PREMIER AT GISBORNE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 136, 5 March 1929, Page 12

PREMIER AT GISBORNE

BOUNDS OF RECEPTIONS WELCOMED BY ROTARY , CLUB Dominion Special Service. Gisborne, March 4. . The cordial receptions accorded the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) since his arrival in Gisborne were substantially *’ added to to-day, when he was the recipi- » 'ent of many enthusiastic welcomes. After receiving deputations m the morning he attended the Rotary Club lunch, where, in the words of the president (Rotarian Irvine), he was received • not as a Rotarian in fact, but asa Rotar- ■ "ian in principle and spirit. The P rl “ e ■ -Minister’s long, association with the national affairs of New Zealand, said Mr. - Irvine,- “represent the spirit of Notary. We hope your resumption of the reins ' of office will be accompanied by many years of prosperity, and progress. We . must all.congratulate, you on your per•*L'sO#al appearance; which gives the lie direct to those who said you were on f your last legs. All I can say is that if you ‘ ? aftf-on your Jast legs you must be in pos-/.--session of a considerable number of use•s -Jul- -spare parts.” . ..(Laughter and applause.), •/ ;; ~ 2 Reply by Sir Joseph Ward. .-.-'At the conclusion of his remarks the president,was fined a shilling for appear- , ,ingl without-his badge. ■'s.'/fhe.' Prime Minister, who .was acclaimed on rising,' responded. He raised a loud « r> -lauih' by. intimating that he intended , to take -advantage of the general order that Rotarians could remove their coats, and j that-he would take his off to avoid the - call fof« taxation, to which the president - had been obliged, to respond. Speaking ; s shirt sleeves,. Sir-Joseph congratulated Rotary on its ideals and aspirations, - ; and on the work.it ,was‘ performing. He -"paid’a tribute to the climate of Gisborne, and expressed the belief that his visit had brought him in touch with a clear indication that the people had confidence ' ' 'in the district, the town, and themselves. -(Applause.) • At the conclusion of the function the ingathering joined’ih singing the Rotarian - welcome -song, -“.What’s the Matter With ~’josebh,?- k He’s All Right.” The Star of Canada. '.- -In .the afternoon the Prime Minister Inspected a house built from the captain’s cabin of the ill-fated Star Of Canada, and then visited the bowling club with which , : the-late Sir James Carrol! had been so ■ connected. Replying there to ■’many'. felicitous, .references, ■ the Prime ;■ Ministbt,!.in, a brief mention of politics, • said that from information he had received there was evidence that the majority of the people' in New Zealand wanted tO'see the new Government 1 given a fair •trial to. implement- their' , policy. - --■■Sir Joseph then visited the Maori hui to-bid farewell to-Lady Carroll, who, in returning thanks for the Prime Minister's consideration and thoughtfulness, said, through an interpreter, that, with Sir ■•• Joseph Ward’s visit had come back to '-life the being of her late husband, Timi .'Kara. . One by one the representative : chiefs present greeted the Prime Minister, and wished him long life- and prosperity.- 'He was farewelled by the huge ' concourse in Maori, and given thunderbus’ cheer's' in English. -' ■ • . An informaL reception at the Poverty Bay . Club completed an arduous day’s .-work.. • ■ '