BLACKBALL PAYS TRIBUTE TO WORK OF HON. P. C. WEBB

Grey River Argus, 11 October 1948, Page 2

BLACKBALL PAYS TRIBUTE TO WORK OF HON. P. C. WEBB

Portrait Unveiled

“He will be remembered as one who used his gifts and courage in putting right the wrongs of an economic system which he could not reconcile' with his sense of justice, and it is no flattery to say that Paddy Webb was the greatest Minister of Mines this country has known.”

With these words, Mr Webb’s successor, Hie present Minister of Mines, tne Hon. Angus McLagan, summed up the worK ot Mr Webo as he unveileo a stinting lull-sized coloured portrait at the Blackball Miners’ Hall on Saturday evening, in the presence ot ds! enthusiastic audience 01 more than SCO people Hum all parts 01 the disli let. Ke viewing Mr Webb’s long associa ; lion with the coal mining industry and with politics, Mr McLagan referred to his early days organising the miners into the Miners’ Federation and finally into the Federation of Labour oi which he became first president. •'Air Webb championed the cause of ireedom b> refusing to support conscription of men unless wealth was also conscripted,” said Mr McLagan. “Arrested and tried, he was gaoled and resigned his seat, but so strong was he, that his opponents never put up a candidate against him. Then the Massey Government called him up :n a ballot, but he refused to obey a law he claimed had been passed without consulting the people. For this he was tried, sentenced to two years imprisonment and the loss of his civil rights for ten years. The Grey seat which he had held was won by another champion of the people, the late Mr H. E. Holland.” During the interval, Mr McLagan smd. Mr Webb had been one of the founders of the “Grey River Argus” • a Labour daily, and he had work..d as a trucker at the Blackball mine, later entering co-operative mining with the Hon. G. R. Hunter, and engaging in the Orongorongo Tunnel contract with the Hon. R. Semple. Then, in 1933, on the death of Mi Holland he won the Buller seat, and held it until ill-health caused his retirement in 1946, gaining larger majorities at each election. WORK AS MINISTER

Air McLagan reviewed Mr Webb’s work as a Minister and said that he had raised the standards of wages ana living conditions for the miners to new and unprecedented heights. As Minister oi Labour from 1940 to 1946 he had been largely responsible for progressive industrial legislation, and he had done valuable work as Post-master-General in the same years. •iu ins eiiOxts as Minister of Mines and Labour are largely attributable the great improvements in the position of the New Zealand workingclasses since Labour came into power,” said Mr McLagan. “It can ue readily seen that his contribution was to the constructive industrial side of the Labour movement rather than to its political side.” He was a great humanitarian, in whom the interests of the workers, and particularly the miners, were very near his heart. The legislation which he sponsored emphasises his wholehearted support for the welfare and safety of the men with whom he once worked. “However, Mr Webb was not interested in their welfare from the angle of better and safer working conditions. He was also keen to ensure that those who worked in the mines would be adequately rewardea for their efforts, and that suitable machinery existed for expeditious settlement of disputes.” Thus, said Mr McLagan, Mr Webb had introduced the Coal Mines Council with , ead authority to deal with industrial disputes in the industry. Mr McLagan, who was given an enthusiastic reception recalled that the country owed Mr Webb a geeat deal of gratitude for being responsible for bringing to New Zealand its first Labour Prime Minister, the late Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage (applause).

“He was the best Minister of Mines this country has ever known, and his merits stand out all the more by comparison with his immediate predecessors, who were chosen because they did not reoresent miners and knew nothing about the mines,” declared Mr McLagan, who added that almost the whole credit for the improvements in the mining industry, particularly in Blackball, went to Mr Webb and those who had worked with him in earlier years.”

The miners had some excellent irienc.s who had fought hard for their rights, said the Minister, mentioning the names of the late Mr Holland, Mr James O’Brien, Mr Mark Fagan and Mr H. T. Armstrong. “Mr Webb was one of the greatest, labouring for over 40 years for the workers,” concluded the Minister. He is broken in’ health to-day because of his own hard work. What we are enjoying to-day is the foundation lor further advances, and we owe much io Dlr Webb and his colleagues. We an be grateful for all that they have done.” , xl As M. McLagan unveiled the portrait the whole audience rose and ;t"<o ded musical honours tor Mr Webb. MR WEBB’S ILLNESS

Presiding at the ceremony, Mr R. Clark reaa a message from the Hon G. R. Hunter, stating that the present serious illness of Mr Webb, and his own illness prevented them from attending. Blackball, said Mr Clark, Had much to thank Mr Webb for, as since the State had taken over the mines in 1940, the people, had been enabled to live decently without having to crawl. Recalling her long association with Mr Webb, the Hon. Miss Mary Anderson M.L.C., said she had first met him in Blackball. Life had been hard with him in recent years, but his wo' k was nowhere better appreicated 'han in Blackball. “He gave of his best so that the people might have manv comforts Io which they were . r'i'h-d” said Miss Anderson. He has done everything humanly possible for one man in building up the Labmfr Party and the Government.

SYMBOL OF LABOUR MOVEMENT “He was prosecuted, gaoled and forced into retirement for ten years, but he symbolised the Labour movement in his work,” said Mr J. B. Kent, .- ~ i-cmling Mr Webb s contribution to New Zealand. Mr Webb had had a hard career and as a Minister he had done much to lay the foundations of Labour’s policy. The structure that he erected must not be demolished. ‘‘Mr Webb retired because he had spent himself in the service of the workers of this country,” said Mj Kent. “He will always be a source of ' ation to those who come after him.” „ ~ , . it M- P. Blanchfield, President of the Westland L.R.C. said the large gathering from all parts of the electorate was a great tribute to Mr Webb. His work for humanity could not be measured in anv terms, but remained for future- generations to evaluate. “I heard Mr Webb make his first speech in Blackball more than 40 years ago.” said Mr A. Beban. We then thought he was talking fairy tales but they have come true today.” He was proud to have helped get Mr Webb into Parliament in 1913, he said as he referred to the close friendship of his brother and the former Minister. . Mr J. Mulcare.' also an old friend and associate of Mr Webb, Mr J. M McNicoll, president of the Blackball

district Miners’ Union and Mr J. Neilson, president of the Roa Miners’ Union also spoke, asking Mr McLagan to convey the best wishes of the niners to Mr Webb for a recovery of his health. BRILLIANT ENTERTAINMENT Prior to the ceremony, the Black Diamonds Frolics Company provided a orilliant hour’s entertainment, all of the items being warmly received. In praising their efforts, Mr McLagan said that the entertainment was typical of old times in Blackball, and ho was delighted to see that the grandchildren of many of the early people he had known had contributed to the programme. The Frolics were assisted bv their own orchestra which p-o vided music for a dance which concluded in the early hours of the morning. The task of providing supper for the huge assembly was capably carried out by the women’s committee of the Blackball branch of the Labour Party, which sponsored the evening’s programme. The Minister was accompanied bv Mrs McLagan.