TO SERVE COUNTRY, NOT PARTY, IS THE AIM OF MINISTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18644, 22 December 1928, Page 2

TO SERVE COUNTRY, NOT PARTY, IS THE AIM OF MINISTERS.

NELSON ACCORDS CIVIC RECEPTION TO MR ATMORE. Per Press Association. NELSON, December 22. The Minister of Education (the Hon H. Atmore) was accorded a civic reception last evening. Owing to the large number attending, the gathering was removed from the Municipal Chambers to the church steps adjoining.

The speakers included representatives of all the local bodies and exMay ors. Reference was made to the fact that Mr Atmore was the first native-born Nelson member to attain Cabinet rank. The Minister said he would not trust to party. Party politics had not obtained a hold on him. He could assure his audience that the men in power to-day were not out for party politics, but to guide N6w Zealand along the path of progress. Referring to the Nelson railway, he emphasised the fact that the losses on the railways were not made on the main lines, - but on the small branch lines, some of which would have to be scrapped, as they were being superseded by motor traffic. On this point he mentioned that the heavy taxation of motor vehicles would be lightened in the future. While looking after the interests of his electorate, he realised that his duty was to serve New Zealand as a whole. Mr Atmore was loudly cheered on concluding.