MINISTERIAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1917, Page 4

MINISTERIAL VISIT

Addresses at Town Hall

Loyal, Enthusiastic Gathering

There was a very large attendance at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon at 2.45 o’clock, gathered to meet the yisitiDg Ministers, Sir James Allsd, and Hon W. D. S, MacDonald. Though the notice given was of tLe scantiest, tbe attendance was large' and very representative, the. Hall being well filled, and the mooting included a fair eprinkling of the fair sex. The County Chairman (Mr H. Norman) presided, and the proceedings were very enthusiastic. Mr Norman said it gave him much pleasure to introduce the two visiting Ministers, who were very weloome to tbe dietrio;. Though pressed for time they had corno to Hokitika to explain tbe action taken in the recent trouble. He felt, that he could say that 95 out of every 100 in Westland would gtiind by the Government in whatever action they wore forced to take, Westland was proud of its loyally and would worthily assist in any way necessary. Ho had pleasure in calling on Sir James Allen to address tbe masting. Sir James Allen was received with applausa. He said he hesitated to eay much at the present time, which was more of a time fo* action. It wes a time when the nation should be united. It was to continue this unity that .they had coma to the Coast. They knew what had happened id the last few years. The Government bad taken the course of action that they deemed to be the correot one, They ware there that day absolutely united, with the one purpose of finishing this war by bringing it to a successful

conclusion. There waa no necessity to refer to the course of the wav and tha necessity that had aiissn to continue the steady supply of men. The Military Service Act affected all between 20 and 45 and in carrying out its provisions, the Government, wsre bound to do their dniy irrespective of peroona and individuals. Thsy recognised that it would affect scene hardiy but they recognised it as the fairest course 'to pursue. In the district represented by his colleague there had bsen no ballot yet. There were some in this district who strongly objected to tho compulsion olausea of the Act. Why should they ? After all there was no more democratic principle than that of the compulsory claase of the Act. Now he was Borry to say some of the people have struck because of the consoription clause. Coming fresh from the miners’ representatives ha could say the one and only question at issue wos that of conscription. The men were taking a vote that day as to whether they ■would go back to work or not. If they did not decide to go back, then they would be opposed to the Government, the Parliament, and bulk of the people.

No one would be more delighted than be to hear they had gone back. Should it be otherwise then the Government would do it 3 duty. (Applauee.) They had made it perfectly clear that the Government would stand by the Act, and they desired to have a united majority of New Zealand with them. Referring to the reinforcements he explained the reason why the reinforcements at Home had been formed into a new brigade. During the winter there had not been so many casualties aud the reinforcements had totalled up. The Imperial Government had ed that these 4000 accumulated men be formed into a brigade alongside the 20,000 of magnificent mea from New Zealand who had made such a

,name that they were so proud of. They felt they could not refuse but asked that they be incorporated with the New Zealand division. This had bsea done, but it did not mean increasing the number of reinforcements agreed npou to be sent from New Zealand. Tuatse ate very moraoutona times atari there were vary heavy responsibilities which they could not carry did they not think they were carrying on oq the right path. They had made mistakes. He had made mistakes and readily acknowledged it, bnt who would not have made some in the very scronuont and troublous times they had passed through whioh were without parallel in our history.

The country has done its share but their brothers across the sea had not done theirs and ha regretted it. Canaria had done h r.) audtr great difficulties, but what they bad done was nothing to what the men of Britain had done. In time to come it w>U he known that our p eople had stood together and done their duty nobly to the Empire and they will be able to look ba.k with prids on tho glorious record made by our men in the great war that os.me upon us. (Applause.) Hon W. D. Macdonald expressed his pleasure at raeetiug the people cf Hokitika that- day. Ha regretted that the auspicas of tbs visit were not happy, bat he hoped the result of the visit would bring peace. This was a time of stress and one has to sink odo’s personal aspirations for the good of the Empire. Reference was made to the formation of the National Government when the neoessity oame for a strong, stable Government to carry on the war. Now was not the time for any section to slacken, when every possible effort we could make was necessary and essential. They were convinced that the great majority were resolved to do their utmost to bring victory to their arms, He regretted the necsssiiy of their coming to the Coast and trusted that tbe trouble would be soon averted. To-day they had transports and ships full of foodstuffs held up, and they had come down to the Coast to make this known. There had been losses of many ships and that was another reason why there should be the quickest possible despatch of the vessels coming here for foodstnffu and other necessities for our fighting men. Some man were insane enough to think that by going out on strike they were hitting the Government, but they were hitting every map, woman and child in New Zealand and they were hitting the Empire, and in a very vital spot. They had told the men this and had been listened to attentively but the men had not given any indication of

their feelings. There was no doubt that the Military Service Act bud the strong ap proval of the majority of the poopie or New Zealaud. Tha great object of the Aoc was to bring equity to the people of New Zealand. 1) bcCirae law by a vote of 73 to 7. Now at the crucial part of the war, we, .the Dominion of New Zealand, are asked to hoist tbe white flag and surrender to the Hun. He was there to say that the Government and people were not goiDg to hoist the white flag. (Applause.) They had been told they had not the confidence of the people and they should resign, but it was not so. He felt that every one wants to see the job through and they wantod to win the war. (Applause). So while the National Government were doing their utmost to win the war, they at the same time do their best to attend to the wants of the people. Here he wished to say a few words of praise of the women of the country. They had done noble work in the patriotic societies and in recruiting, good work that the women in the Homeland were also doing to a very great exjent, even to working making munitions for the soldiers.

He was pleased to meet so many loyal people. They were doing their very best to ensure a viotory. He was convinced that no Cabinet had worked more earnestly in the public interests than the National Cabinet had done. Could any one say that the fight they were making was not worth it. He felt tho day would soon come when these days of strife and trouble would ba over. (Applause.) Mr H. L. Michel joined in giving a hearty welcome to the visitors. He felt they should be more definite and he would move—“ That this meatiDg of oitizans express its determination to support the Government in any measures that may be deemed necessary to take in this great national crisis.”

He felt that the motion expressed the true feelings of the people of the district. The visitors could feel sure that thßir Government have the full approval of a vast majority of the people of New Zealand. It was the last country in the world that would hold up the white flag or would uphold the red flag of revolution. He felt sore that the small section of men who olaimed to represent labor did not do so. It would be a sorry day for New Zealand if that were ■o. Mr J. Otrimmond (Mayor of Ross) seconded the motion. He felt certain there was no more loyal section of New Zealand than those on the West Coast. There was a certain crowd who had come to wci 1; in the coal mines, opened

oat by the State, but they did not represent the West Coast, and ha had no words strong enough to express bis condemnation of tboir attitude. Mr H. M. Corl-ton supported the motion feeling there were not hal£a dozen people in Hikttika who disagreed with th 9 Military SsiVce Act, He fait the enemy without was bad enough, bnt the eu6my wiihin was ten times worse. Tbe motion was put and carried with hearty acclamation anl was followed by the singing of the National Anthem.

Sir James Allen said the loyil sentiments expressed so fraely would enable them to go back with their bcerts lightened and their iron bins made ea-ior that day He heartily thanked them for coming there that afternoon iu such large numbers at such short notice, and moved a hearty vote of thanks io the County Chair nan for presiding. This was carried by acclamation and with three beany eheors for the Ministers a very hearty ayd enthusiastic meeting waa brought to a close.