WHAT THE PENNY POSTAGE HAS DONE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8833, 21 January 1907, Page 4

WHAT THE PENNY POSTAGE HAS DONE.

• In conclusion, he thanked Mr Boweii for his words of wisdom, and for the prediction he had made, a prediction which he hoped would be fulfilled. v The notice of motion in regard to a universal penny postage would have the effect of bringing the subject before th« responsible men at the head of the Governments, and he hoped that some morning the people would learn that France and Britain' had entered into a restricted treaty on the subject. Ho was convinced that it would help to bring the peoples together. If the representative of the Imperial Government reoognised that every class in the community could communicate at the cost of the nimble penny, great good would be done, and he would humbly impress upon; him that the penny postage system had been a great success in New Zealand. " The commercial men believe in it. The girle_ certainly believe in it, because marriages have increased in number since it was I introduced. That ought to be an irresistible argument to <Jie people of the Old Land, who. have a lot of daughters whom they are anxious to ccc married well. (Laughter.) If the penny postage can. <i<> anything at all, it can make a man commit' himself who would not do so in ordinary cl—rumstances. • "I will carry away from Christchurch the happy memories of a happy evening, spent in happy conditions, ' he added. "If a public man needs any incentive, it is recognition of the fact 1 that many men who do not agree with him in public ,life agree to gather around the festive table, to shake him by the hand, and to express & wish that he mighty return, in good health and happiness, a sentiment which Mr Bowen has ably expressed in an admirable speech." (Applause.) THE CITY'S VISITORS. Mr Reeco proposed " The Visitors." New Zealand might be a little colony, and its people a little people, he eaid, but it would not take second place with anyone in regard to treating visitors with hospitality. New Zealanders came back from the Mother Country and other parts of the world, and said that they had only' to say that they came from New Zealand to be received wijih open arms. Some visitors, he pointed out, made a flying trip, saw perhaps one city, and then proceeded forthwith to write a history of New Zealand ; but he was glad to note that the visitors here at present were inquiring into all the colony's conditions and circumstances. The toast was coupled with the names of Dr Findlay, Captain Atk*in and the Hon A. A. Kirkpatrick. Dr Findlay spoke briefly but humor-, ously', and said that he was delighted with Christchurch and its suroundings. The citizens had always shown him the heartiest and most unqualified kindness.. . • Captain Atkin eaid that he was very pleased to have an opportunity of attending the gathering, and of doing honour to the , Prime Minister of the colony. He took advantage of the occasion to thank those gentlemen of Christchurch — and also the ladies — who had shown him so much kindness, hospitality and goodwill since he had ar-" rived in the city, three or four months ago. ; Mr Kirkpatrick said he felt that it was a very great pleasure to be able to do honour, even in a small way, to the guest of the evening. Sir Joseph Ward, had more than a local reputation. New Zealanders and Australians were all citizens of one great Empire. The only thing that divided the two countries was that 1200 miles of sea-, yrater. They lived under one Crown and one flag, and they had one destiny. He was grateful for the courtesy and hospitality extended to him. THE MAYOR- OF CHRISTCHURCH. Mr Race proposed. "The. Mayor of Christchurch," and expressed the gratitude of the Canadian representatives for what had been done for them in New Zealand, and deep regret at the ill-health of Sir John Hall. -He felt that there was every reason to hope that the visit of the Canadian Commissioners to New Zealand would meet with a great deal of success in the direction of extending trade 'between the two countries. Mr Payling, in responding, said that he regretted that Sir John Hall had not been able to attend the gathering. Sir John was an ex-Premier, and as in former times he took an active and a, prominent part in politics it would have been fitting that he should extend to their guest the wishes of the citizens for success in the mission upon which he was about to enter, and which was fraught with deep interest for the colonies and for the Empire as a whole. It was a pleasure to find that the citizens of so important a part of the colony as Christchurch had met together to epeed the Premier on his journey and to express to him the deep interest they felt in the result of the Conference. "Auld'Lang Syne" was sung, and cheers were given for Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward. The Premier left shortly afterwards, and caught the late steamer to Wellington.