CHAIRMAN NOW A MINISTER

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1930, Page 13

CHAIRMAN NOW A MINISTER

TRIBUTE TO THE HON. S. G. SMITH. WORK FOR EDUCATION BOARD. The elevation to the Ministry of the Hon. S. G. Smith was the subject of a congratulatory resolution passed by the Taranaki Education Board yesterday. Mr. Smith, who is chairman of the board; was later the guest of the members at luncheon. Mr. P. J. H. White said Mr. Smith was held in very high regard for the work he had accomplished for education. Every member of the board would join in congratulating him upon the signal honour conferred on Mm. Mr. White said he had been associated with Mr. Smith in educational affairs in New Plymouth and Taranaki for - 25 years. Long before either of them had become members of the board they had been keenly interested in educational matters. Both of them were associated with the project to combine the technical and high schools. He paid a tribute to Mr. Smith’s thoroughness in everything he had taken up. His work was not confined entirely to New Plymouth, but outside of his political career there were many evidences of his work in the province. As Minister of Labour he felt that Mr. Smith’s activity would not be divorced from his favourite study of education. The portfolio he held was one with which no member could do all that he wished under present conditions. He knew he voiced the feelings of the board in wishing Mr. Smith every prosperity and success, and in trusting that as far as possible his ideals would be realised.

The motion was seconded by Mr. A. Lees, who expressed his entire confidence in Mr. Smith’s ability to carry out his Ministerial duties with the same enthusiasm and ability that had characterised his' work for education. Other members of the board expressed similar sentiments.

In reply Mr. Smith said it would be a very sad moment for him when he had to leave his position as a member of the board and bid farewell to his colleagues. His work on the board had always be"en. a labour of love and had been directed for the benefit of the people. He had very happy recollections of his experience as member and chairman, and owed a great deal to the members for the kindness and the assistance always given him. It was true that the position he had accepted was “a man’s job,” and its problems ones that had not been solved in any part of the world. Unemployment' was largely a result of the changed conditions of industry. One of the saddest phases of his work was the part relating to the many instances of suffering and privation caused through unemployment. To this matter he had given serious consideration and would shortly bring proposals before Cabinet. He hoped the results achieved would merit the very kind expressions of the members. It was his object to justify the promotion given him. In paying a tribute to the staff and the inspectors Mr. Smith said that when he left the board he would take with him only happy recollections of his service with it.