HOKITIKA MEETING

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1938, Page 5

HOKITIKA MEETING

Messrs Webb and O’Brien ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. With an audience of over 409, one of the most enthusiastic meetings held in Hokitika for a lengthy period was addressed at Hokitika last even-ing-by Hon. P. C. Webb (Minister of Mines) and Mr J. O’Brien M.P. ■ The Deputy Mayor (Mr A. R. Elcock) presided, and remarked that neither speaker needed an introduction to a Hokitika audience. « '■ Mr O’Brien, who spoke for an hour, dealt in detail with the National Party’s manifesto, making comparisons with the actions of the National Party when in power prior to 1935, He dealt at length with the Labour Government's Social Security legislation, which he pointed out amidst ap* plause, removed the fear of want from the aged, and sick and the Infirm, and gave the widows and orphans a brighter outlook on life. Mr O’Brien thanked the people of Westland for the confidence they . had shown him in the past, and said that he had at all times endeavoured to do his best for the electorate. Hon. P. C. Webb, who was accorded an ovation on rising to speak, recalled that in 1913 he had been elected] for Grey, and had then preached the gospel which he and his colleagues had endeavoured with a great measure of success to put into practice during the past three years. To-day the rest of the world was looking to ( New Zealand, to judge the country a progressive legislation, and the peo-, pie were living in an age when things were changing rapidly. What was being said. about the labour Renders to-day was no worse than what had been said about Mr Seddon in his, time, but there were few now wlol did not appreciate The great value, of the Seddon Government’s legislation In old age pensions, and the introduction of worker’s cnmpfinsatlon. Mr Webb ventured the opinion that the time would shortly come when the ' Labour Government’s Social Security legislation would be regarded in similar light. After speaking of the part played by the last Government during the slump period, Mr Webb dealt at length «vith the prosperous conditions brought about in New Zealand as the . result of the Labour Government’s legislation, "The present Labour Governments legacy,” said Mr Webb, "is that it has crushed aside the business octupuses, has brought about the salvation of the business man, been the hope of the farmer, and proved to be the friend of the worker. The docks are now cleared, industry has been stimulated, provision has been made for everyone in want through sickness or infirmity, and thousands have not the dread that they had yesterday. We are able to hand over to the Labour Government that will be elected three weeks’ time a new New Zealand brought about as the result of our hard work. It will be for the people of Westland to show their appreciation by recording a unanimous vote for Mr O’Brien, one of the most highly respected men in New Zealand (Applause). The people know that I will help Buller more by going out and helping other Labour candidates to win than I will by staying in xny own electorate. I hope that the people of Westland will do the same with Mr O’Brien. This election resolves itself into a matter of results. Labour’s pledges have been honoured to the last, and New Zealand to-day is a thousand times better, enabling us to go on to a higher and grander life. All this has been brought about without having to borrow one bean from outside. The Labour Government has done so much that I am sure New Zealand is once again the envy of the world. The West Coast will be true to its traditions if it again sends Mr O’Brien out to help Labour candidates in other centres, so that once more the Government will be returned to power with a big majority, and I feel confident that the majority on this occasion is going to be greater than it is at present.” (Applause)? At the conclusion Mr O’Brien answered two question in regard to superannuation, and a motion of thanks to both speakers, and confidence in the Labour Government, was moved by Mr J L. Turner and seconded by Mr E, W. Heenan. The motion was carried with applause. . . . , After the meeting, the Ministerial party and Mr O’Brien were guests of the Hokitika Labour Party at supper. Delegates from the electoral commit-, tees in the.country districts were present and, gave reports indicating that Labour is likely to further increase its strength in these areas. Mr O’Brien expressed his appreciat tion of the work of the committees on behalf of the Government, and confidence that Labour would be returned to power with a large majority. Hon. Mr Webb also spoke congratulating the committees on their work. They were working, he said, not for individuals but for ideals which had been given legislative effect that would have fdr-reaching effects in New Zealand and overseas. • Cheers for Mr Webb and for Mr 9 O’Brien, and the singing o.f. “For They are Jolly Good Fellows” concluded a happy function.

MR WEBB’S ENGAGEMENTS. Hon P. C. Webb arrived in Gteymouth last evening, and leaves this morning for Westport where he addresses a meeting at the Foresters Hall tonight. To-morrow Mr Webb will open the new Rest Room at Reefton, and speak at the Criterion Theatre in the evening. On Friday night he speaks at Motueka and on Saturday at Takaka. Next week he will deliver addresses at Blenheim and Kalkoura. joining the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) at Christchurch) for his southern tour. Mr Savage INDEFINITE ARRANGEMENTS OWING TO EUROPEAN CRISIS WELLINGTON, September 20. The difficultiv in making: nefinite arrangements in advance for speaking engagements in other parts Of New Zealand because of the possibility of the international situation demanding his presence in Wellington was mentioned by the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) last night. > «I hope to leave Wellington by

the inter-island steamer express, on Monday night to speak in various centres in the South Island, said Mr Savage, “but in view of the uncertainty of the international situation my future movements at the present juncture are indefinite. In these circumstances I cannot be dogmatic and say definitely that I will be leaving 1 Wellington on such and such a day.”