CIVIC RECEPTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 January 1941, Page 2

CIVIC RECEPTION

VISIT OF MR. W. NASH. SPEECHES AT GREYMOUTH. Although he has been in New Zealand for over thirty years, Mr. W. Nash, Minister of Finance, is making his first visit to the West Coast. He and Mrs. Nash, were tendered a civic reception in the Municipal Chambers at Greymouth, last evening, the accommodation being fully occupied by Citizens. A welcome was also extended to Mr. P. C. Webb, Minister of Labour and Mines, who accompanied Mr. Nash. The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham), who presided, said it was with a great deal of pleasure that, on behalf of the citizens of Greymouth, he extended to Mr. Nash and party a cordial welcome. Mr. Kitchingham referred to the industries of the West Coast—coal, timber, gold, farming, and tourist, and indicated the progress being made, also stressing the need for a long-range policy in order to perpetuate the forests and the sawmilling industry. He suggested that Mr. Nash should, during his tour of the district, keep that m mind. Mr. Kitchingham referred to the difficulties of the position of Min- , ister of Finance, particularly in view of the needs occasioned by the war effort, and said that Mr. Nash had had a strenuous time since Labour had been in office. They were glad he was able to spare a few days to secure relaxation in South Westland, and hoped that he would enjoy his visit. They were also glad again to welcome Mr. Webb. Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P., also welcomed the visitors, on behalf of the people of Westland. It was satisfactory to have Mr. Nash make his first visit to the district, and see its assets. He hoped that Mir. Nash would be able to see some of the possibilities of the South, as far as Jackson Bay. It was a big district, but very empty so far as population was concerned. Such empty spaces were rather a temptation to other nations who were overcrowded, and he hoped that the empty spaces of Westland would be filled with their own people, in the near future. Mr. O’Brien expressed the hope that Mr. and Mrs. Nash .would carry away kindly memories of the West Coast and its hospitality. On behalf of the Labour movement of the West Coast. Mr. J. B. Kent extended a hearty and sincere welcome to Mr. Nash, and said that the Minister had done wonderful work for New Zealand, both in the Dominion and in England. No previous occupant of the position had graced it with such brilliancy. They had a hearty appreciation of his efforts, and hoped that his visit would be most enjoyable. Mr. Webb, as Member for Buller, also expressed pleasure at the visit to the West Coast of Mr. and Mrs. Nash. He said that he had not met a Minister who took a more keen interest and had a more penetrating insight into the possibilities of the district, than Mr. Nash. Every penny that Mr. O’Brien and the speaker had wanted' for the development of .the West Coast had been made available by Mr. Nash. They did not expect to get more money, but wanted the Minister to see that the money granted had been well spent. Mr. Weob paid a tribute to the hard working capacity of Mr. Nash. The late Mr. Savage had said that the greatest gold mine New Zealand had ever discovered was Walter Nash, not only because of his outstanding ability, but also because of his devotion to principle. He would have one eye on the scenery, and the other on the possibilities of bringing about more production on the West Coast.

MINISTER’S REPLY. . Mr. Nash, who was greeted with applause, said that he made the visit with pleasure, as he had been looking forward to it for years. He had been in the Dominion something over 31 years, but had not previously been further than Springfield on the way to the West Coast. If the district were as good as the people from it whom he had met elsewhere in New Zealand, then he would go away a happier man. He knew what some West Coasters had done in helping to build a better social fabric in the Dominion. He referred to the amazing beauty of the West Coast, as seen in photographs, and said that he had done what he could to advertise it. He had already received some indication of the possibilities of the West Coast in the pastoral and agricultural industries, while its timber resources would last for many years. Coal had also played a great part in the development of the Dominion, and he wondered, after visiting Denniston and Millerton, and seeing the living conditions existing there, whether they had been fair, as a country, to the men who produced the coal. The conditions of the men and women in the mining townships were a great contrast when compared with those of other sections of the community. Mr. Nash said that he did not want to criticise his critics. Some of the finest types of men and women in the country had different ideas from his own, as to what could be done with money. The West Coast had brought into being gold that had . been tremendously fruitful so far as the currency system was concerned. In the future, they might be able to use their brains in a way that would make it possible not to rely so much on gold. The day might come when gold would be used only for making ornaments, but that day was not yet. In' the meantime, the people who produced gold and coal were rendering splendid service to the country. He believed that there was a magnificent future for the farming industry on the West Coast. In addition to its material production and services, .the West Coast had also rendered magnificent service from the cultural viewpoint. After he had seen South Westland, he would be able to talk more intelligently regarding the wonderful gifts God had given for the benefit of West Coasters and other people in. the Dominion.

Continuing, Mr. Nash affirmed that he was happy in the work he was doing. Inevitably, there must be criticism. A man who put his hand into everybody’s pocket could not be liked by everybody. Some people believed that he took too much out of their pockets, but he did not mind that, so long as there was enough left to ensure a reasonable standard of living and, so far as possible, freedom from worry, to which those who rendered service were entitled. What really mattered was how the money was spent, and he believed that the Labour Government had used its texW 1 °ffi ce well, The Government

had always tried to help, and not to hurt. They had had five , years of prosperity, with some difficult periods, but he .thought they had overcome them. The Dominion’s circumstances overseas were better than they had been for the past five years. Unfortunately, the war broke out, with the result that £37,500,000 additional was required this year to enable them to provide for New Zealand’s war effort. He did not think that the people realised to the full what domination by the Germanic Powers would mean. There had never been a greater menace facing the English-speaking peoples. The fact that New Zealanders could criticise as they wished was because they were free; it could not be done in the dictator countries. He did not think the latter would win the war, but if they did, it would set back the clock for a century. The Government had promised to give all it had, and to use all the resources of New Zealand, to help the Old Country to defend itself and the British Commonwealth. It might mean a little less for ourselves, working harder and with less grumbling, in order to overcome the menace, and go ahead

to higher realms and a better standard of living. Mr. Nash paid a tribute to the people of the Old Country, and to the New Zealand troops overseas, and said that he did not think there was any danger of Britain being successfully invaded. He also paid a tribute to the men at the Brunner collieries, who, he was informed, had agreed that portion of their pay should go towards the national savings scheme, and assist the war effort. That was a magnificent example to all throughout New Zealand. In conclusion, Mr. Nash returned thanks for the welcome extended to his wife and himself. He would examine the West Coast in the way suggested by Messrs O’Brien and Webb. If there were greater production possibilities—and he thought there were —he would do his best to help in having them expanded to the maximum, and thus bring into being again the spirit of the West Coast — to work hard, to live hard, and to give hard.

VISIT TO RUNANGA. The Ministerial party visited Runanga last evening, where they met the members of the Runanga branch of the Labour Party at an informal gathering in the Druids’ Hall. Mr S. Morris, president of the Runanga branch of the Labour Party, presided, and extended a welcome. The Mayor (Mr R. McTaggart) also welcomed Mr Nash, and said he regreted it had not been possible to hold a public meeting in order that the public of Runanga might have heard Mr Nash speak, as they had the Prime Minister recently. Mr Webb and Mr O’Brien also extended a welcome to Mr Nash.

Mr Nash spoke of the work of the Labour Government since 1935, and of the ideals and principles which the Government strove to attain. He said that Mr Webb had referred to the long hours that he (Mr Nash) worked. He did work long hours, he said, but it would not be possible, were it not for the fact that he enjoyed doing it. His whole background in life had been the co-opera-tive and the Labour movement. When he represented Labour -at the International Labour conference at Geneva many years ago, one of the resolutions passed there was to the effect that the first charge on production, and the first liability on society should be to care for the aged, caie for the young, and care for the ailing, then care for those who do the work. What happened to the surphsg was not nearly so important. That had been the objective oi the New Zealand Labour Party, and they had striven over the years to achieve just that. He discussed the difficulties met with in achieving that objec tive, and said that prior to exchange control being established, over a period of seven months £l7 000,000 of overseas funds had been taken out of the Government’s control byi people who sought to bring about the downfall of the Labour Government. Over a period of nine months, £9,000,000 were withdrawn from the Post Office Savings Bank. Despite these difficulties, the Government had gone ahead, and it was significant that in the past nine in the Savings Bank were £2,000,000 greater than withdrawals. The .Social Security legislation had been introduced and to-day this was cos - ing over £12,000,000 annually, thought all would agree that the benefits of Social Security made scheme worth while. In fact, maternity benefit alone, removing it did the fear of doctors and hospital bills from nursing mothers, had justified the scheme. The income of the working people had gone VP per cent, in the past Jew yeais Speaking on the war, Mr Nash said that he had had to sink some of the old principles he had held in -J , to war, and he felt that we should all fight to defend what wel jd .achieved. He had always advocated against war, but he felt that. war was to be lost, then all our would be put back 100 years. . his first visit to the West Coast, and he had visited all the mining of the Buller district, and now the Grey district, and he was able to see what the miner’s life was like outside the mine. After his visit to Den- > niston, Burnett’s Face, Stockton ana Millerton, he would like to congratulate the people of Runanga on then township; it was a credit to the miners co-operatively and to the Government Departments who naa assisted in providing amenities ioi the town. He did not think the township of Denniston was a credit to anyone. The Government was going ahead with the provision, of homes for the people, and something would have to be done in the mining townships of the Buller to provide homes and surrounding amenities for the

miners and their families, on a par with those enjoyed by workers in other parts. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr Nash, on the motion of Mr G. English. Supper . was served by ’ the women’s committee of the branch.