NOMAD NO LONGER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7033, 22 January 1910, Page 2

NOMAD NO LONGER

.LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN ITS PERMANENT HOME. OPENING CEREMONY. To celobato fcho occupation by the Labour Department of the commodious promises (comprising the firsb and second floors of Te Aro Post Office) recently built for it in Ghuzne© street, a pleasant function organised by the officials of tho department was held in tho new rooms yesterday. The building—a bright and airy structure —having been inspected, the guests, hi number more than a hundred, assembled in one of the upper rooms, where it had been arranged that the Honourable the Minister for Labour should perienn the opening ceremony. Having welcomed the visitors on behalf of the officials, Mr Millar said that he know of no department which had led so nomadic an existence as the one which they had assembled to see ushered into its new homo that day. It had been hawked about from pillar to post in a quite remarkable way, and be was pleased that at last it had got into a permanent abode whore the conditions as Regarded room, light and ventilation wore such as would enable the staff to do satisfactory work. The result must bo beneficial not to the staff only but to ail who had business with tho department. When they considered that on the permanent staff of tho department there were ninety-three officers, whilst its inspectors numbered a hundred and eighty, they would realise how rapid bad been its growth. Tho premises having been declared open the party adjourned to the main room, where tables were temptingly laden with light refreshments. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward arrived tvfc this stage and took their scats on the right of Mr E, Trogear, Secretary for Labour, who presided. Other guests were the Hon. 0. M. Luke, vice-president, and Mr Yv. Pryor, president cf the Employers’ Federation, Mr Noot, Trades and Labour Council Executive,* Mr J. Lomas, Chief Inspector of Factories, Mr P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, and Messrs Reyling and Hutcheson. Apologies were rend from the Horn, R. McKenzie, Mr TV, T. Foster, president of tho New Zealand Employers' Federation, Mr J. P. Luke, M.P., and others. A number of toasts were honoured,. the principal speeches being reported elsewhere. Songs were contributed by Mrs Kennedv and Mr W. TV 7 . Goudie;