HON. W. HALL-JONES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 124, 24 November 1908, Page 3

HON. W. HALL- JONES.

PRESENTATION FROM THE INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION. The main trunk railway. GOVERNMENT'S ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL INDUSTRIES, A WORD ABOUT ALLEGED POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS. Representatives of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association waited on the Hon. W. Hall-Jones yesterday, and presented him with a miniature railway locomotive, in honour of the completion of the Main Trunk railway, and in recognition of the assistance iwhich has been given by the Government to the industries of New Zealand. The present, which bore a suitable inscription, was manufactured by Mr. L. R. Partridge, a member of the association, and was really an excellent piece pf workmanship, perfect in every detail Mr. A. W. Newton, president of the association, said he and his fellow .members wished to thank Mr. HallJones for giving them the opportunity of expressing in person their appreciation of the kindness and generosity he had extended to them on the occasion of the official opening of the Main Trunk railway line. The desire of the association to be represented nt that function was warranted and justified, inasmuch as the industrial class played such an important part in the completing and maintaining the efficiency of the railway system of this country. It was .almost unnecessary to mention, but it was nevertheless a fact, that al! the carriages, trucks, and other rollingstock were the product of the railway workshops, while many of the locomotives were built by Messrs. Price Bros., of Thames, wbo are still manufacturing ■uhem. This was only as it should be, because he was thoroughly convinced that, given a fai* show, New Zealand ■•ndustries could hold their own for quality, workmanship, and finish against allcomers. Mr. HalJ-Jones : That is so. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PRAISED. It was also pleasing to note that in calling tenders for stores, material, etc., for Government contracts, goods of New Zealand manufacture were specified, by the authorities as far as possible. The association wished to thank tne Government for the consideration shown to the various industries concerned. The general public had heard such a lot about viaducts, tunnels, bridges, spirals, and other things, that it began to wonder and doubt the advisableness of con structing a railway through such country as the Main Trunk traversed. The members of the association, after viewing the country, were satisfied that the railway would justify its existence, and m time prove a profitable asset to New Zealand. No doubt the speeches and criticism, favourable and otherwise — (laughter) — which had been levelled at Mr. Hall-Jones during the time the railway was under construction, and especially in more recent times, would last an ordinary man a lifetime, but the members of the association just wished to say how much they appreciated the Minister's hospitality on the occasion of the opening trip. Mr. Newton then presented Mr. Hall-Jones with the miniature locomotive, which he said he Hoped would remind him when in London of pleasant recollections of his 'work in New Zealand. He took the opporuunity of congratulating Mr. HaliJbnes on his new appointment. They were' convinced ho would carry out tht duties of High Commissioner with thp. same modesty, perseverance, and ability which had characterised his. work as •Minister of Railways. (Applause.) Mr. L. R. Partridge, who also spoke, said he was a native of the same town as the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, and hs was delighted to have the opportunity of taking part in the presentation. He paid a tribute to the excellence of the work of New Zealand tradesmen, and concluded by expressing the hope that Mr. Hall-Jones would come back to New Zealand to open more railways. Mr. H. F. Allen, secretary of the association, added a few words of appreciation also. MORE TRIBUTES. Mr. D. Robertson, engineer and ironfounder, was particularly warm in his appreciation of the assistance which had always been given by the Government engineers and the general manager to those carrying on some of New Zealand's most important industries. "They have at all times," he said, "done their level best to so arrange specifications that New Zealand manufacturers couid get the contracts. It was good to know that engines made in the country pulled os in to Auckland the other day, and that the cars were all of New Zealand manufacture. He admired the way the Government had met the New Zealand manufacturers, and concluded by hoping that a capable man would be found to fill the important post which Mr. HallJonei was about to vacate. THE MINISTER' IN REPLY. Mr. Hall-Jones was happy in his reply. He said that he had received some hundreds of deputations in his time, but none so pleasant as this one, and that at a time when he was nearing the end of his Ministerial life. He might be asked why? Because the association had shown some appreciation of what had been done. For most of its work the Government invariably got criticism. He referred to the opening trip up the Main Trunk line, and said he felt sure that the members of the association had had their eyes opened as to the nature of the country traversed by the line. There was a time when the line was condemned, and he- often wondered when sitting at his desk how he was to get the best results. However, he could say he was satisfied with the result. NO POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS. At one time, in his position of Minister of Railways and Public Works, he had 20,000 men under his control, and at the present time he had about 17,000. " I can," he said, " leave office after thirieen years' service and challenge anyone to point to one political appointment. (Hear, hear.) I don't know of any such appointments having been made by my colleagues." The rule in his departments, he went on to say, applied in the case of all other departments. The endeavour of the Government at all times had been to get the best men available. He was very pleased to hear the remarks made by Mr. Robertson, connected as he was with an important industry. He reminded those present of the extent of this country, and the enormous population it was destined to maintain and the industries that would eventually spring up. As time went on oetter results would be achieved, and goods would be manufactured at lower prices until New Zealand, by process of advancement, would be able to compete with the Old Country. The Government in its actions had tried to look at things from every point Of view. The miniature engine, when he was in London, would remind him of the breaks and spirals, the cuttings and the tunnels, on the Main Trunk line. He mentioned that the remark had been made that the bridges on the line looked slender, but the real truth waa that

the engineers had succeeded in getting a maximum of strength with a minimum of material. With care the bridges would last for 100 years, and they were all constructed to carry several times the stipulated weight. (Hear, hear.) COMING BACK AGAIN. He would be sorry, he said, if he thought he was leaving New Zealand for good, and he believed the change would be beneficial. There was good work to be done in London. Pointing to the little token, he said the revolving wheels would remind him of the necessity of keeping the machinery going, consistent with the safety-valve being in order and the maintenance of a good pressure of steam. The diamond headlight would impress on him the necessity of avoiding clanger. Since his appointment had been decided upon he had received so many expressions of appreciation and kindness that he almost regretted that he was leaving. However, he did not look forward to staying in England. He would come back and settle down where he could talk of old times, play a game of bowls, and perhaps do something to further the progress of the country. He concluded by again thanking the association and wishing it success. (Applause.)