City Entertains Sir James Gunson

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 417, 27 July 1928, Page 7

City Entertains Sir James Gunson

Supper at Town Hall “HERITAGE OF PROGRESSION” Following tli© meeting of the City Council last evening the council entertained Sir James Gunson, ex-Mayor, at a miniature banquet. In welcoming Sir James back to Auckland the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, referred to the heritage of progressive work left by Sir James, and the progress of the movement toward Greater Auckland evidenced by the amalgamation of Tamaki, Orakei and Avondale. Several councillors added tributes. Sir James said that during his travels through 12 countries he had noticed that pride of citizenship was a characteristic in which all nations shared. Throughout Europe there were evidences of a growing interest in public life. “Here in New Zealand we have not reached our maximum,” he said. “AVe are in our infancy, and development is the order of the day. If we do not go ahead we stagnate, and we should not be afraid of being bold so long as we have a clear policy.” Referring to unemployment difficulties, he said: “New Zealand can hold millions of people, and over-population is not the real cause of unemployment. If we cannot employ our million and a-half our organisation is defective, and we need a system which will absorb willing men in useful work. AVe want intensive industry. Our unemployed have a right to expect work, and it is a failure in organisation if the demand is not met.”