FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 65, 18 March 1937, Page 2

FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS

F.IR. W. NASH IN DEV.IIN3MAM FRIENDS IN HIS HOME TOWNLONDON, Feb. 20. One of the happiest days he has spent since his return to the United Kingdom, to use his own words, was enjoyed by Mr. W. Nash, Minister ot Finance, when he visited Birmingham this week. Birmingham is full of memories for Mr. Nash, for thirty years ago he was chief of the analysis and costing department at the Ariel Motor-cycle Works, Selly Oak, to which position he had risen from that of office boy after eleven years’ service. Mrs. Nash, by whom he is accompanied, is a native of Selly Oak. Upon his arrival the Minister dfas welcomed by the Lord Mayor, with whom was the president of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. The New Zealand delegation included Mr. G. A. Pascoe (Industries and Commercial Department), Mr. J. P. D. Johnson (Wellington Customs Department), Dr. W. B. Sutch and Mr. T. R. Aickin.

At the Ariel Works the party was received by Mr. J. Sangster (managing director), Mr. H. Hughes (works director), Mr. C. Cooper (secretary), Mr. T. Davis (sales manager), and Mr. T. Goodwin (export manager), all of whom, with the exception of Mr. Sangster, worked with the Minister before he went to New Zealand. Mr. and Mrs. Nash walked round the works, talked to the work people, and inspected the various stages and methods of production. There are still some thirty men in the works who were employed by the firm at the same time as the Minister. Mr. Nash was shown an interesting “relic” of Edwardian days, a 1905 motor-cycle which was being produced when he was working at Selly Oak, and a modern “giant,” one of the latest four-square 1000 c.c. machines. Before leaving for Cadbury’s, Bournville, where he was entertained to luncheon and conducted round the works, Mr. Nash said it was one of the happiest days he had had since he had been in the United Kingdom.

“These are memories and attachments which cannot be broken,” the Minister. “I have renewed acquaintance with seven of my former workmates, of whom one, Mr. Hall, has been here for forty-three years, joining the firm three years before I came. I regret I have not been able to meet again Mr. Charles Sangster, the old director of the firm. He did more for me, as an individual, than any other person associated with the firm. But it has been a pleasure to meet his son, the present managing director.” Mr. Nash said the market for English motor-cycles in New Zealand was growing rapidly. At one time America had the bulk of the market, but this was not so to-day; the Mother Country had gained a very strong hold. Although only one month of the present year had elapsed, the Ariel Company had sent 120 machines to New Zealand.

At luncheon at Messrs. Cadbury’s Mr. Nash met his brother, Mr. Albert Nash, a deputy foreman in the works, whom he had seen only once before in 28 years. Mr. Nash was the guest of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce at an informal dinner at night. The following day he toured the works of Thomas Piggot, Ltd., Tipton, and the G.E.C. He also spoke at the dinner given at the Council House to Lord Mayors, Lord Provosts, and Mayors visiting Birmingham for the British Industries Fair.