THE UNITED PARTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 12

THE UNITED PARTY.

AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIVES WELCOME FROM SUPiPORTERS.

CONFIDENCE IN SIR J. WARD.

Auckland's two representatives in the United Party Cabinet, the Hon. J. B. Donald, Postmaster-General, and the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, Minister of Health, arrived trom Wellington by train on Saturday morning, and were accorded a cordsal welcome by party supporters. With them returned Mr. G. 0. Munns, member for Roskill, Mr. J. 8. Fletcher, member for Grey Lynn, and Mr. H. R. Jenkins, memlier for Parnell.

Mr. J. Trevithick, chairman of the Auckland executivo of the party, termed the arx-ival of two new Ministers of the Crown and three new members ol' Parliament, all of Auckland, a red letter day. Extending a welcome on behalf of ilie citizens of Auckland, ho said: "Auckland in the past has had every reason to be proud of her Parliamentary representatives, but never more so than at the present time." The victory of the United Party under such a great leader as Sir Joseph Ward would result in immediately increased prosperity in the Dominion, lhe peoplo looked to the Ministers and members being welcomed to assist the Prime Minister to carry into effect his declared policy. " The Ambition of Years."

Mr. R. T. Michaels, a member of Mr. election executivo in Auckland East, extended the Postmaster-General an especial welcome. Supporters of the old tieial Party in the electorate felt they had achieved the ambition of years. Honour had been done to the electorate and province and it was hoped the Post master-General would long continue in office.

Replying to the welcomes, Mr. Donald said he regarded the office given him as an honour as much to the city as to him self. History was being repeated in Auck land East again being represented by a Minister. "The United Party is going to make good," he said. "There is no need to' worry about tRo calibre of its representatives in the new Parliament." A desire for a change of Government in New Zealand had come about, and for tho better. Ho stated definitely that there was no prospect of another election for some time to come. Reform newspapers had made much over happenings in Parliament on Thursday night, but there were strong men in the House who would, see the United Party's policy carried out. Unemployment Problem.

The Hon. A. J. Stallworthy referred to the strenuous days of the short session of the new Parliament, and said the United Party had accomplished the supreme task of replacing a Government which had occu pied the Treasury benches for 16 years Paying a tribute to Sir Joseph Ward, he 'escribed him as "the only great statesman in New Zealand." Within the last few days he had worked unsparingly 12 to 18 hours a day, surprising even his followers by his capacity. New Zealand was fortunate in having as Prime Minister a man of such sagacity. Signifiance attached to the passing of his Finance Bill. It went through without a division, so it might be said that the first proposition submitted by the United Ministry to Parliament went through unanimously. Tho Government had early applied itself to the problem of unemployment, and a real endeavour had been made to relieve a certain amount of distress before Christmas. Mr. G. C. Munns referred to the unanimity in the United Party regarding tha Cabinet appointments.