Government Blamed.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20477, 1 December 1934, Page 12

Government Blamed.

Hard Times.

Mr Forbes at Cheviot Banquet. (Special to the " Star.”) CHEVIOT, This Day. “ QNE GETS TO LIKE prosperity and one does not welcome a change, and when hard times come it is frequently a case of blaming the Government. I can vouch for that. I suppose it is there to be blamed. One does get downhearted, but I always think that there are many who believe in me and trust me, and it is both a great responsibility and a pleasure in those circumstances.” In these words, Mr -Forbes. Prime Minister, replied to the toast of “ Parliament ” last night at a banquet at Cheviot at which the oldest settlers in the district were honoured. The banquet served a double purpose, for it brought together friends w r ho have been parted in some cases for a score of years or more. The Right lion G. W. Forbes and Mrs Forbes were among the guests, having been among those who took up blocks of land when the Cheviot Estate was cut up for closer settlement, the fortieth anniversary of which was made the reason for 'the gathering. Mr T. Stevenson, chairman of the committee, presided over an attendance* of more than two hundred. The banquet followed an out of doors reunion in the afternoon. Reminiscences of early days, hardships met and overcome, and happy days together were recounted during the evening. The chairman welcomed the visitors. A Monument. In sending an apology for absence the Hon E. A. Ransom. Minister of Lands, said the settlement had proved to be one of the most successful of the Dominion. It stood as a monument to the policy of “ settlement, more settlement and still more settlement.” The toast of “ Parliament ” was proposed by Mr T. H. Wilkinson, who said that if the rest of the members of the House were of the calibre of Mr Forbes and Connolly they could not be far wrong. They liked to think of Mr Forbes throwing aside his Ministerial cloak at the Hurunui Bridge and becoming George Forbes. There had never before been a Prime Minister faced with the problems before the country today, and Mr Forbes was held in the highest esteem for the way in which he had tackled them. The toast was honoured amidst cries of “ Good old George.” Mr Forbes, in reply, said it was pleasing to see, so many there and to receive so many messages of goodwill. He paid a tribute to Mr Connolly, M.P.. who had done his best to fight for everyone. No one had done more for struggling farmers than had Mr Connolly. He lived in deeds as well as words. He was mindful particularly, too, of the interests of returned soldiers. Although the settlers had had difficulties they had enjoyed happy times in the district. For a number of years they had to contend with low prices and other difficulties. The depression had made things hard for Cheviot settlers as for others in New Zealand. but they had managed to pull through. Mr Forbes said that time in Cheviot could be measured in terms of before and after the railway. He referred to the difficulties of transport in the early days, but with the coming of the railway the district had gone ahead rapidly and had never looked back. The motor-car had brought the district nearer still to centres of population. There was no doubt that in their generation th§ settlers had made valuable contributions to the production of the country. “We had to battle against low prices, expensive transport, and thrift and economy had to be the watchword,” said Mr Forbes. “It was a great training for the position I now occupy. When I became Prime Minister the troubles of the country were just coming to a head, and it reminded me very much of old Cheviot days.” On the whole, the settlement had been prosperous. Stock prices now were good, and he was hopeful of an improvement in wool prices. Old Settlers. Mr J. Connolly, M.P., proposed the toast of " Old Settlers.” He said that in Cheviot they had proved their worth. The achievements of Cheviot to-day were a testimony to the skill, endurance and hard work of the pioneers that had given a national stimulus to closer settlement and land development work, the effect of which was not yet entirely dulled. Messrs T. Gee, J. Fleming and H. M. YY hatman replied. Other_ toasts honoured were: “The Visitors, proposed by Mr J. Fleming and responded to by Mr J. F. Quinn: “ Local Bodies,” proposed by Mr T. Wilkinson, jun and responded to by Mr ]. 11. L. Hiatt (County Council), Right Hon G. W. Forbes (Domain Board) and Mr A. C. Fuller (School Committee); ‘‘The Ladies,” proposed by Mr H. M. Hyde and responded to by Mrs T. Stevenson, and “ The Newspapers,” proposed by Mr J. 11. L. Hiatt. A birthday cake with forty-one candles was cut by Mrs T. Wilkinson, the eldest daughter of the late Mrs Joseph Gibson, wife of one of the early settlers, who died only recently. Songs were given by Mrs A. S. Murray, Messrs J. Smith and G. Struthers. and recitations by Miss E. Penhalluriack and Miss Struthers.