PRIME MINISTER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 116, 26 February 1937, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER

FIRST VISIT TO ASHBURTON.

RECEPTION AND LUNCHEON. ARRANGEMENTS FOR TOMORROW. In the course of his South Island tour, tho Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) will arrive in Ashburton to-morrow morning to make his first official visit to the Borough. He will be accorded a civic reception and official luncheon by the local bodies.

The Prime Minister, who will he accompanied by the Minister for Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong), visited Oamaru yesterday, and was in Timaru to-day. The party will reach Ashburton by car about 10.30 o’clock, andd will be met by the Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods) and the County Chairman (Mr F. Frampton), and will be privately entertained at morning tea by them.

At 11 o’clock there will bo a civic reception in St. Andrew’s Hall, and this will be followed by the official luncheon at Lewitt’s reception rooms, Oak Grove, at 12.30 o’clock. From about 2 o’clock till 3.30, when the party will leave lor Christchurch, there will be a reception to the Prime Minister and Mr Armstrong, in St. Andrew’s Hall by representatives of the Labour Party branches throughout the Mid-Canterbury Electorate.

WARM WELCOME'AT TIMARU.

TIMARU, This Day.

The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), and the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, arrived in Timaru this morning, and at noon received a civic welcome at the Council Chambers. There was an exceptionally large assemblage of the public, the space available being fully occupied, and the reception was very cordial. The Mayor (Mr P. C. Vinnell) extended a warm welcome to the visitors, and this was supplemented by the member for the district (the Rev. Clyde Carr). Mr Savage was very warmly received when he rose to speak. 'He delivered an address dealing with the ideals, aims and intentions of the Government. He said that during his southern visit he had been accused of being an idealist, but that was certainly a portion of liis political equipment which he would not throw overboard. Tho policy now being carried out by tho Government was emphatically endorsed by the people at the general election, and the Cabinet had no intention of modifying its plans, but would go straight ahead, being confident in tho knowledge that on humanitarian and uplifting efforts it had the full support of the people. The Ministers will meet deputations this afternoon and in the evening will he entertained at a social by the Labour Party.