CIVIC RECEPTION TO THE PRIME MINISTER

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22017, 15 February 1937, Page 6

CIVIC RECEPTION TO THE PRIME MINISTER

TO THE EDITOR OP THE MESS. Sir, —My suggestion to his Worship the Mayor, Mr J. W. Beanland, to declare a holiday on Friday next from 11 a.rri. until 1 p.m. to enable workers to attend the civic reception to the Prime Minister, has not been accepted. Mr Beanland says that "the working people can attend in their lunch hour if they want to." Well if workers can leave their work, and be at the civic reception at noon, they will need to be something of speed merchants. If the time were 12.30 there would be a chancie of those Within the inner area being able to get there, but any at Addington, Wools ion, etc., have no hope. His Worship's idea of a civic reception is evidently one confined to a few selected persons, held within the council chamber, if a crowd does come along, well, then tentative arrangements have been made to use the Civic Theatre, holding about 800 persons. There is no inducement given to the citizens, workers or otherwise, to attend. My idea of a civic reception is that of a general gathering of all the residents of the city to do honour to one who merits a warmhearted welcome, and that we should do this because we feel like it. I know how the workers and the citizens generally feel towards our Prime Minister, and that is why I am appealing for the necessary facilities to be provided to enable us to do the thing thoroughly, for the sake of Christchurch. If a thing is worth doing at all it is worth doing thoroughly. I appeal therefore to all employers of labour to do their best to ensure that any workers in their employ wishing to attend shall be enabled to do so. We are not ungrateful and any little courtesies generously extended will be heartily appreciated. *'Cast' your bread upon the waters and it shall be returned threefold after many days."—Yours, etc., HIRAM HUNTER. February 14, 1937.

10 TUB EDtTO* Ot Tflt PfttSS. Sir,—The visit of the Prime, Minis* ter. Mr Savage, seems to be causing Quite a lot of interest, and Labour sup-' porters consider this occasion a great opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty. Mr Hiram Hunter thinks, it appears that We should declare a publio holiday for this memorable event. Surely he is taking a great deal for granted and must imagine that we have a great affection for the Hon. Mr Savage. What have this hon. gentleman and his party done that, we should honour him so? Certainly they have increased the workers' wages and introduced the 40-hour week but this legislation, instead of making Conditions better, has made them worse, and to-day, owing to the increased cost of living, we are worse off than we were under the Coates-Forbes Government. I suggest that the unemployed; or to quote Mr Savage, "unemployables" should give a fitting reception to the Prime Minister, and demand that our Labour Government should fulfil its pre-election promises. We still have thousands of men desiring to work but are unable even to obtain a day's work. Although all Seasonal" work is in full swing, and despite the anxiety of Mr Semple and Mr Armstrong, we find that the farmers can get as many metl as they require. The unemployed are living ott a mere pittance, and perhaps if Mr Hunter could only hear the opinions expressed by these men regarding Labour generally, then I am sure he would be asking , that all unemployed men be barred from taking part in the reception to this great Prime Minister. We Will gOOn have another opportunity of expressing our opinions through the ballot-box, and perhaps our Labour friends may receive as great a surprise as the Tpry Government received at the last election. I am sure the majority of the people do not desire a holiday to hear Mr Savage say. "Rest assured dear friends, we are the builders."— Yours, etc.. v A. RYAN. February 13, 1937.