THE FIRST LIEUTENANT

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 100, 26 April 1912, Page 7

THE FIRST LIEUTENANT

ffELGOME TO MR. f^YEBS.

UJBKLAND HONOURS ITS REPRESENTATIVE JHIHISIESS EHTHtrSIASTICAIiLT Taf g-bil pothering a.i the Town HaC Uit niSt, when the people of Auckland sf T »nt"«.va.»ticsJly ' assured too Hon. .inh'jr 'L ~ilyn of hearty good ":-ni?s IT'n -'■'" appointment to the '.liiustrjjL; the .'-'aikcuzic rabinet, ims •a manifiUtion d : -teem of which citi~r mitt he Eorr than proii.l. The hall if.! a', an early hour, ,vai to bAiiJe » ■■ ■-• ' i wiiitic- Mr. lUrold nrecsonl- •>■■ : ■- '■-■; f ,1,1, *"?, on tb«- orge» ■'■ ' : v,, ''•' : " u ''- 1 apprcejated. On tf T :^:, '-■' v - a - 4 ou " ''' t ' u " Ir - Oit pr(3 ej3t;-,f »uihfrin-s < ■: politicians, (• o ninlsP':br..- r.llii-iaU. and nroiainent, C iue;«aat : - .jnr b-r, «'"r ati a r! ertifl£Jn \;. .>■.::■:. His Wcxsiip tno j Vavo/iii - - ' . ■'• I'-n-n pn-'.id'd. and: BD .o n g* <;;,ungui. : !u-.l piKi- vere■ the Hen. T$- Mai-'p-i liii' , ! L'ninr Minister), lino. < ■ I«i.--.*<"l'. Mr.*. a:i-l .Viss Rusg*ll,U-''-" !:is -'J. v '"""--- Mrs. A. M- Myers, v f r=. (1 I'arr. clr. The bulking rang rith ip:,v.-: a3 Lh? pist tf henoux , rJi portJ"i! I■> :h-~ plaxform, and Mr. parr 50 c&zat IB ior a very -Rarm recspt, on new or" Ills great vicicrj at the \Va-5jJ election. V\"hen he. rose to jpei-Jjf audience jit" h.ffi Three hearty chee

: .-_- for z'- icr-fiidinoe were .ea/rom the Etc. v ". S. McDonald Cosier lex Pub.:- V vkf-'i, the Hen. Laarenaon i F? ina=tfr-O«Tieran, an, he Eon. Tc Eaajihiroa (.Minister jejssnticg tic native rice). £SBXSS OF APPEECIATIOK. eMayor (Mr. C. J. Parri, who ■was reFei with three rousir.jr cheers, said t.i the gathering had do politiraJ signance On the other hand all party f.nft was hfting ra*r. aside for the ■jpose of rnahiinc i: titena as a whole t-.ay to Mr. Myers. "Wall done, Fir: >ar? proud of you.' , ■' Cheers- His Tship paid a V low in:: tribute to the ilk spirit and energy displayed by Myers during I , - four rears - cccn- ,„ ',-/ fV Auckland Mayoralty, and idi'-ted for him :i hnlliani future as Minister. Tie that when the jn. Mr. Mackenzie retired from tV ice of Primp Minister Mr. Myers would . railed to fill, not the OG d. bat the rst political position in th Dominioa. r.h-ere.. The 31ayor thfn read tha illowiiw niceiy-i-T'ioed addrcsf: — '•i~itis Eeceptinn 10 tb» Hon. irt.iar H. Mver?." Miji*tPr of Railway*. i'.r.istFr of Finance, and Minister of Drr.-". held ir th? HaJl a-- Audi.i--: on raur-da- April 25. 1012

to •« H.-0. Ar-hur M- Myers.—

£;,--..: fir. — \Xp dr<irp to offfr our DfartT i-3mratnla.tioii3 upon your apnr. -tsacat ii- a member of the Ministry of New Jfaland. ■with thp important pertiolics of Railway?. Finance, and Defence, c i-— that, tie ?plection of , ? Aucktud ißfnibfr for these offices is ,- honour conferred upon thf city, a.nd a bdioation of tne Mnfidence mani-fc;-,ail Vy the citizens in electing you duringicrur encces.-ive years as flavor of Auckland and as represpntariveof tap City in Parlij-nient. VT<= arc ifea conSdent that the- public spirit, busins* ability and en?rcry -n-hich tver<=. QiipUyßd in promoting the intfrnsts of Auckland cobtpt thp aßenranoe that the largrr responsibilities now placed upon Tou xt-ill be fulfilled it! ;\i..n a. mannr.r as viil contribute to th" efficiency of the via:- cervices in this Dominion and th? advancement of its prosperity. V.> off!.- these fonjTaralat-cr:- to you a? a citien vho has vron the esteem and caifidtnce of tie people of Auckland, and ■without refereacp to the political principles u-hich arf , represented by the Cabinet of which •• ou are a member.

'"We deare specially to mark our appr«":iatiOH of the zraS you "na\e exhibited :n a£siiting many public movements. V.> have no .kmbt the samp thoroughness and devotkn to duty will distinguish Tear admisißtration of the that liave io!v teen entrusted to you." : igi>eti cc behalf 'f (he Citizen; of Amlaai C. J. FAKE I Major J EDCEJf W. WILSCN (Town Cleik"). FSCM THE CHAKBEE OF COMMERCE. Mr. Gto. Elliott, president oi the Chamber oi rxprei£Ed en bciiif of tie members thear esteem lor Mr. Mr«f3- H° alway.- liked to remember thai it was at the fugsestioa of "he Cauiaber Mr. Mtts Tigd first entered pfblic life, It waj, as a -business aan tilt Mr. Myers was so successful, ana hii achieved his success by sheer pluck. Jiie simp, qualities th.a.l he had fcrongai; to in hip γ-at and the publi- , biisiieis h" -opioid brins to bear on the aSlir? of the country. (Applause.l 'Would to Cod—and he. raid it with all Tererente —ihpr had. moTe m?n «f ill. i!jers stamp offprint: their sprvx.es to tie coHLLrf. X* thr.T' , werr. parry wooid go to the -s-a'i. People, would then votr lor tie man and not for party. (Af>p!aT&».i He congratulated the. elseror* oi Qfi' Eail upon such a worthy representative, ihp. Prune Minister upon MTT33: such an a.blp first HrnLertant, ajni the ii°opip o! tb? Dominion upon having Bodi an able aid efficient Minister. (Appkcie.; COSGSATTJI S ATIOKS FROM HATT.EOTJjt EOAB.TJ. M:. J. H. G-onson. chairman of the Asc-clini Harbour Board, -who also reteved a fiatterm-r reception, sajd thar. % w«re prone o? Mr. Myc-r- a* a New awsader. fAppla-asei. Gup of the most aportant questions affecting the. welfare o: Autidasd tra«, that roncemmg it* 5-Msport fcualirite, aid they felt that tuenew Mmiste- for Railways was goinc to do sjgnsJ sen-ice a enectai-; a remedy. rjffl&er, he lth« speak?: i felt that \ir. Myers would cP3i out even-handed jusr.jce to the Dominion as a whole. (jiseersi. i-'Ha.rc6 was a most important porno!:.,. The inaaces d the Dominion aiuit 3b carefully yarded and their con-j-c. nins: be in ice hands of one who * *-- capable and ioaa-i. Then there was question of defence. Ii New Zealand *M _ a splendid . country, it was . .'l'- " x ' jr * :l seating for if the occasion iejl "**• and upon this quesuon of :''":".■■ "' va = a Ejaiter of coaorratuia- - I;^.;': ^:'V-V' V - V ;::a ' Mvers w-u. soaul. FKOM TEE CLASSES. UWr 1 ' , S . Deai;n ou behair ot ? ne jessed the congraiaot class w TChich he i^ iad tftl c P»Di<-- he sot 6 " hp a i«^ya ** & eynfflattietjß aad appreciauve he^

ing. C-A-ppkuuee). Those -Bio tner iIEMyers knew that he was quite able to carry on± tie great duties that had devolved upon him. Mr, Long referred appreciatively to Mr. Myers , attempt to deal with the slum difficulty wten Mayor; and urged him to again introduce that important question in Parliameat (Applause.) He wished Mx. Myers I'ong life and prosperity, and hoped he would remain in the Caiinet till r.ahonj- was thf. dominating power in the politics of the Dominion. (Applause.) COLLEAGUES* ENCOMIUM. The lion. G. W. Russell, Minister in charge of Internal Affairs, congratulated Mr. Myers on tie magnificent tribute t.h af the citizens were paying him. The speaker paid a tribute to Ale Myers' Paruoxarnia.rj- career, and said that when the tune came to choose the Cabinet, there might have been some doubt, as tn who should represent Canterbury and other parts, bat there was no doubt whatever as to who should represent Auckland —Mr. Myers. However short a. time the present Ministry r< raaini'd in office, ihey intended to set such an example that anyone coming alter them would have to go pretty hard U> beat it. (Applause.) Mr. Enssell assured the people that the present Primp Minister wa-s no unworthy successor to the great, leaders 'that had gone before in the liberal movement, With. rrcraT.i to the iuturv, he thought t-bo. people weiv not looking so much for fresh legislation, thoujrh tome ■would be necessary, as lor hard work, sound administration and careful carrying oat of the laws on the Statute Book. As a Southern Minister, he came to extend to Auckland the congratulations of the South upon this important occasion, and could assure them of the continued sympathy and interest of the Sauthsrnpts in the phenomenal progress of the North. (Applause.} In Canterbury they looked not with, jealousy nor with envy, but with pride, upon the magnificent strides the City of Auckland was making. They recognised that Auckland was to be. the Sydney of >'ew Zealand. (Applause.) HIS CHIEF'S APFKOVAL. The Prime Minister, the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, paid a very high compliment lo the many good qualities possessed by Mr. Myeri. That gentleman had said that hr iva-i diffident about accepting such important office?, but be (Mr. Mackenzie) .said he was ■well aware of the f-tanip of man ho. was entrusting with the portfolios. The great gathering was an emphatic endorsement of the good opinion he had held of Mr. Myers from the first time they met. At the last general election there was too much personal abuse, a thing which would have a. devitalising effect on publir life, and if they had more, men of the stamp of Mr. Myers, party differences would sink into insignificance, and persona! merits would command esteem and respect. Mr. Mackenzie paid a sracffttl tribute to the memory of the bit? Mr. F. E. BaumP- who represented City East so ably in Parliament as Mr. Myers" predecessor. The Prime Minister spoke enthusiastically about the future of Auckland. He might even say of her as wjs said of -Jerusalem of old —'"Beautiful her situation, the joy of the whole earth."' If that did no; beat the encomiums of his friend Mr. Glover, he did not know what to say. (LaaigbAer.) With resard to the aspirations of the Cabinet.~rie could assure the people of New Zealand that whetiher the reign of the Cabinet were Ion? or short, they intended to do th? right thing. They had been warned of difficulties, but it was thrir intention to make of those ?3_mp difficulties stepping stones for future triumphs. (Cheers.) Referring to the remark* that had been made concerning the large amount, of work the Ministers had to do. Mr. Mackenzie said th« task had grown so much that it was physically impossible for the. present numbr-r to carry on He had suggested, and would still suggest, that there should be two more paid Ministers. They were told that if the Ministers settled down, they could do the work easily enough. This meant that they should remain in Wellington, but it was highly* essential that they should go about the Dominion and become acquainted with the various wants of the different districts. (Cheers.) The Prime Minister, In proposing a vote of thanks to the Mayor, said that what was done on the previous day was appreciated throughout the Dominion, Loud applause.) At the suggestion of the Mayor, tire large audience heartily joined in the singing of "Add Lang Syne,' , and subsequently gave cheers for the Mayor and Mayoress and the Prime Minister. MS. MYEE'S &RA3TTUZJJ:. Mx. Myers, on rising, wa*> given three rousing cheers at the call of the MayorAfter congratulating hi 3 Worship upon his, memora-bie victory on the precione day, Mr. Myers said hs, felt that words were quite inadequate to express his very sincere appreciation fox th« very high honour that was being extended to him. (Cheers.) He was deeply sensible -of the fact that this .honour was being extended, not to Mmself personally, bat to >iirn a>. an Auckland citizen who had been tendered the compliment oi being entrusted with, three important portfolios in the Mackenzie Government. - I almost ehuddered,* , said the speaker., "when the Prime Minister read the statement setting forth that I "was to take these three cTeai portfolios, and I thought that it must have been a mistake. Bat, when you catch Mr. Mackenzie's eye, you feel that he knows what he means "(laughter), and so I realised that he had determined thai Auckland was to receive praminr.ui representation in the new Ministry."' (A-ppfcmse.) Mr. Myers, thanked thespeakers for their references to his services to ths city as a past Mayan, but he felt that any obligation in this connection had been fnily discharged 10,000 citizens gathered in Albert Park pnor to his depar+jJß for England and wished him bon *Rige. He had then felt that if ever his services -were wanted by th? public in the future it would V his duty to place them at tbe disposal of the people. ( Applause. , ) Ec : ■was glad to have been abie to do so, . for he had always been treated with a great measure of generosity, and his experiences had been most pJeascraHe. i Applause. 1 The speaker proffered the assurance that the " splendid reception which he had received as a Minister of the Crown from citizens of all shades Of public opinion, would serve as a great inspiration in ethmxlatrn? bis desire as a member of the Cabinet to do his very best. (Applause.) Mr- Myers expressed pleasure at the presence of the Prime Minister, who. he assured them, was a man of wide experience, undoubted ability, absolute integrity, and tireless energy, all of which qualities were being directed to furthering the best interests o;" the Dominion. (Cheers.) Mr. Myers expressed the conviction. that the "people of Auckland appreciated, honesty of purpose. The motto on "fee--banner of the Mackenzie Ministry was: '"Honesty of Purpose ami Efficiency?"' Everyone jecogJßSed thai fee fen© had arrived ior -efficisat. adaasinistraiaon. l^pen , :

Lite other edde <-^«- iT " < * , it to be one of the principal pjanks of their pla±£onn. Themost important questions before l^he people to-day isere land se-ttlenient, transport, and prudent finance. He was pleased to reflect that all the portfolios concerned \rith. these were held by Northern Ministers. He assured them thai MnrJEters recognised their great responsibilities, and that these important matters, whose solution would do so much for the progress and prosperity of the Dominion, would receive every eonsdderar"tion at the bands -of the present Cabinet.

(Applause.) Mr. Myers predicted a-n>l hoped fha.t Messrs. Parr, Gnnsan, Elliott, and Long would soon find a wider sphere for theix public activities. "We, fortunately, have a <lean slate."" added Mr. Myers, "and all that we ask is thai you should suspend your judgment until we can prove our worthmeie or otherwise- If we prove unworthy, we vsrill ask no qruaTtrr, but will readily hand omr the duties ni office to whatever parly possesses to a greater de-rroe the confidence of the country.'' (Applanee.) In conclusion, the speaker s-iid his heart was too full to permit of an adequate pxprespion of his fefJirrs;3 on what Teas truly the pr«ttest occasion in hie political )3e. If energy :md uholebearted to public servk-e would go for aaigbt, b<* assured them that, as si member of the C'abfrK-t. be would nor be found wanting. (Aj>pla.usn.) He trusted that when ishc. t'vair came for h-iin to taJce his hand from the pjoufrh they would realise that hi had been at-tnated by only the best of motive*. He tendered his heartiest thanks to the executive and organisers of the reception for what they had done. Mr. Myers resumed his seai, amidst a furore of applause. At the instance of the Mayor he was given three chef more, and another £hree followed for Mrs. Myers and Mrs. Myers, sen.