SERVICE RECOGNISED

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 18764, 20 December 1935, Page 8

SERVICE RECOGNISED

SIR ALEXANDER YOUNG.

PRESENTATION FROM CITIZENS.

TRIBUTE TO PUBLIC WORK

Eloquent testimony to the widespread popularity, among all sections of the community of Sir Alexander Young, former Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Hamilton, was the large and representative attendance of citizens at a social function tendered to Sir Alexander in the Winter Show Concert Hall last evening. The guests numbered about 200 and Sir Alexander was accorded an enthusiastic reception, In recognition of his long and outstanding record of public service in local body and political spheres. Mr B. H. Andrews, ■chairman of Sir Alexander’s election committee, presided- The hall was beautifully decorated with flowers and greenery. In his opening remarks the chairman commented that the large attendance from all parts of the district spoke volumes for the respect in which the guest of honour was held. A lengthy list of apologies was read by Mr A. M. Bisley.

Servioe to Dominion.

Tribute to Sir Alexander’s long record of public service was paid by Dr. H. Douglas, who said he was pleased to be present to do honour to Sir Alexander. He had known him for

about 3G years, since he came to Hamilton. No doubt, if Sir Alexander had continued at his profession he

might have been in a belter pecuniary position. But lie had higher aims, and while lie might have suffered financially, New Zealand and Hamilton had benefited from his .work. (Applause). The speaker’ said he was glad to have the opportunity to express his friendship toward Sir Alexander, who had done a great deal, for Hamilton. He had been Mayor and chairman of the Hospital Board, going on to the distinguished office of Minister of Health. He w’as particularly well suited for the position, and as Minister of Health for the last nine years Sir Alexander had a record of which he might well be proud. (Applause). “We, as citizens of Hamilton, are proud of him,” he added, “and we are grateful to him for the great work he has done for the country. Left His Mark. Mr A. M. Bisley reiterated jhe previous speaker’s remarks, and said he was proud to pay tribute to Sir Alexander, Young, who by his energy and ability had risen to Cabinet rank. lie had left his footprints on the sands of Time. He had been honoured by the King, and was respected by all. (Applause). His one aim had been to serve, and he had served well. They had assembled to •pay tribute to him as a man, who had done a great deal for the country. They also paid tribute to him as a Statesman who had proved a leader. No work had been too hard for him to face, and he had never spared himself in giving service. They would also like to pay tribute to him as a friend. What greater tribute could the speaker pay than to say that Sir Alexander had proved himself at home with the highest and the humblest in the land.

The speaker recounted his early associations with Sir Alexander and said he was the first man he had met when lie came to Hamilton. He had appreciated his friendship and they had worked together for many years. "I was with him when he was defeated, .and if ever I was proud of him it was on that occasion,” he concluded, expressing the hope that Sir Alexander's retirement from politics would be only temporary. Presentation Made. As a token of the esteem in which he is held by his many friends, the presentation of a wallet containing a substantial cheque, was made to Sir Alexander by Mr Andrews, who expressed the hope that the guest of honour would have many years of political life before him. The function had been arranged to give his many friends an opportunity to meet him.

Prolonged applause greeted Sir Alexander as be rose to speak- In thanking his friends for their presentation and good wishes he said he felt the greatest honour lie had received was the 10-vc and goodwill of the community and his old friends who had stood by him. Whatever measure of success he had achieved in public life was due largely to the inspiration he had received from the community during his long political life. He added that he was a member of Ihe Hamilton Borough Council at the age of 23 years, and within ten years of that had been Mayor on three occasions. He could look back on several achievements of his early years. The old steel arch bridge over the Waikato River was eroded while he was Mayor, and it was interesting to note that this bridge was Ihe- longest single arch span in the Dominion. He was watching with great interest to see what the Borough Council was going to do with the old bridge.

Respected His Opponents. “I will always take a very kindly interest in every public activity,” ho added. He was greatly impressed by the display of goodwill at the function, and he expressed his thanks to all who had gone to so much trouble with the decorations. He also thanked tiie committee who had worked so hard for him. and said that while lie had no regrets for himself regarding the result of the recent election, lie was

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sorry for .those-who worked for him. He respected the decision of the public, even though it might be contrary to his own opinions. When one looked at the world over the past 50 years one would see that there was only one case where democracy had been a success, and that was among the English speaking peoples, he. added. “ We feel that when we fight our fight and make the best of it, and fail to win, we can have respect for those who have won, and while I was not suo r cessful, and the policy for which I stood was rejected for the time being, I have the greatest respect for my colleagues who have been returned to office. I hope that their policy will work out for the best,” said Sir Alexander. He thanked the speakers for their remarks, and said that all through his life he had felt it an honour to give service to the community. He entered politics in 1911, when tie left a very lucrative profession, and while he went out of politics with a much smaller Income than he entered with, he still had will and determination. In recent years he had placed a great strain on his health, and tha rest'from politics would allow himV to recuperate in various ways. Late Government’s Work.

The life of a Cabinet Minister waS not an easy one, be continued. The previous Government, by a wise policy, had put the Dominion on the road to prosperity, and the new Government had reaped the benefit of its predecessor's work. He wished his successors the best of luck in putting out the unemployed bonus in a way that would please everyone. Referring to his work as Minister of Health he said he had received numerous letters from all parts of the Dominion, since the election, expressing regret at the loss of his seat, and commending the excellent work he had done as Minister. He expressed the hope that the new Government would carry on the work started by the last Government for the conservation of forests and the protection of native birds. “ The people wanted a change, and now they have got ft, let us all work together and be actuated by the one spirit, to do the best for our country. We have a wonderful country, which, I think, no government can spoil,” concluded Sir Alexander. During the evening an excellent programme of items was presented, and contributed largely to the success of Ihe function. In addition to selections by the Hamilton Orphans’ Club’s Orchestra, under the baton of Mr A. E. Savage, the items included bagpipe solos by Miss 11. Clothier, national dances by Miss D. Gilmore, monologues by Miss M. Seed, and Miss P. Torpy and songs by Mr E. H. Quill, who also led community singing. The accompaniments were played by Mrs 11. C. Ross, Miss 11. Clothier and Mr Savage.