MEMBERS FRATERNISE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 132, 21 February 1918, Page 6

MEMBERS FRATERNISE

Members of the society foregathered in the Concert Chamber of the Town. Hall last evening on the occasion of the society , 3 annual conversazione and smoke concert. The president, Mr. J. Blair Mason, was in the chair. There were present as guests of the society the Hon. Sir William Fraser (Minister of Public Works), the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister of Internal Affairs), Captain Hall-Thompson (Naval Adviser to the Government), and Mr. A. H. M.P. *

The toast- of "The Parliament of Ptoy Zealand" was proposed by Mr, J. Blair 'Mason, and responded to by the Hon. Sir "William Fraser, the Hon. G-. W. Rjissell, and Mr. Hindmarsh. Sir William Fraser remarked that Parliament sometimes :was not very highly thought of. He'had been a member for some 25 years, but he was still proud of his association with it. There was one good thing Parliament did shortly after the outbreak of the war, und that was when it determined on and brought to fruition a National Government. People talked and said that Cabinet was divided, but he could Ray that it never had been so since the formation of the National Government.

The Hon. G. W. Russell followed, emphasising that the Parliament of New Zealand had always occupied a high position in the world, and this was largely due to the great lino of speakers that had occupied its benches. Mr. S. Jickell, of Palmerston North, proposed the toast of "The Navy and the Army," which' was responded to by. Captain Hall-Thompson, who dwelt upon t.he co-operation of civil engineers with the Navy in and around the Persian Gulf.

Proposing the toast of "Local Authorities of New Zealand," Mr. ]l. fiolmes, past president of the society, touched on the services rendered to local bodies by civil engineers. In this connection lie urged that the. Government shoukl by -suitable examinations issue certificates to civil engineers so Mutt local bodies- and others might be. sure that they obtained the eervicss of competent men. The speaker also emphasised that the work wrriwl wit by civil piifincers was not lightened by the fact that many local bodies did not givo' them credit for being educated men. ■ The- toast was replied to by Mr.

niudniarsh on behalf of the Wellington Harbour Board.

The necessity for securing conipelont and skilled engineers, and their suitable recognition by the proper authorities was dealt with by Sir 'William Fraser. Sir William said he was wholly in accord with the socisty in its efforts to secure recognition and to placo civil engineers on a proper footing! So far as lie was personally concerned he would do all ho could to further the interests of the association. Be felt very strongly on the matter, and he foreshadowed legislation regarding the matter but not at the present time.

Items on tho entertainment prolamine were contributed by Messrs. Baker, F. G. AVidciop, Basham, Walker, Casey, Barnes, and A. J. Paterson.