REFORM RALLY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 March 1926, Page 6

REFORM RALLY.

A HAPPY GATHEBING.. MUCH ENTHUSIASM SHOWN. There was, despite the unfavourable weather, a good attendance of people from various parts of the province at the gathering yesterday afternoon at Taumata Park, Eltham, to celebrate the appointment of Mr Hawken as Minister of Agriculture. ]Mr T. B. Crump, ■chairman of the Beform League in Egmont electorate, presided and apologised for unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister (the Bt. Hon. J. G. Coates), Sir Francis Bill, Sir M. Pomare, Hons. W, D. Stewart, W. Nosworthy, A. D. McLeod, G. J. Anderson, B. Bollard, F J. Bolleston and J. A. Young, Messrs C. E. Bellringer, M.P., J. Bolleston, M.P., E. Walter, M.P., Sir W H. le Fleming, Messrs B. Dunn, G. W. Rogers. W. T. Wells, A. E. Washer, J. B. Hine, M. O’Brien and J. Sutherland. He explained that the object of the gathering was to enable all electors to give congratulations to the Hon. O. Hawken on his appoitment to the onerous position of Minister of Agriculture and Commissioner of State Forests. He referred to the Minister’s many qualifications for the positions and said he was sure Mr Hawken would discharge his duties well and' to the credit of himself and of the country. The speaker referred to the great importance of agriculture, the greatest industry in the Dominion, and said he was satisfied the Prime Minister, in calling Mr Hawken to take charge of this department, had recognised he was eminently fitted for the work. He felt sure that in taking that position Mr Hawken would not neglect the duties of member for Eg-, mont. and he was certain he. would be no less devoted as a Minister than as a private member. The Mayor of Eltham (Mr Ira J. Bridger) expressed his great pleasure at being allowed to take part in the meeting of congratulation to Mr Hawken, and in the name of the people of Eltham welcomed all to- the town and district. He paid an eloquent tribute to Mr Hawken’s character and to the regard in which he was held by all and said that the farmers were entitled to congratulation on having one of their own calling made a Minister. Mr Hawken held one of the most important portfolios, and he said he knew Mr Hawken would always welcome any assistance that could be given him by the farmers of the country. Mr J. B. Cpnnett, as member of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, added his congratulations and referred to his long association with the Minister in dairying and county matters. He remarked that the position attained was the most important one after that of the Prime Minister. He referred to the problems to be tackled: —control of dairy', produce, .noxious wetedte’ and many- others, and to Mr Hawken’s known ability to deal, with such problems. He hoped 1 he would long be spared to see the good results of his administration.

Mr D. Hebenton expressed his pleasure at being present to add. congratulations and to meet the electors of Egmont. He .said that during his travels all over New Zealand he had heard nothing but good said. of Mr Hawken, and he was certain Mr Hawken was going to make a great success of the work undertaken. He referred to Mr Coates’ known ability to pick the best men to be his lieutenants, and said in conclusion that Mr Hawked was going to do further honour not only to his electorate, but also to the. Dominion. ,

Mr H. G. Dickie, M.PI for Fatea, said he welcomed the opportunity of coining to offer felicitations to .Mr Hawken and to the people of Egmiont. Mr Hawken, had now done the “hat trick,” having been elected three times successively. He would like to add congratulations to Mrs Hawken, for: he knew how great ta help she had been to Mr Hawken in liis electoral work. He said the portfolio of Agriculture was the most important in the country, and they, were lucky in having two strong men for Lands and Agriculture, in view of the many great problems to be solved. He' referred to .the selection of the Agricultural College site, and to the serious drift-of the people to the towns, and said that everything possible must be done to obviate that drift. He urged the need for increased production on sound economic lines and the need of thei study of economao problems, which were liable to be neglected. Land values were! he added, still too high and must be adjusted to the eajuiing value... He added a tribute to the honour done Mr Hawken. and his electorate in his appointment as Minister. , ' ,

Mr Hawken, who was received, with loud applause, expressed his sincere thanks for the honour done to him and to Mrs Hawken, which, would be all his life an encouragement and inspiration to do his best. He knew tbe posir tion was high and important, and he realised’ the responsibility on him to do ah possible for the good of the country. He did. appreciate the goodwill shown to him, and he would. assure all that he had the well-being and progress of the country at heart. The, work or agriculture was of prime importance to the country. He sincerely thanked all his friends who had helped him in bis career as a public man. lhe country -and district had shown wonderful ‘progress, and he urged a’l'w take a very, long view, and they would sej, that New Zealand was a very favoured country. The people Were fortunate in th-G GovcrnmGii'b, and was no country where the amenities of life were more favourable, and where opportunity was always open to, al., The Standards ; of life now were infinitely superior to those of years ago.. Such conveniences as drainage, lighting, water and good roads were the best that could be given, and New Zealand as a whole was a most fortunate country. He referred to his having left Hawera and come to E’tham when he Mas elected member for Egmont, and now -he feared he would have to live in Wellington, and he was sorry to leave his very good friends in the electorate. It was the best dairying district in New Zealand, and Egmont showed greater production than any other part of the Dominion. He referred to the strenuous work, of the dairy farmer, the hardest of any, and Said’the problems, and difficulties would be faced bv the Government, in a spirit- of progress and enterprise, but they must hot make the pace tod fast. If they would have faith in the country all would come out right in the end. Some were inclined to be downhearted at the fair in prices, -but New Zealand wou ! d win out every time, although they might have to wait the turn of the tide, for there were better times coming. Tlie decisions to be made demanded thought and carer an “ they must always consider the best interests of the people generally. But production. was not increasing as it should, and it would be his utmost endeavour to forward this object by every means possible. He eou’d assure all that no consideration of wealth or class would affect him. He would treat all

just alike in every way, and He h<i|ed to be able to say in the future that he had -'iven all the same consideration. He once more thanked all for the high honour done to him at the gathering of people from all parts. Mr Hawken was greeted with hearty cheers as he concluded l . ' Afterwards a dainty afternoon tea was: served by the ladies, which was heartilv enjoyed by all. A pleasant gathering was terminated very happily-