred were ones on which this district chiefly depended, and he was glad to see that these interests were going ahead fast in this County of Stratford. He referred to the Pukengahu and Ngaire Blocks as ones that were checking the progress of tlu district, as they were locked up, and ho thought that these should bo acquired by the present Government and cut up for settlement; also to the direct frozen meat trade from this district, which had now become regular, and was, so far, highly successful. He made reference to a few oth^r subjects, and concluded by coupling Mr Hendy's name with the toast. Mr Hendy suitably replied. He said that he had been over the whole of the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, and he fiad come to the conclusion that they were in the best district in the whole of the colonies; anyone settling in this district wonld find it so at the end of twelve months. Song — Mr Doughty. Song — Mr H. Ladd. Mr Porter proposed " The Commercial Interests," which was responded to by Mr Major, who made a few pertinent remarks Song — Mr Rawlinson. The toast of '• The Ladies" was proposed by Mr J/A. Harris, who spoke a few words to the point, and was responded to by Mr H. Mehaffy, who hoped the ladies would vote for him as soon as they got the franchise. Song — Mr Doughty. Mr W. J. Barleyman gave the toast of " The Press," which was drank with musical honors and responded to by Messrs Yorke, McKenzie, Pardy, and Allsworth ; and Mr Mehaffy the toast of "The Guests." The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought the proceedings to a close at 1 a.m.