UNITED LEADER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 133, 7 June 1929, Page 8

UNITED LEADER.

WELCOME TO SIR JOSEPH.

A PARTY GATHERING.

PRESENTATION TO ORGANISER,

In Milne and Ghoyce's handsome Tudor Room, artistically decorated, the United party last evening gave a reception in honour of the head of the party, Sir Joseph Ward, and nothing the party has organised in Auckland, has been quite so well carried out. The decorjatifons were most effective, and well merited the praise bestowed upon them by the guest of honour. An alleyway from ground floor entrance to the lifts was lined with flags, and the Tudor Room on the top floor looked like the inside of an orchid house, the rich effect being enhanced by the skilful coloured lighting. When Sir Joseph stepped out of the lift a trumpeter sounded the reveille, and the Ministerial party walked up the room.. preceeded by a bevy of little girls dressed as scarlet pages, the first pair blowing imitation gilt trumpets. The Ministers accompanying were the Hon. J. B. Donald, the Hon. H. Atmore and the Hon. W. B. Taverner. As Sir Joseph reached his seat the orchestra struck up "See the Conquering Hero." Mr. J. Trevithick, president of the local branch of ■ the party, in welcoming Sir Joseph, spoke of the good work done by the stalwarts when the party was not in such a flourishing state as it was to-day. He described Sir Joseph as a leader who might have had reverses, but who was never vanquished; he never knew what defeat was. They welcomed him not only on behalf of the party but on behalf of the whole Dominion, because ninety-eight per cent of the people held the same views. Sir Joseph Ward, in thanking the party for the splendid welcome .tendered him, said such incidents served to offset the many hard-knocks ■ that a politician received —and expected. Such a gathering was a great inspiration to the leaders, who wanted all the help and co-operation they could get from their worthy followers. He was satisfied New Zealand had a great future, but legislation would require to be of a forward character. In the first place they must have more- lands on which

to; settle people, and they must have cheap money for people who wanted homes and farms. In both directions the present Government had taken the initiative since it came into power, and hundreds and hundreds of people had been made happy and contented. Sir Joseph concluded by paying a compliment to the good work done by Mr. Trevithick. Present for Mr. Baulf. During the evening Sir Joseph Ward on behalf of the Auckland branch of the party, made a presentation of a wireless set to Mr. H. C. Baulf, the Auckland organiser. Mr. Baulf had been engaged in doing such good work that the committee conceived it to be desirable to make him a presentation— and very properly so, added Sir Joseph. An appropriate programme of items had been arranged, with Mr. Tano Fama as stage-manager. Miss Theo Halpin was accompanist, Miss Lillian O'Leary arranged the ballets and the incidental music was provided by the Tudor 'Orchestra, led by Mr. Reginald J. Morgan. Following were the items, all being encored:—Solo, "When the Sergeant-Major's on Parade," Mr. Frank Sutherland; Hungarian ballet, Midget Moselles; solo, "Sink, Red Sun," Mrs. Reuben O'Brien; solo, "Oh Doris," Little Koanui and infants' ballet; harp solo, "La Harpe Eolienne," Miss Mavis Grevatt; song, "All By Yourself in the Moonlight," Little Patricia; comedy dance, "The Golliwogs," the Moonbeam Girls; comedy, impersonations, Tano Fama; Spanish ballet, the Gaby Girls; solo, "The Ballad Monger," Mr. T. C. Seaton; finale, "Keep on Smiling," Miss O'Leary's pupils.

At the conclusion of the programme supper was served, in the style for which the Tudor Room management is so well known.