OPENINGS IN PUBLIC LIFE

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1930, Page 13

OPENINGS IN PUBLIC LIFE

HON. 8. G. SMITH LOOKS 3AOK. When the Hon, S. G. Smith visited the West End school yesterday with Messrs. W. H. Jones and H. J. Abram to inspect the special class, he was requested by the headmaster, Mr. J. E. Shimmins, to address standards V. and VI. on the eve of his retirement from the Taranaki Education Board. The Minister emphasised the fact that the lowliest and the highest had equal chances to participate in the government of the country. In the course of his short impromptu address Mr. Smith reminded his listeners that he began public life as a-mem-ber of the West End School Being an old pupil of the school he drifted from West End ! to the executive of his alma mater, and became chairman. Then came an unexpected promotion to the Taranaki .EducationBoard, and-eventually to chairmanship of that august body. The Minister went on io explain in detail the procedure of election to Parliament. Fortune had favoured him in politics, he said, and ho had been invited to join the Cabinet bf his party, which was in power. Throughout his address Mr. Smith emphasised the fact that potential Prime Ministers 'v/cre among the children who listened to him. He stressed the fact that if they interested themselves In public affairs their country would benefit oven though they might not have the same success that ho had enjoyed. -