Westport Welcomes Ministers

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 11, 14 January 1936, Page 6

Westport Welcomes Ministers

Enthusiastic Reception to Messrs Webb and Semple

MR HODGENS ALSO INCLUDED

Per Press Association,

WESTPORT, Last Night

Hons. P, C. Webb (Minister of Mines) and R. Semple (Minister of Public Works and Transport) were recorded a wonderful reception by the public uf Westport. The Mayor ana Mayoress, Mr and Mrs J. Kilkenny, and officials of the Westport branch of the Labour Party went through lo Reefton, aud members of local bodies and other representative citizens met the Ministers at Inaiigahua Junction.

At the crossroads about four miles from the town a stream of some forty cars, motor-buses and other vehicles held up the road to give the Ministers a rousing reception, and escorted them back to Westport, where tho Municipal Band led a procession to the town hall, with citizens lining the footpaths and then gathering eu masse at a civic reception.

The Mayor (Mr Kilkenny), in tho course of a eulogistic address, said the visit of the Ministers was a gesture of friendship. Tho Government was going to do its own job and Westport would get its share of what was going. Tho Mayor also extended a civic welcome to Mr J. Hudgens, I'M’, for Palmerston, llis welcome was endorsed by Mr J. H. Powell (county chairman) aud Hon. W. H. Mclntyre who promised all the help possilde from the council and staff, and who said j\lr Savage had a splendid team in his Cabinet of men who were all out to do their best for the country. Mr Hudgens, replying, recalled the long years of struggle by the Labour party and tho good services rendered to it -by Messrs. Webb and Setupie, and said the Government was expected to do big things for the betterment of humanity, and would do them. Hen. P. C. Webb, replying, returned thanks for the wonderful welcome. Lt was an inspiration to the now Government to find the people so heartily co-operating with them. The days of talk were over aud the hour of work had arrived. The day of a bankrupt community was going, and businessmen

would realise that an extra £1 in the hands of the workers was also to their advantage. Ho felt deeply grieved at the deaths of Messrs Frank Roche ud Bob Weekes, lifelong friends, and regretted that tho late Mr Harry Holland was not present as member for Bullcr and Prinio Minister.

The job ahead was not an easy one, but with tlie co-operation and goodwill of tho people ho believed the Labour Government would greatly improve tho conditions in New Zealand. What mattered was uet how long one lived, but what lie accomplished while he lived. Mr Webb concluded with h warm tribute to his Minister colleague who was in every way worthy of their great reception.

Mr Semple, who, like Mr Webb, was given an ovation, said no Government could face with 100 per ce-t. degree of confidence its stupendous task without the goodwill, co-operation and assistance of the people. He believed that the Labour Government was assured of these. It would let no board or commission stand in the way of Us accomplishing its job. It would steer its own political course. The Minister paid a warm tribute to his officers, who were all highly capable for their respective tasks. The Government was out to give the people a degree of comfort hitherto denied them, and not as a privilege but as a right. I here was nothing wrong with New Zealand in the matter of soil, sunshine, mineral wealth and mechanism, but the wealth created was not getting back to the people; and it was tuu job of the new Government to see that this was done. They had 20,0011 boys leaving school every year r.ud finding no niche in employment for them, and 50,000 others on relief work. Tho Government would see that justice was done to them and that they were given their opportunity in life. The basis was service. He had no lime for the scrounger and tho exploiter who did not want to work. People who said the Labour party would be wreckers would live to regret it. They were builders, thinkers, creators, repairers, and would do their job and do it well.

To-night the .Ministers arc being entertained at a civic ball.