PROTECTION BANQUET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6315, 13 August 1888, Page 4

PROTECTION BANQUET.

THE WELLINGTON GATHERING. A GEEAT SUCOESS. i [Pan. Pbess Association.! WELLINGTON, August 12. The Industrial Banquet was held last evening at the Drillshed, at which about a thousand were present. Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald, President of the Industrial Association, occupied the chair, supported on his right by Sir Maurice O'Eorke, Speaker of the Hous9 of Eepresentativee, and Sir Q. Whitmore, M.L.C, and on his .left by the Hon G. 1 Fisher, Minister for Education, and Sir John Hall. The table at which the Chairman presided ran across the top of the hall, and was occupied by members of both branches of the Legislature and the City Councillors. About thirtyfive members of both Houses were present. Eight other tables ran the whole length of the building, at which were seated members of the local Industrial Association, local manufacturers, employees at local industrial works, and the general public. The whole of toe food provided was of Colonial manufacture or preparation, and was presented to the Banquet Committee by producers and manufacturers in different parts of the Colony. About eight hundred sat down to dinner, but a large number had to content themselves with standing room. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, Mr Dransfield, VicePresident of the Industrial Association, proposed the toast of THE HINISTBY, to whom he gavo credit for carrying out the wishes of the people aa expressed at the late election. The Hon G. Fisher, who wao received with loud applause, said he took it from the remarks of the proposer of the toast that the Ministry had won alike their gratitude and support for introducing a policy which would assist the local industries of the Colony. Although that policy was distasteful to large numbers of their supporters in the House, he wa3 proud to say that they had not retaliated on the Government in any unworthy manner. (Cheer.-.) He believed the policy initiated by the Government would result in the greatest possible good to the country. (Cheers). Mr C. M. Luke proposed the toast of THE PARLIAMENT OF NEW ZEALAND, which had ever possessed members of the highest bearing — men who were worth their admiration and worthy the land of their adoption. (Cheers). Sir G. M. O'Eorke said that six months ago he could not haye believed that such a gathering, held as it. was to celebrate the achievement of a policy so dear to many of them, was possible. The Freetrader?, although they had not accepted the invitation to be ; present on that occasion, would be as gratified as thoy if their dearest aspirations were realised. He was glad that Parliament bad determined to try_ if a system of Protection would prove a remedy for the ills which had affected the Colony. (Cheers.) It had been said that in adopting Protection they were creating a monopoly for manufacturers, but he said they were breaking down the monopoly long held by foreign industries, and at the same time creating avenues of employment j j for the population of the Colony. (Cheer 3.) ! Sli* G. Whibmore alao responded. The j Hon J. Ballance proposed the I PASTORAL AND AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS ! of New Zealand. If any advantago were conferred on New Zealaud by the tariff j which had just become law, it had been won by the agriculturists of the Colony, for without the representation of the agricultural districts the Protective tariff would not have been in force to-day. Tbey ought to recognise the great doctrine that betweon town and country there was an indiacolublelink, whioh could not be broken without injury to both. (Cheers.) The farmer had for a long time looked to foreign markets for the sale of his produce, but now would be able to look to the home market for consumption of hi 3 produce. (Cheers.) Town and country must go hand in hand in this question of Protection. (Cheers.) They had now brought together two great industries, the agricultural and pastoral and the manufacturing industries, and had thus opened a field of enterprise which would lay the foundation of great wealth for the Colony. (Cheers.) Mr Lanco, M.H.E., responded on behalf of the pastoral interests, and Mr Walker, M.H.E., on behalf of the agricultural interests. Both speakers referred to the absurdity of i having no Department of Agriculture represented by a Minister, seeing that the pastoral and agricultural pursuits were really the backbone, of the Colony. Mr W. M'Lean proposed the toast of the MINING INTERESTS OP NEW ZEALAND. !Mr Seddon, M.H.E., in responding to the toast, said he had been informed by visitors returning from the Melbourne Exhibition, that the New Zealand display of minerals was an exhibition of incompetence. Dr Fitchett proposed the toast, THE MANUFACTURES OF NEW ZEALAND. They had recently fought a great fight and won a great victory. (Cheers.) If they wished to make New Zealand a great nation, they musb see that those who lived in the country bad work upon which to live. (Cheers.) He referred to the statement that Protection heightened cost, but the experience of the woollen industries, which bad grown np under a system of Protection, proved otherwise. (Cheers.) The Hon Mr Larnach, M.H.K., responded to the toast. He said his past experience proved to his satisfaction that a policy of Protection was necessary for the advancement and welfare of the Colony. He hoped the country would remain steadfast to the policy now inaugurated. (Cheers.) Mr Mose, M.H.E., proposed the toaßt, The INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS of New Zealand. The most ardent supporters of the Protective proposal had been the yonng New Zealandocs, who might be presumed to be good judges of the necessities of tho rising 'generation. (Cheers.) Ho believed Protection would give us wealth ; but great vigilance waa necessary in the futuro to build up those industries, the foundations of which were now laid. (Cheers.) Mr Kennedy M'Donald responded to the toast. Those Associations extended from Auckland to the Bluff, and embraced all parts of the Colony. Great gratification would be afforded these Associations when they learned that the banquet had been such an unqualified success, as they had now demonstrated that in tho matter of food New Zealand could supply itself. (Cheers.) It was a glorious celebration of victory, but with the view of burying the hatchet at the festive board now that the battle was won— (cheers j) — and for this reason he regretted that the Freetrade members had nob responded to the invitation to be present. The " Presa," " Chairman," and " Management Committee " closed the toast list, j and the company separated at 11.30 p.m. [FEOM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] The Protectionist banquet last night was in many respects a great success. The Drillshed, which is about three times the size of the Oddfellows' Hall, Christchurch, was just as full aa it could hold, and the General Assembly was well represented. Though a good deal of chaff has been expended over the Native viands, which were supposed to be certain to deal out death and destruction among the assembled multitude, the food nevertheless seemed to be quiet as wholesome and attractive as it usually is at public banquets. I have known dinners given under the auspices of Chambers of Commerce whero the commissariat has been infinitely worse. Wines and spirits were, however, rigidly oscluded, and those . who could not allay their thirst with Colonial beer, aerated beverages, or Te Aroha mineral water, were in a pitiable case indeed. I saw one or two members of the Upper House leave early. Perhaps that was the reason. After dessert, cups of Auckland grown tea were handed round. I did not venture, but a neighbour of mine, after shaking hands with his friends and giving directions to a solicitor present about proving his will, made a daring trial. He professed to be quite satisfied, but, like the Legislative Councillors did not stay late. The- band in the gallery, discoursed

excellent music of an appropriate kind. After the health of the Ministry had been drunk, ifc struck up fche well-known air, "Then You'll Eemember Me," whereat several Ministerial supporters nodded approvingly, and looked at the Hon G. Fisher, the Cabinet's solitary representative. Mr Fisher smiled a meaning smile. Between nine and ten o'clock, the crowd was far too great for accommodation, and i numbers of lads and boys, who had been unfortunately let in to watch the proceedings, walked about in search o£ seats and food, making a noise and clatter which effectually prevented any speakers from being heard except Mr Kennedy M'Donald, who is a practical auctioneer, and has a voice to which Mr John Matson's is a trifle. Sir M. O'Eorke also showed what vocal power can do, but Mr Ballance and Sir G". Whitmore spoke to the reporters only. In Mr Ballance's case this was a misfortune, as his speecii was well worth hearing. Towards tea ; o'clock the restless portion of the audience i gradually departed, and Mr J. D. Lance, ; mounted on a chair, succeeded in enchain- J ing his audience's attention by skilfully ' blending good humour with Anglo-Saxon ' expletives of the most vigorous descrip- j tioa. Mr Lance's word picture of the natural and unnatural habits of the rabbit, and of the bungling incompetence of the Sheep Department, was worth listening to. Mr Walker spoke well, and Dr Fitchett made the best Bpeech of the evening. Mr Guinness, M.H.R., in proposing "The Press," spoke very warmly of the services rendered by the Lyttelton Times to the Protectionist cause. It was, he said, the only leading paper in New Zealand which had been true to Protection from first to lest.