NATIONAL PARTY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 13

NATIONAL PARTY

OLD MEMBERS THANKED TRIBUTES AT CONFERENCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Friday. A resolution extending a special welcome to Mr. S. G. Holland in his new capacity as leader of the party and expressing implicit faith in his ability to provide that leadership so essential to the country at the present time of crisis was carried by acclamation at the Dominion conference of the National party. Mr. Holland, in reply, paid a secial tribute to veteran members of the National party in Parliament whose retirement is pending. He said Sir Alfred Ransom and the Hon. J. G. Cobbe had given the country splendid service. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, who had announced that he would not stand again for Hurunui if a suitable candidate could be found to replace him, would also be sadly missed in the event of his retirement after a long and distinguished Parliamentary service. "This conference desires also to pay its respects to Mr. Adam Hamilton and to place on record its appreciation of his past services, particularly his lasting work in the building of the party organisation during a very difficult period, and to express its pleasure at his presence at the gathering," stated another resolution, carried amid applause. Mr. Hamilton replied that he had made many friends throughout New Zealand during his strenuous period as leader of the party, and would always be happy to serve the party in any capacity. A resolution was also carried expressing appreciation of the hard work and attention to duty of National party members in the House.