POSTMASTER GENERAL ENTERTAINED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21631, 15 November 1935, Page 21

POSTMASTER GENERAL ENTERTAINED

SOCIAL GATHERING AT GKRALDINK ISfKIIAI. TO THI I'IIKSS.) GERALDINE. November 14. Friends and supporters of the National Government entertained the Postmaster-General (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) and Mr T. D. Burnett, to afternoon tea yesterday. The Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald), who presided over an attendance of 60. extended a cordial welcome. Proposing the toast of the National parly of New Zealand, coupled with the name of Mr Hamilton, Mr K. Mackenzie said that the National party had been faced with a desperate position, and had been compelled to take desperate measures to remedy the effect of the economic depression which had affected the whole world. It had had to do unprecedented things, and was criticised in consequence, but it had taken its courage in both hands, and he was sure that as a result of their efforts New Zealand was on the way to recovery. Replying, Mr Hamilton expressed thanks for the welcome and hospitality extended him. He said that the present Parliament had handled New Zealand in a very difficult period; in fact, he thov.ght it was the most difficult situation any Parliament had had to meet in the history of New Zealand, and he believed they had done the right thing. They had been widely criticised for the actions they had had to take. Since the restoration of part of the wage cut he had been asked whether he did not acknowledge now that the»Government's actions ' r.d been too drastic and that it had been wrong in making them. His reply had been that in the circumstances he believed that it had done the right thing at the right time. Other toasts included: "Mr T. D. Burnett," proposed by Commander G. Dennistoun, and responded to by Mr Burnett; "The Chairman" (Mr B. R. Macdonald) and "The Organiser" (Mr J. W. Miller), both of whom replied.