MINISTER ENTERTAINED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19337, 29 May 1937, Page 18

MINISTER ENTERTAINED

LABOUR PARTY WELCOME DINNER AT TOLAOA BAY (Special to the Herald.) TOLAGA BAY, this day. Tiio Hon. Iv. Semple, All's, temple, Mr. A. Gordon Hultquist, ALP., and otlicr members of the Ministerial party were entertained at dinner at Mrs. Sliculhor’s dining-rooms by the Tolaga Hay branch of the Labour I’arty last evening. Including the party, there were 117 present, Mr. J. J\ Guthrie .taking the chair, and Air. and Airs. J. Watt acting as host and hostess. Alter a delightfully served dinner, Air. Guthrie welcomed the Alinis'e; and his party on behalf of the branch He remarked that Air. Semple's visii was an honour and the privilege o i entertaining him was unusual and unlikely to occur again in Tolaga Bay. He would like to gis’e credit on his own behalf and that of his party foi the tremendous amount of work that the Government, amt particularly the Public Works .Department had done in their brief span of ollice. The progress made on the Gisborne-Napier line, Air.-Guthrie said, had been a revelation to him. Air. Watt also welcomed Air. Semple, and said that now that the Minister had seen the Coast he would realise that.it was u part of New Zealand which needed development: and population. “N.Z. the Laboratory” He said that in welcoming the Alinister he did so, not only as Minister of Public Works, but, also on account of his career. Air. Semple was actuated to-day by the same principles as those on which the Labour movement was founded. “Xcw Zealand is the laboratory,” Mr. Watt went on, “for the testing of social legislation, not based on worn-out principles, but on facts, and inspired to bring about social progress. ’' Air. Basil It. Page expressed the regret of those who wore unable to attend the afternoon meeting, and requested that Mr. Semple would reiterate some of his earlier remarks. Air. Hultquist then rose, and said that lie regretted that he had not been able to give the other branches of the Labour Party the opportunity of entertaining Air. Semple. The tour had been very strenuous and Air. Semple unfortunately had caught a very bad cold. To hear from a man of ‘Air. Semple’s ability, he hoped, would be an inspiration to the party. In the face of reverses, the Laboui Party had come forward year aftei year representing the same principles under the same name. That the visit of the •Minister was appreciated was evidenced by the attendance of men of all walks of life. Air. Semple thanked the branch for the warmth of their welcome and for the hospitality they had extended to him and his party. Air. Guthrie and Air. Hultquist both thanked the Minister for his able and inspiring address.