DUTY WELL DONE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11857, 21 June 1919, Page 7

DUTY WELL DONE.

NEW ZEALAND’S 'RECORD. A MATTER OF PRIDE. Speaking at the A. and P. Asso* ciatiou’s smoke concert on Thursday Sir James Alien (Acting-Prime Minister) after some appropriate preliminary remarks, said there was abundant evidence from outside New Zealand that the country stood higher than ever in the estimation of outside countries. In two years' time she would stand still higher. (Applause). Although the people had done their duty without any ulterior motive, the results w ould he that their material benefit would be enhanced by what they had done. The finances and commerce of New Zealand would stand pre-eminent because of their assistance to the Empire in her time of trial. But for the spirit of the people of New Zealand this result could not have been j achieved. Their energy, ability and resource stood behind our soldiers in the trials and privations which they had endured, and would stand behind the Government in the trials which it had yet to face. With regard to the return of our soldiers, the question ■was one any Parliament that would come into existence in the next four or five years would find most difficult to face. Generally speaking, they' could say that the Parliament had been hrucst and trustworthy, and ever}- member had tried to do his best in the interests of the country he loved. (Applause). It had been said that there had been dissension and friction among the members of Cabinet. To anyone who believed that he would say that it was a fiction good enough for an exciting novel. The members of the Cabinet had been loyal to oue another, and that had been an element whic'h had made it possible for them to bo successful. He did not say the Government had not made mistakes. They had had a difficult task to perform, and had had nothing to guide them. They had to build up a machine, keep it going, and constantly add to it. When comparisons were made ‘ with other countries and New Zealand they need not be afraid. (Applause). He did not know what the future Government would be, but the times j ahead of them were as momentous I as the periods through which they j had gone. They could not ignore j the fact that the war had brought about a better understanding between all classes, ami in the future j there would have to be more give j and take on both sides. The ques- | tion of industrial unrest had to be i solved, and a better understanding arrived at between employers and j employees. With these things to I face, ' a strong Government was j wanted, It was to the interest of j the people to see that the work of the country was curried on successfully during these trying times by a j Government brave enough and i courageous enough to find out_ the | right path and to stay on it. —Manuwatu Times.