Rousing Reception For Mr. Holland

Chronicle (Levin), 20 December 1949, Page 7

Rousing Reception For Mr. Holland

AUCKLAND, Dec. 19. "Today I return to Auckland to do a very simple duty. It is to say 'Thank You, Auckland— Thank You.' " With these words the Prime Minister, Mr. Holland, today redeemed hispromise to Auckland to pay a visit at the earliest opportunity and to express his thanks for the city's part in electing the first National Government. The Prime Minister, members of his family, his Parliamentary colleagues from the Auckland electorates and senior officers of the Party, were accorded an ovation at the reception in the Town Hall organised by the Auckland division of the National Party. A crowd of more than 2000 people cheered, clapped and stamped as Mr. Holland, accompanied by the Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, made his way to the platform. The cheering was renewed when he rose to speak and it was a minute or two before he could begin.

Aii appeal to employers generously to consider the rights of their employees and a warning to the people generally not to expect the State to act as a fairy godmother, were contained in Mr. Holland's address. He pledged his Administration to do its best. He reminded the public that the strength of a Government was drawn from the people and promised every effort to strengthen family, life. A tribute to those who carried the flag and whose success had meanwhile been postponed, was paid by Mr. Holland. Among fchem he nanied Mr. J. C. Henare,

candidate for Northern Maori. "It is not true to say that the Maoris will be neglected because of their decision not to give us a member in our team,",Mr. Hol-( land said. "I will undertake'and j I pledge the honour of thej new i Administration, to ensure that our Maori brethren a/e fairly and generously treatedi "I remind you that hiillions of deserving people throughout the world have lost the .right of the secret ballot because ... they did 'not guard it sufficiently," Mr. Holland continued. "Let us always say that we will guarantee and ensure to the opposition, the rights that are inseparable from political administration in this country. "Let us avoid falling into the error of making too much of any individual or of the State, the Government or any Administration/' he said later. "I think it is as well to remind ourselves sometimes that the State is no fairy godmother able to distribufe things to the people without first of all taking those things from the people. We seek to ensure that the people will be permitted to do the maximum for themselves without fear of any Government. "We are all human beings. Do not expect too much of us. Do not expect the impossible but ' you have the right to expect our best and I promise you we will do our best. Every freedom we seek to preserve and to restore to the people carries with it an

. v obligation. My colleagues and I dedicate ourselves to the service of the people of New Zealand, of the British Empire and as far as our influence goes, the people of the world. We pledge ourselves to do everything in our power to ensure that the affairs of this country are efhciently administered. "Let us make sure that compliance with the laws of the land pays better dividends than defiance," he said. Mr. Holland concluded by ex.pressing the hope that all New Zealand would enjoy 'the true spirit of Christmas. "I will remember this occasion as long as I live."