MINISTERIAL VISIT TO KUMARA.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1917, Page 2

MINISTERIAL VISIT TO KUMARA.

The Ministerial Party reached Kumara at 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon, and had a very cordial wolcoma from a large gathering of the public. Several introductions were made to the Ministers, including M, jj. B. Nelley and Louden, veterans, each weaimg four distinguished medals of by-gone ware. The Ministerial Party were also entertained at tfa by the ladies. The Mayor (Mr Murdoch) in a Spirited addresß, gave the visitors a cordial welcome to the district, and offered the Government al 1 possible backing from Kuraara. Speaking of the demands for the repeal of the Military Service Act ho emphasised, apart from general principles, how unfair such action would be to those already conscripted. It seemed that some folk were satisfied with the bargain as long aa it did not touch' them, but when conscription came near to them they wanted to cancel the bargain. Those who were demanding the repeal of the Act, were therefore not attacking the Ministry, but were hitting the meu at the front, the men wqo were helping to upheld all that the Empire meant to us. Iu politics.it waa often possible to give and take, bat hard was a rigid principle which could not even be bent. Bend-, ing meant breaking, and the country would not tolerate that. They would see the war through and felt they could repose all confidence in the Government to do their duty. (Applause.) Sir James Allen spoke feelingly in reply. He said the me&tings at Hokitika and Kumara that day had an uplifting effect and heartened them to go on their way, and to seek to maintain law and order by all the means in their power. Hon MacDonald made a very pleasing address to the miners, at the close of which Mr Ed King senr led eff with “ The Union Jack of Old England,” in which the gathering joined very heartily.

A very cordial meeting closed with the emgiDg of the National Anthem. The Ministers than visited the Kumata Hospital, and viewed with great iutoiost the tablets placed there to the memory of Nurses Isdell and Jamieson wbo were lost in the Marquette disaster. Sir Jamea Allen also commiserated with the relatives of some of the fallen.

The party went cn to Greymouth at 6 o’clock charmed with their reception and stay at Kumara.