CIVIC RECEPTION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 53, 25 November 1937, Page 4

CIVIC RECEPTION

Produce Merchants' Conference Opened WELCOME BY DEPUTYMAYOR A civic reception was accorded delegates attending the New Zealand. Graint §eed and Produce Merchants' Eederation conference in Hastings this morning. The deputy-Mayor, Cr. A. I. Rainbow, officiated in the absence of the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, who is out of tawn. There are over 50 delegates attending the conference from all parts of the Dominion. Mr Rainbow extended to the visitors a cordial welcome to the district on behalf of the people of Hastings and the surrounding c'ountry. "We appreciate the fact that you have paid Hastings and Hawke 's Bay a great compliment in having your conference this year in our town, for we have been informed that in the past you have conflned yourselves to meeting in the main cities," he said. By making this change, the country districts wonld benefit, for, after all, this was a primary producing district and important conferences such as this one provided much that was informative. Replymg on behalf of the delegates, Mr J. H. Handyside, of Masterton, president of the federation, said that all deldgates felt considerably honoured to be received by the council and the town in the manner they have been, and fully appreciated the hospitality that had been extended them and also the facilities that have been plaeed at their disposal. The couneil ehamber, he said, was the finest room in which the conferences had been held. Referring to the motor tour of the district made yesteTday, Mr. Handyside said that delegates had been agrceably surprised with the rehabilitation that had. taken place following the disastrous earthquake. The tour round the two towns and the countryside had proved most enjoyable and. delegates had been favourably impressed with what they had seen. He personaly was most interesteci in the progress that had been made in the district, for it was about 20 yeaTS ago rhat he was a delegate from Hawke 's Bay to the meeting to set up the federation. "You may assgxe the people of this district that it is our earnest wish taat the province will progress and prosper in the future" he said in eoncluson, "and that we hope you will have many yeafs of continued development and advancement. " Following the reception, delegates settled down for the conference^ which* was opened by the president. Proceedings are in camera.