REFORM GATHERING

Grey River Argus, 17 April 1929, Page 5

REFORM GATHERING

Sir W. Nosworthy ASHBURTON BANQUET. ASHBURTON April 16. His services to the people of Ashburton County over a period of twenty years as Member for the District and as a Minister of the Crown, were recognised to-night when Sit Wm Nosworthy was entertained at a ban quet given by the 'citizens of the town and country. There was an at endance of about 300. representing local bodies and the public. Th e guests were: Sir Heaton Rhode:, Mr T. Dl Burnett, Mr D. Jones, Mr F. J. Rol leston. Mr F. G. Evans (Provinciai President of the Farmers’ Union), wtl'i presided, had with him the Mayor (Mt R. Galbraith).

Apologies for absene e were' received from Mr Coates and the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward. The former eulogised the work of Sir W. Nos worthy as a Minister of the Crown, saying tha: he never had looked for a gap in the fence. Mr J. Carr (County Chairma-n), ir proposing the toast qjf the gue t spoke in glowing terms of Sir W Nosworthy’s work for Ashburton sine c he was elected in 1908.

Sir Wlilliam Nosworthy said that he had no thoughts iu the matter a present, but if an occasion ever arose b e would unsheath his sword and would again enter the fight. A grandfather clock was presented t 0 Sir W. Nosworthy, and a gift for Lady Nosworthy. Mr D. Jones, in his speech, argued the claims of co-operation, saying tha too much time was spent in finding ways of stopping men from working If Parliament tackled the problem of the unemployed as they knew it should be tackled, it would be solved. He said that the guaranteed rate of 14s per -day was ih e wors» blow ever struck at New Zealand workers. The coming Parliament would be a most important one, and the members would have to bend to meet the blast