ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING

Chronicle (Levin), 10 April 1947, Page 4

ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING

JUNIOR NATIONALISTS MEET IN \ LEVIN .

An enthusiastic gathering of National ' party supporters la.st night attended' the annuai general rneeting of the Levin Junior Branch of the New -Zealand. National Party'. Mr. R. B. Denton presided, Also in attfendance were Messrs. J, J. Mahar, M.F. for Otaki, and W, i Day, organiser. for the electorate, both of 'whom addressed the meeL mg. In reviewing the pp,st years activities, Mr. Denton said they had been very successful from both a social and flnancial ppint Pf view. Many new friendships had been formed by members sinee their association with the branch, and he was sure that 'some of these would^be life-long. The idea in bringing young people together SQcially would result in the continued prosperity of the branch. Meetings generally were rather disappointing to the committee, Which had gone to a great deal of trouble to-make them successful, qontinued Mr. Denton. The committee had done its work well, and |t was up to the members to uphold it 'by attending these functiorts. The meetings at first were held. at fortnightly intervals in Levin, but last winter a eombined commit^ tee of the junior branches was set up and it drew up a programme of social and educational evenings which took place fortnightly at Levin, Otaki, Manakau and Poroutawhao in rotation. All the junior branches were present at these meetings and the results were very gratifying. § The combmed branches had travelled to Wellington to attend an evening session of Parliament House, and were able to see and hear a Parliamentary debate and on the retuin journey were entertained at a dance held by the Ngaio branch. Members also attended dances at Palmerston North and Feilding. During the ye'ar the branch was represented at the three divisional rallies, but as the number of delegates was limited many who wished to attend were unable to do so. There would, how^ever, be more of these functions in the^ future and other members would have the opportunity of attending them. The committee had" eombined wih the senior c'omr mittee on work involving the general election, and thanks were due to all those who had helped in wim ning the Otaki seat for Mr. Maher and the National Party. It was a pity, however, that more members had not attended the election addresses of "both candidates, "Too many people grumble between electionsj yet they miss the opportunity . at election times mainly because they are sid'e^ tracked from the main issues by the " 'glibTtongued„ politicians,' EiectTon timeris irthe onl'y fime' in three years when one can question and ' criticise Parliamentary representatives so the opportunity should not be missed." In, conclusion, Mr. Denton urged all members to assist the committee in spreading the.doctrine of the National Pqrty,' and in interesting young people in. the activities of the junior branch. He also thanked members of the senior branch, who had helped throughout the year and whose advice was greatly appreciated, together with the committee for their support. The following offfcers were elected for the ensuing year: — Chairrman: Mr. R. B. Denton; secretary: Miss N. Walker; treasurer: Miss M. Harrison; committee: Misses A. Denton, P. Hills, M. McDonald, S. Jackson and Messrs. J. Rankin, AWalker and G. Hudson; d'elegate to electorate executive: Mr. R. B. Deoton. The activities for . the following year were discussed * and a divisional rally for the electorate was planned. A letter was received from the Dannevirke Junior Branch inviting members to a functiori in Dannevirke on Saturday, April 19.