LABOUR MOVEMENT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 February 1936, Page 8

LABOUR MOVEMENT.

MR. C. L. HUNTER, M.P., HONOURED

VICTORY SOCIAL AND DANCE

With numerous visitors present from as far distant as Shannon, Foxton, and Tokomaru, together Avith a large contingent from throughout the Otaki electorate, the Druids' Hall was crowded to capacity upon the occasion of the social tendered last evening to M.r. C. L. Hunter, M.P. for Mana.wa.tu, and Mrs. Hunter, by the Levin and district branch of the Labour Movement.

Dancing to the snappy strains of the popular Bandits' Dance Band was the main diversion of the evening, in which despite the humid nature of the atmosphere, young and old alike joined with zest, while several individual items by local artists, added further 'interest to the proceedings. Of these, vocal solos were rendered by Mr # 11. 11. Townsend, elocutionary items were presented by Air. W. 11. Hocking, and a, cornet duet was played by Messrs 11. Pickering a nd Crocker. Mr. Ah Collier also entertained with, a novelty mouth-organ and castinets presentation. Accompaniments were played by Misses O. Stallard and M. Pickering,

while extra dance numbers were contributed during the evening by Mr. D. Morgan. Mr. W. G # Bishop ably car ried out the duties of MC. Addressing the gathering at an interval during the proceedings His Worship the Mayor, Mr. P.. W. Goldsmith, expressed his very great pleasure at being privileged to attend »u such an occasion and to extend • very hearty welcome, on behalf of tho ••iv.i/ens of Levin, to Mr. Hunter, as Member for

the district, and Airs. Hunter, voicing a hope that they would fine* every happiness among the peop.'e whom they represented. Mr. Goldsmith apelogisc-d for the unavoidable absence of Mrs. Goldsmith. The President of the local branch of the Labour Movement, Mr. J H. Taylor, read a list of apologies for absence, among the names being those of Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Hon. W. Lee Martin, Hon. R. McKeen, Hon. W. Nash, and Mr. A. S. Richards, M.P, hi addition to adding his words of welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Hunter to those of the previous speaker, Mr. Taylor spoke in appreciation of the presence of His Worship the Mayor, and also welcom-

ed to the function Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P. for Otaki, and Mrs. Lowry Mr. Taylor referred to the pride and esteem in which Messrs Hunter and Lowry -were held by their electors. The great Labour victory throughout the country at the recent election, he said, had been an indication of widespread dissatisfaction with the old system and these two gentlemen wouid do their; utmost; in carrying out the pledges made by the new Government, and thus hasten the advent of the better conditions which lie personally felt were in store. Mr. Taylor referred in glowing terms to Mr. Hunter's ability, draw- i

ing attention to the remarkable amount of activity he had already displayed in the interests of the district, On behalf of the Levin Ladies' League, Mr. Taylor then made to Mrs. Hunter the presentation of an attractive china tea set, expressing a wish for the long life of the recipient and her husband. Mrs. Hunter was also the recipient of beautiful bouquets from such organisations as the Returned Soldiers, the Old Age Pensioners, and members of the Hunter Clan of the district, and from the Levin branch of the Labour Movement, the Levin Band, the Ladies' League citizens of Levin and the L.R.'C. The presentations were

made by little Misses Morven Woolley, Brenda Bateman, and Grace Goodwin, Mri. L; G. Lowry, on behalf of Mrs! j { Lowry and himself, expressed pleasure at being enabled to attend the function and to join in extending congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Hunter. The Manawatu electorate, considered Mr. Lowry, had been most fortunate in its choice of a representative, having in Mr. Hunter a genuine worker and enc whose sole object in life was to serve, and he himself counted it a privilegeto be associated with him. Mr. Lowry .referred to the period approaching as .one of goodwill and greater happiness ifor all citizens, expressing tie opinion that at the end of their term in office

the new Government would at least be able to lay down the reigns 0/ administration having rectified some of the ( wrongs that had been caused in the past. ' The speaker voiced hi: gratification at Mr. Hunter's ultimate return after having fought a good, clean battle, and having fallen among (friends, was certain that both he \iv\\ Mrs. Hunter would in turn give of their I best

i, Upon rising to respond, Mr. Himfer ;\vas accorded enthusiastic musical honours and cheers by the assembly. Mr. expressed the sincere thanks of himself and Mrs*. Hunter for f .ica an opportunity of coming amount dn<i ,of meeting the electors, voicing appreciation also of the presentations which ,had boon made. H e also took the opportunity of further thanking those sup-j

j porters who had worked so willingly ;upon his behalf during the election to ensure his return.

j Throughout the Dominion, said Mr. '(Hunter, the definite policy of the Lab-

our organisation had had its appeal to the electors, and now as a result was

a definite hope for improved conditions in the near future, and of a higher standard of living. With the super-abundance to be seen on every hand, he said, poverty was unneces-

sary, there being needed only the will I to bring about a betterment, and this the Government was going 'to do its 'best to do. Mr. Hunter expressed his

sympathy with those who had/sustain

ed loss as a result of the week-end

storm damage, especially the farming community of the Makerua and Opiki districts. It was to be hopec-, he said, that Government assistance might be forthcoming in the alleviation of such distress. The speaker appealed to his hearers to have no diffidence in approaching him with their difficulties — neither he nor Mr. Lowry could see anything exalted in Parliamentary membership, and they remained workers among their fellow-citizens, l.n conclusion Mr. Hunter reiterated "is thanks, voicing a hope that the future would see many more such functions. A very dainty supper was served by the members of the Levin Ladies' League, following which dancing was continued until the early hours of the morning.

The occasion was arranged under the ausyieqs of the 'Levin and District branch of the Labour Movement, the President, Mr*. J. H. Taylor, acting as chairman of the organising committee and Mr. W. Scddon as secretary. A service that was greatly appreciated throughout the warm eveningwas the light refreshment booth f presided over by Mrs. and Miss McKiui)try and Miss E. Seddon.