PRIME MINISTER’S EAST COAST VISIT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6850, 4 March 1929, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER’S EAST COAST VISIT

APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATION. “NOT NEARLY AS BADLY OFF A 3 WE THINK” “Times” Special. GISBORNE, Last Night. A feature of the Prime Minister’a visit to Napier and Gisborne has been the number of references made publicly and privately to his hale and hearty appearance and at every gathering he has attended, hopes have been expressed by representative speakers of all sections that ho will live long to lead the party he so ably directed in the past. Graceful references in this respect were made by political opponents a ( tho civic reception accorded him oi Saturday night. Mr. T. Corson, speaking on behalf of the Roform interests, heartily welcomed Sir Joseph to the district. “We learnt recently,” he, added, “that you* / health has been improving and we hope you will remain in good health.” (Applause.) “We wish you every success.”

The cx-Minister of Public Works, Mr. K. S. Williams, M.P. for Bay of Plenty, said the whole of. the native race' would appreciate the action of the Prime Minister in coming to Gisborne to unveil the memorial to tho late Sir James Carroll.

“I am glad to see you here, sir,” he added, “and to see you looking SO well.”

“I expect to live for another 40 of 50 years,' said the Prime Minister, amidst laughter, when acknowledging tho welcome. “How much longer than that would you have a man live 1 ’ ’ In speaking at a social gathering later, Mr. Makitanara, Government member for the Southern Maori, described Sir Joseph as the deliverer o£ New Zealand. In the recent brief session he had fought until daylight for the interests of New Zealand and had won. “Yet,” said the speaker, “this is the decrepit old man, too old to be of use.” (Laughter and applause.) “There are many politicians in New Zealand but there is only one statesman —Sir Joseph Waid.” (Loud applause.)

At a civic reception, representatives of every shade of political faith were present and the Prime Minister waa cheered on his arrival and departure. Ho was given a rousing welcome at the social gathering organised by the local branch of the United Party, many tributes being paid to his distinguished services to New Zealand.

In the course of his reply, Sir Joseph referred to England’s recovery from tho war. Another country had tried to become tho main financial centre of the world but had got nowhere near London and, in his opinion, never could. (Applause.) We in New Zealand were not really as badly off as we were sometimes inclined to think. A letter he had received from Home declared that prices of wool and frozen meat would not fail and that those of butter and cheese would remain good. Nothing should be done which would harm tho product* of New Zealand and every help should bo given towards effecting improvements in the manufacturing industries. It was tho duty of the Government to do nothing that would detrimentally affect eithor the country or the town on the mass of tho people. The co-operation of all sections was required to advance the country’s best interests. (Applause.) “What we want,” he added, “is to pull together. We want Reform, United and Labour working with one another. Wo want mutual trust and forbearance and not each at the other’s throats all the time.” (Applause.)