LABOUR PARTY

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1937, Page 7

LABOUR PARTY

INANGAHUA JUNCTION ACTIVITY. [Our Own Correspondent]. The final of the fortnightly euchre parties of the Inangahua Junction branch of the Labour Party was held on Saturday, when all available accommodation was filled. The winners of the euchre were Mr S. Robinson (pocket wallet) and Mrs May (pair of salad bowls), and the consolation prizes were given to Mrs Sidwell (chocolates) and Mr Rose (tin cyf sardines). The aggregate prizes were won by Mr D. Mangos (pullover donated by Mrs Caldwell) and Miss Mary Mangos (cushion). A very tasty supper was supplied by the ladies of the social committee. The rest of the evening was spent in dancing. The music was supplied by Mr J. Whitnall (piano) and Mr G. Griffith and Mr V. Marley (accordeon). Mr N. Pupich acted as M.C| The president of the branch (Mr C. F. Skinner), while presenting the prizes, took the opportunity of thanking the residents of Lyell, and surrounding districts, and the Junction, for the splendid way in which they had supported the functions, particularly those who had assisted in running them. Special mention was made of the assistance given by Mr Mangos and family, who had not only attended and parties consistently, but had given the hall and lighting free, as well as supplying hot water, etc., each night. Mr and Mrs Mooney had also earned the gratitude of the committee by giving the free use of their piano, supplying milk, etc., and donating prizes. Mr and Mrs Winstanley were thanked for their assistance in donating prizes and helping in many othei- ways. Another difficulty that had confronted the committee had been overcome by Mr T. Southon, junr., who had agreed to transport supporters from the Junction. This had contributed in no small measure to the success of the functions. Mr J. Whitnall, who had cheerfully put in many cold and tiring hours at the piano, was also thanked by the president. Mr G. Griffith and Mr V. Marley, who had been a tower of strength in supplying music, had likewise earned the thanks of the committee.

These entertainments have been responsible for raising approximately £2O, which will help to swell the campaign fund for the Motueka electorate and will be used, it is hoped, with better success at the next election than at last.

The president drew attention to the amount of criticism levelled at the Government by members of the Opposition. While this criticism was confined to legislative matters it was more or less fair, and was only playing the old political game. Mr Skinner then went on to say that when the criticism took a personal trend and was thrown at the members themselves, especially at the leaders, the proceeding was unfair and certainly undignified. Every supporter of Labour should do his utmost to counteract this criticism and furthermore, have patience and faith in the movement and in the leaders of the Labour Party. Let them consider for a moment what these men had gone through in the past, and think what they had done for the movement. Were they not all men of proven courage and sincerity? In the unsettled days gone by, when sticking up for the underdog, a very unpopular proceeding, and even attended by a considerable amount of risk, these men were not afraid to come forward and in times of crisis in industrial troubles, they came out in the open and boldly proclaimed their principles and adhered to them too, often running the risk of public ridicule, and, as happened in some cases even imprisonment. In the light of all this he refused to believe that now they had attained office, these men would abandon the principles they had so ardently and consistently advocated for almost a life time. Labour’s leaders had been tried too often in the past to change now. He, for one, and hundreds of thousands more in New Zealand would think the same, and would accept whole-heart-edly and without reserve, the assurance that Mr Savage had given the people of New Zealand many times since becoming Prime Minister. His oft repeated assurance was “I will never let you down.” Had he not by his outspoken utterances at the recent Imperial Conference and at 1 every public meeting and social gathering that he attended, while in Great Britain, further proved his moral courage and sincerity? If the workers of this country would only have patience and faith in the movement and its leaders, then the Government would be able to implement its full policy and make those memorable words of Richard John Seddon, indeed come true, when he described New Zealand as “God’s Own Country.”