MINISTER’S VISIT

Grey River Argus, 10 May 1935, Page 3

MINISTER’S VISIT

(Our Own Correspondent.) REEFTON. May 9. Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Education and Employment, amX P a, ’ty» niriveff in Reef ton at 11.15 a.m., yester.|av and were welcomed by the County Chairman, Mr J. B. Auld. Mr P. C. Webb, M.P.. for Buller and Mr Smith (Public Works Department Grevniouth) accompanied the Minister. At tin* High School there -were as sembled Hon. W. Mclntyre (Chairman of the Nelson Education Board) Mr E J. Scaii'tlebury (member), Air Th-orn-toir (Secretary), and members of the Reefton District High School Commit tee and Mr AV> B. Auld (Chairman of the Committee) welcomed the Minister. Hon. Mr Mcln-tyre also welcomed Mi Smith, whom he complemented on being appointed t.o Cabinet. Mr Smith, returning thanks, said difficult conditions had prevailed in schools in his boyhood. He regretted not having visited the Coast earlier with its glorious beauty and its won derful traditions. He warned all th*hoys and girls not 'to lose their oppor tunity of learning so that in later lift* they would not miss any opportunity of advancing, lie asked that the children be given a half-holiday, which 'the children welcomed unanimously. The Minister said he was their friend in the cause of education.

Three cheers were given by Hie child run fo.- the Minister, who then called for cheeri for the. teachers, which were given most heartily. lie asked Mr Holyoake, Member for the District to sav a few words. •

Mr Holyoake said that when hi* went to Parliament he felt like a schoolboy. Hon. Mr Smith was Chairman of Committees and he was a hard man, but was humane. He quoted the lines of “‘.he right, to live.” and suggested that this be taught to the child re n.