REGRET, BUT RELIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 15

REGRET, BUT RELIEF

AN OFFICER RETIRES

MR. W. WADDEL HONOURED

The long service of the recently-re-tired Superintendent of the Stato Advances Department, Mr. W. Waddcl, was recognised this morning at a function at which he was farewelled by the members of his* staff and presented^vith a handsome gold watch.

The presentation was made by the Minister in ahargc of tho Department (the Eight Hon. G. W. Forbes), who said ho had known Mr. Waddcl ever since the inception of tho Department in 1895. Ho, added ftiat he had tho ploasantest recollections of his official and personal associations with the retiring officer. Mr. Forbes went on to refer to the wonderful growth of New Zealand as a country chiefly dependent on' primary production, and to the groat part played .by the State Advances .Department in assisting development by making capital available to farmers and workers. New Zealand had'had its full share of troubles as a primary producing country, and the present fall in produce prices was causing a good • deal of hardship and inconvenience, but he felt sure that if tho people stood together and. faced their difficulties with determination,the present trouble would bo surmounted. Everyone must make sonio sacri--fice, and he thought that taken as a whole the people recognised that what had already been done to improve the country's position was inevitable and the only means of restoring prosperity. Mr. Waddel had been connected with the Department for, 36 years, and was entitled to -feel pride in the success of his administration as Superintendent. He had sho-wed how the Department could be run on the most efficient lines, and the low overhead cost of running the Department would stand .comparison with any other institution. in tho world which was in a similar form of business. As the result of. Mr.1 Waddel Js control ono, did not hear a single^ complain about the administration of the Department, and that was a very great tribute to him. In going into retirement.'Mr. Waddel could loqk back on a very' fine monument to his work. The Department had been referred to as tho "pawnshpp of New Zealand," but Mr. Waddel'could say he had been the most succbssful pawnbroker in the country, and that he had lived up to the highest traditions of the profession. (Laughter.), . ■ ' J A TYPICAL, PUBLIC SERVANT. . Colonel G. F. G. Campbell, ex-Secre-tary of the Treasury, spoke of his more or less intimate associations with Mr. Waddol since 1896, and said he'had a good opportunity to judge of his capacity. ' He had never had occasion to question Mr. Waddel's judgment, and he had always met with courtesy and attention from him., They had never had the slightest difference during their long association, which included the difficult period of the war. Mr. Waddel was typical of the best class of Public servant in New Zealand, and a man of wh6m tho service as a whole should bo proud. Colonel Campbell wished him long life in which to look back on his pleasant associations with the Department. , , The Public Service Commissioner, Mr P. D. N. Verschaffelt, paid a' further1 tribute to Mr. Waddel 'a good qualities, and said that hia word was always his bond and that he, had always given of his best service; ' He 'had been loyal to the various Governments under which he had served, and had been fairly conBiderate to his staff. He wished Mr. Waddol a long and happy retirement. The Deputy-Superintendent of tJie Department, Mr. A..'A. Pritchard, said that Mr. Waddel's three, main characteristics were the foresight he had exorcised 'iij 1922 when it was necessary to review tho current rate of interest; his confidence in tho ultimate'success of what was known as the "95 per cent. Workers' Act"; and his fortitude-when faced with an overwhelming number of applications under that Act and under the moratorium. He had left the Department on a; firm footing in the matter of investments, and the speaker said he felt Bure that as a'result of tho retiring' Superintendent's administration the Department would come through the depression with flying colours. On behalf of : the staff Mr. Pritchard offered good wishes for a peaceful and happy retirement. ' The presentation was then made by the Prime Minister, and Mr. Waddol wag. enthusiastically rpplauded. MANY REGRETS. ' ' ' . In acknowledging the gift ,and expressing thanks, Mi1. Waddel said he found it very difficult to say what was in his mind and in Ms heart. He Mt he did not deserve half of what had been said. He had many regrets in leaving' the;, Department, but, on tho other' hand, his retirement gave him a great feeling of relief, coupled with' pleasant anticipation of' what the future held for him. He specially thanked the staff for their loyal cooperation,, and solicited for-Ms, successor, Mr. Hales, Whom they would find a congenial chief, the same-co-operation, which was essential to the successful: administration ,of the De: partment. He concluded by wishing the staff good luck and prosperity. ; The gathering concluded with cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Waddel.