MINISTERIAL VISIT

Grey River Argus, 9 May 1935, Page 8

MINISTERIAL VISIT

HON. G. S. SMITH Local Matters Discussed Yesterday the Minister of Education and Employment, Hon. S. G. Smith, had a full day i n Greymouth and district, inspecting schools, opening the new Runanga School, and receiving deputations following the civic reception in the evening. SEDDON MEDALS PRESENTED. Yesterday morning at the Grey Main School, the annual presentation of the Seddon Medals was made. There were i present, the Minister and Mrs. Smith, Messrs J. O’Brien, M.P., A. H. Ihle (District Public Trustee), H. J. Bignell (Education Board), R. A. Barrowman, W. Scott and J. Tennent (School Committee), Archdeacon J. A. Jermyn and Mrs. Phelan and Mr. J. Shannon, parents of the medal winners. An apology was received from Mr. J. Mulcare (County Chairman) one of the trustees of the Medal Fund, and also from the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Greenslade), another trustee.

Mr. Barrowman, as Chairman of the School Committee, welcomed the Ministerial party, and expressed pleasure at having the Minister of Education present for the first time to present the Seddon Medals. The Minister returned thanks for the welcome that had been given him' on his first visit to the West Coast. He congratulated the boys and girls, who were assembled in front of the school, on their appearance, and expressed the opinion that they must livu in a vefV healthy place. His Department endeavoured to give the boys and girls of New Zealand playing areas and well ventilated schools, to enable them to do their best in their school life. The thing he wanted them to remember was that when they left school whoever may want to engage them, would want to know what sort of a character they bore, and if everyone could say it was good, then he was sure that they would be in the running for any position they might desire. He congratulated the medalists on their success, and said that 11 showed that they paid attention to what they were told. He was proud to ask Jack Beresford Shannon and Betty Phelan to accept the medals, anl nt his call cheers were given for them. In conclusion the Minister asked the Chairman of the Board to grant the children a half holiday in honour of his first, visit to the West. Coast, and to celebrate the victory of the medal ists. Mr. O’Brien traced the history of the medals, referring to the great work of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, and how the people of Greymouth and district had wanted to perpetuate his memory, and had subscribed the sum of money which provided the fund for the provision of the medals. He con gratulated the teachers and the headmaster of the Main School on the fine work they had done in again having two pupils winning the medals, and the winners on their success. Tn conclusion he expressed the hope that the Minister would again be present at the ceremony next year, and that the boys and girls would remember the work of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, in whose memory the medals were presented. Mr. Barrowman announced that an ex-pupil of the school had expressed his intention of giving a prize for an essay on the life of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. The conditions would be announced later, and there was a chance that it would be made an annual prize. He had conferred with the Headmaster and they had agreed to the Minister’s suggestion to grant a half holiday. Cheers were given for the Minister and Mrs. Smith, and at the conclusion of the ceremony the Minister met the staff, and inspected the school. J*' SCHOOLS INSPECTED. Following on the ceremony at the Main School the Ministerial party proceeded to the Technical School, where they were met by the chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. T. E. Coates, the Principal (Mr. R. McLaren) and Messrs A. TT. MeKane and J. B. Kent (members of the Board), Mr. P. C. Webb, M.P., was also present. The Minister inspected the school, including the engineering workshop and the Ministerial party was then entertained at morning tea. The Minister then addressed the pupils, urging upon them the necessity of taking full advantage of their opportunities whilst at school, to fit themselves for their future life. Messrs O’Brien and Webb also addressed the pupils urging them to make the utmost of the opportunities now given them;

Following on an inspection of the Technical School Hostel the Minister proceeded to St. Columba Hall, where the children of the Convent and Marist Schools were assembled. He was met by Very. Rev. Father J. Long, Administrator of the Parish, and Rev. Brother Emilian (Director of the Marist Brothers School). On the Minister’s entry the assembled cihldren sang “God Defend New Zealand,” and Very Rev. Father Long welcomed the Minister and thanked him for including the Marist and Convent school in his itinerary. Messrs O’Brien and Webb briefly addressed the children reminding them rff the wonderful advantages and teaching they enjoyed, and urging them to take advantage of it. The Minister thanked Very Rev. Father Long for the cordiality of his welcome and said that it had been a revelation to him to see the number of children assembled in the Hall, from a town of about 7000 population. Tn his own town there were a, population of about 20,000 but not. near as many children attended the Catholic schools as in Greymouth. Tn the Catholic Schools one was always struck by the, respect paid by the children to their teachers, the manner in which they were taught singing and arithmetic. The children should never forget the loving sacrifices and devotion to dutv made on their behalf by their teachers. He urged the children to listen io them, and to mould a good character, bo that they would become a credit co their school and their country. Rev. Brother Emilian, on behalf of the Rev. Sisters and Brothers, and the boys and girls thanked the Minister for his visit, and for the kind and inspiring words he had addressed to them.

At the request of the Minister the the children were granted a half holidav in honour of his visit.

Cheers were given for the Minister and Mrs. Smith, and the Minister then

inspected the school buildings and the Convent.

The Ministerial Party then proceeded to the Cobden School, where the Minister was met by Messrs A. H. MeKane and F. Eggleton (members of the Committee), H. R. Barrett (headmaster) and R. Wild (Education Board).

Mr. Barrett welcomed the Minister to the school.

Mr. MeKane referred to the fact that beside the fundamentals thrift was also taught in the Cobden School. Five years ago the headmaster had started a banking scheme and now there was over £6OO banked from Cobden. The Minister addressed the children, and as in the other cases announced that he would grant them a half holiday. Cheers were given for the Minister and Mrs. Smith,' and the Minister then met the staff and inspected the school. COBDEN. Mr MeKane (Chairman of the Committee) pointed out the need for improvements to the school grounds, and after an inspection, the Minister agreed to make a special grant of £5O. CIVIC RECEPTION.

The Minister and party (were last evening tendered a civic reception in the Borough Council Chambers b-v the Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade). The Mayor said that it was his pleasure to express the appreciation of the citizens for having a visit from, the Minister and Mrs Smith, and also from Mr Bromley and the staff. It was a real pleasure to welcome the Minister and express appreciation* of the he had given under his two 'important portfolios. They all realised the importance and the difficulties of them, and appreciated the sympathetic way in which the Minister had approached his problems. They also appreciated the assistance that had been given by Mr Bromley. He expressed tjie hope that the Ministerial party would have a happy time on the West Coast and carry away uleasanl of their visit*

Mr J. O’Brien, M.P.. also extended a welcome, and complimented the Minister on the amount, of work he had put in since he arrived on the West Coast.

Mr P. C. Webb. M.P.. and Mr P. J. McLean (Chamber of Commerce and Harbour Board) also extended a welcome to the Minister and party.

In reply, the Minister said he appreciated to the fullest what had been said- and the very cordial welcome that had been extended to him. He had already indicated that it was his earnest desire to assist the Coast more than in the past, as he had been able to get first-hand knowledge of its problems. He hoped that within a few 'months he would be able to ask the co-operation of those interested in further relieving the unemployment- problem and he knew that he would get all possible co-operation from the West Coast. The future would' tell (whether he was to be a champion of the West Coast, or whether it was only lip service on his part. He must refer to the excel lent work that the mining executives were doing. They had taken a lot of men from the cities and he hoped that in the futujre they would be able to take them off relief altogether. He was very hopeful that the mission of the Prime Minister and Mr Coates would be successful. He knew the. difficulty facing Cabinet through the desire of the Old Country to put two million more men on the land there. New Zealand had to co-operate with the Old Coirn’try. They could not hold a pistol at her head, but if New Zealand could gd something like stabilised prices for the next, three or four years they would then be able to say that they had emerged from the depression, and map out their programme accordingly. When the final washing up took place.’he did not. think that any par' of the Empire would come out better Than New Zealand. Messrs Webb and O’Brien were two of his strongest opponents in Parliament, and it wan very pleasing to him that apart from party polities, they had been present to extend him a (welcome. He had never heard a! discordant or hostile note since he had been on the West Coast, although he had met people whom he knew bv repute to be bitterly hostile to ’the Government, and he appreciated it. DEPUTATIONS. The deputations wore then introduced to the Minister by Mr O’Brien. The first was from the Chamber of Commerce,' and on their behalf Mr P. J. McLean urged the completion of the Kumara Junction-Flowery Creek road as a work of national importance which offered a splendid opportunity for the unemployed. The request was supported by Mr A. R. Wallis, who stressed the extra travelling required to get to business interests in South Westland which jwould be eliminated if th« deviation was constructed.

On behalf of the Greymouth branch of the. Automobile Association. Mr G. R. Harker also supported (he request. In reply, the Minister »aid that the Unemployment Board did not come int(O the problem of the road immediately. They had no power to say that they would go on with the road. It was purely a Highways Board scheme in the first instance. If they adopted the work, and asked the Unemployment. Board for assistance, then they would come into it. The plan which had been put before him of _the proposed deviation spoke, for itself. He had never heard it disin Cabinet, however, and he did not knoiw why it had not been done in ten years. Tie must remind ■Jie deputation. however, I'liat the Government had been assailed more than anything else over constructing main highways paralle,! with railways. Ho had seen deviations made while backblock settlers were still without access. As_.far as h«> was concerned, he thought, thait settlers who wore carving a - home out of the wilderness should have access before deviations wore constructed. He could assure the deputation, however, that on his return to Welling'.on he would discuss the matter put before h : m with his colleague, the Hon. Minister of Public Works.

Mr P. J. McLean urged the putting in order of the Croesus track, up the Paparoa raii£e J o assist in the development of the gold industry.

Mr P. <?.. Webb spoke in support of the reoiiest, and expressed the opinion that systematic prospecting 'in the viei-nity of Croesus might result, in a very successful find.

The Minister: Wo have put the track in order up as far a s we have men working for us, and what yon are asking is for. a private, company. If the company is prepared to find some money, then the Board is pre-

pared to give you a substantial subsidy. Mr McLean: There has not been a company formed, it is just a few individuals interested in the development of the area.

The 'Minister: If you start a standard wage job we are prepared to give you £2 per week per married man subsidy.

The Mayor, as a member of the syndicate! interested in the Croesus also urged the putting in order of the track. The Minister said (hat he had made a pretty substantial offer and the deputation should think it over and let him know.

Mr McLean undertook to give the Minister tin answer lafier. but said that he still thought it was the duty of the Board.

The next deputation was from the West Coast 1 Aero Club, and on their behalf. Mr A. J. McDowall Minister to support their application for a loan o'f £2OOO from the Government, to provide gear and plant. In reply, 'the Minister said that he would malFc it- is his business to discuss fully with the Minister of De fence what could he done to assist aviation on the West Coast. He thought thaT the West Const deserved special consideration owing to its geographical position.

Mr - T. E. Coates, on behalf of the Technical High School Board of Governors. asked for a grant of £lOO for painting and repair work at the school, and for making the playing area safe. The (work would require £lBO, but, the Board were only asking for £lOO.

The Minister; If the cost of the repairs to the school are estimated at £lB6, T am prepared to make you a grant of xl2o. (Applause).

On beha’f of the Westland Timber Workers’ Union, Mr F. L. Turley asked 'hat the Minister see that the tax on mill employees’ lodgings be deducted on an equitable basis, and charged on what they actually paid, not on wfiaT it was estimated they should be charged.

Mr J. W. Callwell, on behalf of the employers spoke on the same matter, pointing out that the men did not get any less wage if they were not living in a mill hut. Tip trusted the Minister would look into it, and withdraw the claims .which had been made On the nominal value of the hut., and for back tax, of which the millers would not be able to recover 25 per cent.

The Minister said that he would look into the position and see that there was no injustice. and would communicate with the members of the deputation later on. A deputation consisting of Messrs IT. Carter and D. Shannahan, from the Farmers’ Union, were present to

urge the reirista•omenl of the No. 4A Scheme but tliey were not required to speak, the Minister announcing it

had already been decided to reinstate the sehemn during the 'winter. Air O’Brien and ’,hp Mayor thanked the Minisipr and Mr Bromley for the sympathetic hearing they had given the deputations. On the motion of the Minister, a motion of thanks to the ?Javor for p? esiding was carried by acclamation.