LABOR'S VICTORY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12735, 16 December 1935, Page 4

LABOR'S VICTORY

BANQUET AT CITY HALL *

CO-OPERATION NEED ~ STRESSED

Under tho auspices of the Gisborne branch* of,the Labor party, a banquet to. qelebrate ;the victory of the party. at the recent i elections was held in the City Hall on Saturday night. Though the » attendance . ..was ..very small,-'.the.function was an outstanding success from other viewpoints. and some, very able speeches were deliver .Vl’he * elmir was taken by Mr K. Harris who, at .the optset, pointed put that they 'had. gathered that evening to celebrate one *of,the most im porjfanti events in New Zealand s history. ,To most people-Labor’s victory was regarded ias the opening of a new era,in the Dominion, (in Labor’s success a great ..deal depended J or, once Labor had shown what it COhU do here, then other countries: would follow suit. Ho would have liked tot see a bigger attendance, but those present were representative, of practically,’■all'sections of the. community,. . . The first toast,, that of* the “N-Z. Labor Government” was proposed* by Mr G. R. A- AYKting, who recalled ■that, 30 years ago, following on the death of the Hon. R. J. Scddon, the Labor party", decided upon a legislative holiday. The speaker then traced the growth of .the . party, pointing, out that, alter some earlier, disappointments, Labor had never looked hack. After the War they became united into one body under Air 11. E. Holland. All would deeply regret that that grc'at leader was not alive to-day to share in the fruits ,pf; success which was due so much to the solid foundation he had laid.

Air Whiting added that he was convinced Labor would not let the people down and the: Alinis.ters chosen comprised the best combination it had ever been New Zealand’s, good fortune to have, hut .to . secure success, the co-operation of the people was also essential and he appealed.;strong ly for this.

Apologies for absence were read from the Prime Alinister,. the Hon AY. E. Barnard, and Air A. G- Hultquist.

DISTRICT AIEMBER’S REPLY

Air D. AY. Coleman, in reply, stated that he also was proud of, the opportunity of responding to such a toast. All through. New Zealand today one was hearing of the differenttone, even from those who, a • few weeks .ago, had viewed .with alarm the .’possibility of a. . Labor . Government. They neecl have no fears at all and Labor would do its job. Its policy would be put into operation, but this could not be done in a fortnight and there was..still something of ’a. struggle ahead. In 1905, he recalled,. there were nine Labor candidates and in that year it was decided to form a separate party., A otes secured by these candidates totalled 2478, about half as. inanv as he secured at the recent, election. In 1915 the 15 Labor candidates secured 15,917 votes. In 1908 four candidates were elected and in 1914 six, with votes totalling 49,0"7. The year 1925 saw 56 candidates and 184,000 odd votes, while in 1928 there were 15' successful candidates and 196.000 votes recorded. In 1931. there were 24 elected and 242.000 votes :or Labor. At the latest election, however. Labor votes numbered 392,0C0 • odd, which must be counted a wonderful achievement.

AYORK AYELL AYORTH AYHILE

Nothing was possible without much Work, but it was considered well worth while arid it was a p r o.ud moment when they found- themselves members of the Government. Tlie sue cess had not been brought about- by the members themselves, but by the many whose names were hardly known, yet were prepared, to sacrifice themselves for the good of the.party. All members felt a great debt of gratitude towards the many who bad worked without. reward because the candidates represented a cause they loved and desired to .see on top- On behalf of the Premier the speaker wished to say a “big thank you” ,to those who assisted in the campaignMr Savage also pointed out that Ris job now was to bring into.being the promises lie had made and this, the speaker knew .full well, would be done.

Ilr Coleman expressed his personal thanks to the members of the, electorate for tliei they ; had done all possible to bold .the seat for .Labo r , these men arid women who had worked, for the principles they loved, lie was.gratified to see present that, evening a. contingent from Nuliaka. , , . ... . - .... .. Cheers were then given for Mr Coleman,, followed- by the .singing of •‘For. He’s a Jolly Good ..Fellow”.

“EYES OF WORLD ON N.Z.”

The toast to the’ “Now Zealand Labor Party” was entrusted to Mr Alex Scott' who- mentioned that one difficulty .facing members, of the par-ty,-was that there was little, tra adit ion behind them. Mr Coleman had secured a notable victory* and. so had, the party. He quoted from the .classics to. the .effect .that Labor, representatives .served their . followfnen , and stressed that tlie present position was the consummation of, a long fight- „He had striven to. draw thq. forges, of. social credit .into, line iwith , Labor. Success, would, have. .Reen impossible without, .sound '..organisation VT ,of -the party. The eyes of the,. :world.we r e focussed on New Zealand and progressive’ forces looked ,on Labor as the fulcrum on which civilisation was .to be raised do requisite. and .desired standard,,of culture. . ,

The. response ivas by Mr J. McLean who returned- iliahks ; briefly and assured all supporters, that they would give.of thqir .bqst ih the' .future as' they .had/done in tlie past. REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE

The toast- to.’tlie. “Labor Representation Cormriittoe’* was-.classed by the proposer; Mr.,.P- Mpim, as one of tho most, important oh the .evening. The . commijh.ee .had-been' directing and controlling ali local activities as

f. nr afi tho Labor, party ; was concern-. >d ’ whetbe'r m local body politics o> the PaHinmontary field. It comprised dele'rales. from all and had fir ought victory within sight- but it was cssentsial to ; ’have .co-operatidi, and; working; activity, to effect the desired results. /.■•- . Air T. Jamieson, in reply, pointed out they were by, no means .a wealthy organisation and had recently organised, two campaigns. The fight in the future must be based to aid the ’’{Government and the individual iwhoi was best suited by ..his particular ability- Provided supporters put their * all behind their representatives 'with their hearts as well as their tongues, su,cooss was assured ..and that was' the only lasting form of loyalty.

groavth op unionism

The Rev. D. J- Daniel, toasting “Industrial Unions” stated that to his, view real history comprised the story of the economic emancipation of Great Britain, which was still not complete. Unionism began with the coming into being of present day conditions —the factory , system—until to-dav almost every phase of. industrialisation had come under the union movement. He recalled the stakes, lockouts, and other fights which were woven into to-day’s unionism which had had to adapt itself to. changing conditions. There were wonderful machine* which had revolutionised industry to-day, hut they drastically curtailed the number of men employ ed! Five hundred men, working full time, could supply the whole of Britain with shoes- The unions to-dav were full of misgivings as to the iuture, but one rising movement brought hope, the solving of the money problem. “Though” added Air Daniel, “I am. not a prophet or the son. of a. prophet, even though I bear the name of one/'

LABOR LEADS THE AYORLD

Labor led the world, he continued, for ft had solved the problem. Labor claimed to be able to carry out- it* magnificent programme and this wa* possible only by the use of the credit of the community for the community and by the community. All Labor’* promises were contingent on this, and she would not fail. Labor would make unparalleled uistory in the next six months, leading the world into a new world and along these lines. Air D. Comber, in reply, said that it was perhaps excusable that they should give themselves a pat on the back, for industrialism constituted the foundation on which the present Government climbed to power, because Labor depended so much on organisation which had its basis in industrial unionism. The speaker could recall the time when unionism was locked down upon by the whLecollared brigade, but- that attitude was no.w largely overcome- Labor had a message for all classes of the community. The speeakr would like to hear what good accrued to the. country by the abolition of the Arbitration Court. It was well established that the best unionists were .the best workers.

Other toasts were honored as follows: “The Ladies” proposed by Mr J. H. Hall and responded to by Airs Alex Scott: “The Artists” proposed by Air E- Harris and responded to by Air Norman Lee : and “The Press . proposed by Air V. :Wise. . Proceedings closed with the singing of “The Red Flag.” During the evening very enjoyable items, all of which were encored, were given by the following: Songs. Misses G, Fanning and V. AlcCarthy. Messrs- Ansel!, -R. Sloan and AY. Turbitt: violin solos, Alaster Tom Lyle; dances. Mr John Thodey; cornet solos, Mr H. Alurphy ; reeitatafions, Air Norman Lee. Community singing was also greatly enjoyed.