UNITED PARTY WILL MAKE GOOD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18639, 17 December 1928, Page 14

UNITED PARTY WILL MAKE GOOD.

AUCKLAND MINISTERS WELCOMED HOME. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, December 16. “ I can tell you that there will not j c-.r’.ether election fer some time to come.” This statement was made by the Hon J. B. Donald, Postmaster-Gen-eral, on his return from Wellington this morning. There was a large gathering of United Party supporters at the Auckland Railway Station to welcome home two new ministers, the Hon J. B. Donald and the Hon A. J. Stallworthy', Minister of Health. Cheers greeted the two Ministers as they' stepped from the train. “ I can tell you that Mr Stallworthy and I appreciate very much the honour you have done us,” said Mr Donald in reply'. “ I can tell you that the United Party is going to make good. If you had been in Wellington and seen the calibre of the men who have been chosen to represent the party you would not worry. The change in Government has not come too soon.” As things were at present, he said, he could not say too much, but he assured those present that there would not be another election for some time to come. Everyone in Wellington felt that the United Party would do its very best for New Zealand. Despite the fuss which had been made by Reform newspapers after the United Party’s policy had been announced, that policy was going to be carried out. They had men in the House who were strong enough to see to that. It might not be done right away, but it would be done when the time was ripe. Mr Stallworthy' paid a tribute to Sir Joseph Ward. The fact that he was the only great statesman in New Zealand had been amply demonstrated by the work which had been accomplished in the House during the past few days. Sir Joseph had been working at very great speed, usually for eighteen hours a day', and had surprised even his followers by what he had done. Mr Stallworthy referred to the fact that Sir Joseph’s financial proposals had been put through the House in record time, and it was significant that his Finance Bill went through without a division. There was not a man in the House who dared to call for a division. “ You will all be grateful that the first job of the Government was to apply itself to the problem of unemployment,” said Mr Stallworthy. “We are doing everything possible to relieve distress in all parts of New Zealand, and as a result many people will have a much brighter Christmas. Mr G. C. Munns, member for Roskill, said he hoped that before long another Auckland member would be given Ministerial rank. Mr Munns, in referring to the happy' relations which existed among the members of the United Party, said there had not been one atom of jealousy over Cabinet appointments. Had one Auckland member been in Wellington at the time Cabinet had been chosen, Auckland might have had three Ministers instead of two. HOPES TO SEE N.Z. IN FOREFRONT AGAIN. Per Press Association. DANNEVIRICE, December 15. Speaking at a civic reception tendered him to-da>\ the Hon E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, said the new Cabinet was looking forward to having an opportunity of again placing New Zealand in the forefront, enacting beneficent legislation, and making the Dominion an object-lesson to other parts of the Empire, as in the past. While he was convinced there were ample funds in the country at the present time, he was satisfied that there had been a lack of confidence among those handling large commercial and financial concerns, who had been afraid of placing fresh moneys in circulation. If the new Government could restore confidence in their financial institutions and an outlet was found for new work of a profitable nature, much of the stress would be overcome, and the Dominion would be on a fair way to progress once again. As Minister of Public Works, he had to deal with the great question of unemployment, and it was one of the serious problems which had to be grappled with. He was having investigations made with a view of having certain lands brought into profitable use, after a certain amount of development. These lands could absorb some of the men at present unemployed, which would go a long way towards alleviating the position. Eventually he hoped permanently to clean up a serious difficulty.