SERVICES RECOGNISED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 53, 4 March 1939, Page 10

SERVICES RECOGNISED

MR. ORMOND WILSON COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL TRIBUTES TO WORK FOR THE ELECTORATE Mr. Ormond Wilson, Labour M.P for Rangitikei during the fir&t tern of the Government s . administration who is shortly leaving on an extended tour abroad, wa* iaicwtllec lasi night at a large and enthdbiastk gathering in the Civic Theatre Marton. Members of the Laboui Party from Marton, Bulls, Wanganui Hunteiviile, Utiku. and Mangawekc were present, other shades of political opinion also oeing represented. On tne stage were the Hon. Walter Nash, Minister of Finance, by whose department Mr. Wilson was co-opted during his term in the House; Mr. !• Purnell. Mayor of Marton, and Mrs Purnell; Cr. J. J. Scott, deputy■ Mayor of Wanganui, and Mrs. Scott, Mr. E. C. Haddock, president of the Marton branch of the New Zealand Labour Party; Mrs. Walter Nash, and the Hon. Mark Briggs, M.L.C. (Palmerston North’. A number of apologies for absence were read by Mr. Purnell. Mr. Haddock extended a welcome to those present. He extolled the services given to the Rangitikei district by Mr. Wilson during his term in Parliament. Mr. Wilson was presented with an illuminated photograph album with the following inscription in illuminated characters: —“To Ormond Wilson Sir, Members of the Marton branch of the New Zealand Labour Parts in association with citizens of Marton and district desire that you accept this alhin . n of ‘.heir sincere

regard for yon personally and as a mark of their appreciation of the many public services you have peiformed on their behalf during your term as a member of Parliament. Having knowledge of your interest in. and experience of the photographic art, we have pleasure in handing you the accompanying camera, the possession of which will enable you to obtain a collection of district and other views of your own choice for inclusion in the album.” Illuminated Address. Mr. Wilson was also presented with the following illuminated address: “To Ormond Wilson. Dear Sir, It la with feelings of genuine pleasure that your many friends in the Rangitikei take the opportunity, on this the eve of your departure abroad, to acquaint you of their personal regard and their resognition of the ability and wholeheartedness with which you served the constituency during youi term as its representative in Parliament. The spontaneous desire expressed by all sections and interests, irrespective of party, to subscribe io this address is eloquent testimony to the general appreciation you have earned. Your breadth of vision and your grasp of principle underlying the social and economic life of the country as a whole has been a pronounced feature of your public see vice. “We trust that you derive pleasure and profit from your tour and we are confident that your contact with other peoples and problems will hl you for even wider service when you return to us.—(Signed’ E. C. Haddock (chairman*. James T. Fisher (secretary ’. Mr. Wilson was also presented with a. tobacco pouch from the Utiku branch. a leather travelling lug from the Mangavveka branch, a gold eversharp pencil from the Hunterville branch and a case of pipes from the Bulls branch. The Civic Theatre was specially decorated for the occasion. During the evening the visitors were entertained with musical, vocal and elocutionary items, the programme including supper and dancing. The Minister and Mr. Ormond Wilson were given a rousing reception when they entered the hall. Hon. W. Nash’s Tribute. The Hon. Walter Nash said he was pleased to visit Marton to express hL appreciation of Mr. Ormond Wilson\ services. When in the House, Mi Wilson had adopted the policy ol speaking when he had something io say and of something of which hi had knowledge. His contact with the electors and the various Government departments was to do something for the electors. He was a man whe would make his mark in the political world a§ he was a capable speakei and a man of high integrity. Mr Nash said he knew of no man of his own experience in New Zealand whe could give his opinion in as straightforward a manner as Mr. Wilson and he had no doubt that he would again represen’ Rangitikei in Parlia ment. (Applause’. He hoped that it would not be long before Mr. Wilson filled a higher position.