THE TAIHAPE BANQUET.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 19 December 1907, Page 5

THE TAIHAPE BANQUET.

THE PREMIER'S SPEECH

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "Chronicle.")

TAIHAPE, December 18

At the banquet tendered to the Premier last night, in connection with the ceremony oi1 opening the new Post Office, Sir Joseph Ward, on rising to acknowledge the toast of his health, was enthusiastically received. After expressing in very felicitous words lite thanks to the people of Taihapo disI iriofc for the kind welcome extended to him. ho went on to speak of the district's prosperity, which he said had astonished him. The same tale of prosperity applied to the whole Dominion, there not being a single branch of the revenue that was not increasing. The country had never been in such a. solid and prosperous state as at present. Referring to the fact that the people of j the Dominion had investments in banks and in the Post Office Savings Bank amounting to 31 millions. Sir Joseph! said the Dominion was not now dependent upon British depositors, and consequently was not troubled by financial crises which might cccur at Home. Though America was oh the edge of a financial cyclone, New Zealand wag not •affected. It was the bounder* duty of sill parties to do everything possible to maintain a strong financial position* So : far as the Government was concerned this had always been their honest en* deavour and object. He was not going to deal with local politics, but in passi ing would remark that he thought the ■ Gaming Bill would be for the benefit of i the- mass of the people, especially the young people; that in connection with the superannuation of civil servants, he hoped these servants, when they reached retiring ago. would have earned that which would keep them independent during their declining years. Sir Joseph then went on ttv speak of the necessity for improving the trading facilities between the Dominion and the Old Counti'.y. He spoke of the Suez Canal—that toll bar which prevented frozen meat or other produce being taken to Engjland by the shortest route. Were such a toll bar to exist on the land the peoplo would rise in revolt. .He spoke in stirring language of the" Dominion's right to have ia voice in this matter, and advocated that we should' at least have one representative on the Canal Bomrd of Directors. People at Home wore allowing the system of greed and avarice to stand in the way of progress of our country. Sir Joseph, continuing this subject, said that when the Panama Canal was completed the Snez Canal 'would receive a tremendous blow. Speaking of Australia's efforts to exlian'd her trade, Sir' Joseph said New Zealand must not lag bahind, but endeavour to 'keep abreiast of the other great producing countries. The _ Premier then went on to speak of railway affairs. Ho said it had been decided to issue through tickets (includingl coach faros) from "Wellington" to Auckland. This took effect on the 16th instant. and he felt convinced it would result in a great increase- of business. Another decision had boen arrived at which would increase the popularity of the line. From January Ist the train that now left Taihape would leave at 7. This would allow people to stay overnight at Taihape. instead of Waionru. and reach Taumarunui next day. completing their journey on tho third day. The

j revenue- on tlio line had increased £26,- ---} 651, and when the line was completed (as it would be before this time next year), ho anticipated a very large increase*. Before concluding, Sir Joseph gavo voice to an idea which had been suggested to him. viz., that the people of the Dominion should subscribe money necessary for re-erection of Parliamentary Buildings, recently destroyed by fire. He drew attention to the fact that the- buildings were the property of tin, people of- the Dominion, and he thought it would bf> a fine tiling if the people took up the idea suggested by him. Subscriptions should ITe limited to a sovereign. He clommonded the ideia to the co-operation cif tho Press It would create a fine effect upon the. outsido world if it was known that while the Dominion could afford to reerect ito Parliament Buildings, on a scale befitting their importance, the people had themselves subscribed the necessary money. Sir Josephi then wished the district evmy success, and expressed the hope that he would be able to visit it frequently