West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Saturday 27 August 1910, page 9


LUNCHEON ON THE KOOMBANA. SOME INTERESTING SPEECHES. ML MOXON AND PARLIAMENTARY CRITICISM. On the invitation of Mr. W. E. Moxon, the general manager in Western Australia for the Adelaide Steamship Company, Ltd., a representativo gathering of members of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce and the Australasian Steamship Owners' Feds ration was entertained at luncheon on the company's north-west steamer Koombana at Fremantle yesterday. The repast was given in honour of the return from England of the Premier (Sir Newton Moore) and the Collector of Customs (Mr. Clayton T. Mason), but unfortunately the former gentleman was prevented by his official duties in Perth from attending the funeticn. The Ministry was, however, reprerented by the Minister for Works (Mr. -Frank Wilson M.L.A.) and the AttorneyGeneral (Mr. J. L. Nanson, M.L.A.). The' luncheon was served in the Koombana's nagnifixent dining saloon, and after a most delectable collation the chairman (Mr. Moxon) proposed the toast of "King George V.," which was honoured with loyal enthusiasm. In proposing the toast of "Our Visitors' Mr. Moron said the etiquette of court mourning presented His Excellency the Governor from being present, and he, regretted that the Premier was also unabl'e to be with them. They desired to congratulate Sir Newton Moore on the honour which had been conferred upon him, as the result of his visit to the old country,.and also as the- result of the good work he had done for Western Astralia. (Hear, hear.) They were extremely proud to have such a worthy representative of the Government as Mr. WiiLon. (Hear, hear.) They were able to appreciate the work which Mr. Wilson had performed as Acting-Premier during Sir Newton Moore's absence in England. Neither the Chamber of Commerce nor the shipping companies had ever asked the Government for fiAancial assistance. Their demands had simply been in the direction of enabling the wheels of commerce to revolve a little more smoothly; and in connection. with any concessions they had asked for Mr. Wilson. had always given them a sympathatin hearing. More than that could not be espected from any Government. They were also pleased to welcome Mr. Nanson. The office which Mr. Nanson held was one of high responsibility, and required to be ,dministered with equanimity. In this respect, in view of recent circumstances, Mr. Nanson appeared to possess exceptional qualifications. (Laughter and applause.) To their dear old friend Mr. Cyton Mason they desired to extend a most cordial welcome. There were many present who had a most affectionate regard for Mr. Mason-(hear, hear)-and those who had been elosely associated with himn in years gone by were sincerely glad to see him back m W eiern Awutralia, and as they hoped, fully restored to health. (Hear, hear.) He was pleased also to associate with the toast Mr. ,Hadmas, the Deputy Postmaster-General, who had "rown grey in the service.-' It might be wished that departmental heads in the State had a little more authority, or asm much authority as they had in the good old pre-Federal days. Then. perhaps. the commercial commumnity would not be subjected to so many vexatious delays. The duplication of the. telegraph line between Feak H.ll and:, Nullagine was apparently hung up, beeatse of a friendly argument between the State Government and the Federal Government as to who was to pay the cost of the survey. The line was an urgent public necessity, and he hoped the two Governments would soon come to an understanditg on the matter. (Hear, hear.) The Minister for Works, in acknowledging the- toast, expressed his gratification at meeting again his dear old friend,-Mr. Clayton Mason. He was indee pleased to wecome him back to Western)Australia, and he' hoped that his health had been fully restored, and that he would .e amongst them for many years to come. He had to polosie for the absence of the Premier. unfortunately that day was deputation day, and Sir Newton's many official engagements prevented himh from being present. The Premier, however, had asked him to ray how. delighted he would have been to have -accepted-their hospitality and receive their kind wishes and congratulations. 'Sir Newton's colleagues valued exceedingly the expressions cf, good-will: which had -been evinced towards the Premier ever since his return from thL old country. They realised that the peopre of Western Australia had summed up the good work he had done in the old country for. the State. If there was one man in the State who had got the weL fare of Western Australia at heart, it was Sir Newton Moore. No matter what others had done. no matter what his colleagues had done. he itobd foremost as a man who had achieved great work bn. behalf of West? ern Australia. .(Applause.) " Notwithstandiag that sometimes they had been charged with blowing their own trumpet,, the Government felt proud of ,the great policy of land. settlement and mineral development v hich had taken place d~ring the last four or five years. and this .too, in a time of great financial strers. That policy he hoped would be pushed forward in spite of any feelings of hoetility which might be aroused Their one object was to dev elop the vast resources of Western Australia, bring people here in greater and ever increasing numbers, and advance the well-being of every man, woman and child in the State. (Hear, hear.) They anticipated a record wheat harvest in.the coming season, and the Goyernment had taken such steps as he hoped woulenable the Harbour Trust and te Railrway Department fully to cope with the trafic. Mr. Moxon, who he knew was a man without bowels-oud laughter)

Mr. Mozaon: I rise to a point of order. The Minister for Works: Well, I withdraw. (Renewed, laughter.) He knew Mr. Mozon had been accused of being a man without bowels. (Laughter.) He, however, had known Mr. Moron for a number of years, and while he was certainly a man who could holdsup his own end of the stick he had never ?cen m him that want of compassion and consideration which others had accused him of having. He .believed Mr. Mozon had always done his best to promote the welfare of Western Australia. Knowing that in doing so bhe was also serving the interests of the Adelaide Steamship Company. (Hear, hear.) He did not want to see individual enterprise and energy dwarfed in any way. (Hear, hear.) Individual enterprise meant success and progress to a country, and so long as we possessed the enterprise which made Western Australia what she.was to-day, they need have no fear as to the future of the State. (Applause.) The Attorney-Generl, in responding, remarked that it was an agreeable interlude in the more contentious side of public life to be able to come to.Premantle and enjoy the hospitality that such a. social gathering of that nature afforded. While to some pesons public life might appear disagreeable, as no doubt it was, yet it:had many compensations. Not the least of these were that although they made opponents, as one' was hbound to do in public life, for every enemy they made they could count upon making at least one staunch friend. (Hear, hear.) Looking back on the years he had spret in the political arena he did not know of anyone who had taken a promient part in public affairs whd had ady reason to complain. Criticism had been levelled at them, bit some of that criticism was exceedingly valuable, and it was often accompanied by an honest appreciation of their efforts, however poor they might be, to advance the interests of the country in which they had cast their lot. He joined with Mr. Moxon and Mr. Wilson in expressing his pleasure at having Mr. Mason back m their midst, and he hoped he would enjoy long life and vigour. . Mr. Clayton Mason, in the course of a feeling response to the congratulations which had been extended to him on his restoration to health, said-that he left Western Australia ten months ago in somewhat dismal circumstances, and with a very high probability of never having an.opportunity of seeing the land of his adoption again. During the whole time he was away, however, he never lost faith, and he had always tried to think that he would be able to come back and see all his old friends once more. (Applause.) He had received the greatest kindness from doctors, nurses, and friends at home that could possibly be extended to any man. He saw a good deal of the Premier when in London. and le did not think the people of Western Audstralia fully' appreciated the good work Sir Newton Moore had done for the State whilst in England.. The fine type of immigrants that were now coming to the State was one of'the results of his labourn. There were 100 immigrants on the mail steamer by which he returned from the old country; and a better behaved or finer lot ofyoumg colonists one could not imagine, He reretted that one saw so little about this State or indeed any of the other States in the English Press, and it was a matter for those in'authority to see that the English people were made more acquainted with what was going on in the Commonwealth. (Hear, hear.) He deeply valued the warm and genuine welcome he had received on all sides since his return to the State. (Applause.) Mr. R. Hardman also ,isponded. Referring to the duplication of the telegraph

line between Peak Hill and Nullagine, he said that a work of such magnitude could not be completed in aday, but he hoped that before very long the duplication of.the line would become an accomplished fact. The toast of "Success and Prosperity to the s.s. Koombana," was proposed by Mr. Clayton Mason, and responded to by Captain J. Bees. Mr. A. G. Leeds gave the toast of "The Chairman." ' He congratulated Mr. Moson on-having his liberty that day. • (Laughter.) There was one thing about Mr. Moxon and the Adelaide Steamship Company, and that was that they always did everything well. (Hears hear.) Mr. Moxon, in reply, said he had the greatest respect for the British Constitution and/for Parliament. He regarded the latter as the Witenagemot of the wise men of the State, men of mature years and ripe judgment, men of experience and uniform courtesy, dispassionately reviewing the affairs of the State, assisting in its government, and when necessary legislating for the welfare of the community as a whole. He did not advocate a Parliament as depicted in Hogarth's picture of "A Court of Justice." In the picture the Judge was leaning over the top of the Bench and hurling an ink bottle at the head of the prosecuting counsel. The prosecuting counsel had his fingers up to his nose, the gentlemen of the jury were en'aged in a bout of fisticuffs, and in the bony of the Court the usher was vainly endeavouring to restore order, whilst one man had hold of another by the nose. (Loud laughter.) The scenes he had read of as having taking place in their local Parliament reminded him forcibly of that very famous picture. He.did.not think members of the public should restrain their criticism if they heard of scenes of disorder going on in Parliament. (Hear, hear.) At the conclusion of the ceremony the party were taken by Mr. C. Solomon, the local-manager for Messrs. McIlwraith, Mc. Eacharn and Co. on board the steamer Karoola, and the magnificent appointments of this fine inter-State vessel were inspected and generally admired.