MINISTERS HONOURED

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1942, Page 3

MINISTERS HONOURED

Messrs Semple and O’Brien

GATHERING AT HOKITIKA Many Westland residents gathered at Hokitika on Saturday evening to honour the Minister of Public Works (Pion. R. Semple) and the Minister of Transport and Marine (Hon. James O’Brien) for the work that they had done in furthering the development of South Westland. Mr Semple and Mr O’Brien were each presented with chiming clocks and Mrs Semple was presented with a handbag and Mrs O’Brien with a silver tea service. Mr T. P. O’Neil, chairman of the Westland County Council presided over the gathering. Mr J. Donovan paid high tribute to the work done by Mr Semple as Minister of Public Works. He had an onerous job to perform, and had advanced road construction not only in South Westland, but throughout the South Island until the outbreak of the war had put an end to the programme. Mr W. Jamieson congratulated Mr Semple on the remarkable progress which he had made in the furthering of public works during his term or office. The roads and bridges of South Westland were a lasting monument to him. He hoped that soon Westland and Otago would be connected by the completion of the road over the Haast Pass. Mr P. J. McLean added a further tribute, making particular reference to the work of Mr Semple, in furthering aerodrome construction. The country would have been in a sore plight at present if it had not been for the work of Mr Semple in this respect. Mr G. Rowley referred to the machinery introduced by Mr Semple in carrying out his public works programme, which would be of great use in putting through the road over the Haast Pass after the war was over. Mr W. Searle paid a high tribute to Mi’ Semple’s work. Mr R. Bond coupled Mr O’Brien s name wilt. that of Mr Semple in the work I hat had been done for South Westland. He said that Mr O’Brien had exercised himself to the fullest extent for the betterment of the district. , , , , Mr A. Bradley congratulated Mr O’Brien and Mr Semple on the work they had done. . Mr G. H. Chapman, Chairman of Directors of Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd., spoke of the work that Mr Semple had done in making landing fields

tor aircraiL. rauw needed, and he was Quite suie Mi Semple would see that what was necessary was done when the opportunity came. Mr B. Ward said that under previous Governments Westland had been the Cinderella of New Zealand. He spoke of the fine development of roading under Mr Semple and the introduction of electric power. Mr O’Brien, moreover, was one of the greatest friends Westland had ever had. ~ Mr Mark Wallace said that the policy of the present Government had been of great benefit to the farming community. Mr P. Hazel spoke of the big areas of land on the West Coast that could be brought into production through the application of science, and endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Mr J'. A. Murdoch added a further tribute, referring particularly to the personal popularity of Mr O’Brien, even among those who did not support him politically. Mr M. H. Houston, chairman ot Ihe Hokitika Harbour Board, men-, tioned the fine work done by Mr Semple in railway construction as well as roading, and to his introduction of machinery. He also spoke of the work done for his electorate by Mr O’Brien. Mr A. R. Elcock, Mayor of Hokitika, also paid tribute to Mr O’Brien and Mr Semple for the work they had done. . The speakers reiterated their remarks in further speeches in honour of Mr O’Brien, and both Ministers spoke in reply. ■ Mr D. J. Evans, Westland County Clerk, said that it had been intended to erect a memorial to Mr Semple on the dividing line between Westland and Otago. A move to do this was inaugurated four years ago, and subscriptions had come in.. The war had prevented the carrying out of the project and the money obtained had been devoted to the presentation mad e at this gathering. ’ A tribute to Mr Evans and his persistence in furthering the interests of Westland was paid by the Chairman (Mr T. P. O’Neil). A tribute was also paid to Mr e,-B. Evans, district Public Works Engineer. Mi' Semple, in reply, referred to the magnitude of the task he had to undertake! when he took over the Department of Public Works when the present Government came into office. There was no equipment available, but he set out to study the methods used in the most developed countries in the world, and the Prime Minister (the late Mr Savage) gave him the opportunity to securp what eauipment he required. The goodwill of Mr O’Brien and other members of the Party, and the confidence of the Prime Minister backed him up. The equipment obtained for public works had proved a blessing in disguise, for it had enabled the construction of aerodromes and other war preparations to be carried out at a speed which would have otherwise been impossible .

POST-WAR PLANS. Mr Semple referred to the work that would have to be done for the reinstatement of those heroes and their sacrifices should be rewarded. As Minister of Public Works and Minister for Rehabilitation, he would then create a n organisation that would stagger the world and which would be far superior to anything y.et known in this country. A place would be found for the returned men in the scheme of things. The boys had got to be protected and rewarded by the people. : They would not have to live on the dole. It was hoped that the road connecting South Westland and Otago would be completed, the Minister said. In all, £2,500,000 had been spent on Westland, and crocodile tears had been shed for the occasion, although £70,000,000 had been spent on war. Mr T. Duff paid a high tribute to Mn O’Brien and spoke of the work that had been, done by him and Mr Semple in furthering the progress of work in South Westland. Tributes to Mi’ O’Brien were also paid by other I speakers. 1 . ’ , , . Mr. O’Brien, in reply said that he might have to do some unpopular things in carrying out the duties ol his new portfolio. Mr. Semple had carried out a great saving in petrol and tyres, but at present commercial tyres would qnlv last another two months. He praised Mr. Semple for what he had done, but indicated that further savings might be necessary in the future. He expressed his best thanks to all stating that he was especially pleased at the presentation to Mrs. O Brien. Anything he had done would not have been possible without the co-operation and assistance from Mr. Evans. No matter who the member for Westland happened to be, Mr. Evans had done a great job for the district. With his new position he had some heavy

responsibilities to carry, and it would mean that he would have to reside in Wellington. He felt deeplv at having to leave the district, where he had made so many friends. It had always been a pleasure for him to do all he could to advance Westland. In the future as in the past, he said he would strive to do his best for Westland.