WESTLAND’S MEMBER.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1922, Page 4

WESTLAND’S MEMBER.

WELCOME TO MR JAMES O’BRIEN. SOCIAL AT OPERA HOUSE. Mr James O’Brien the newly elected Member for Westland and Mr H. Holland (Labour Leader) were entertained at the Westland Opera House last evening by tho supporters of the Labor I’arty at a welcome social. There was a large gathering present, and tho floor was well filled, dancing being kept up merrily, to excellent music supplied by Messrs Lawn and Gibbons, Mr E. Kearns having charge of the floor. A dainty supper was provided by the Ladies Committee, the gathering pasing off very successfully, dancing being kept up till an early hour. THE SPEECHES. During an interval between the dances, the guests of tho evening Mr James o‘Brien (Member for Westland), and Mr H. Holland (Member for Boiler and Loader of the Labor Party) accompanied by Mr N. Warren walked to the stage, and were received with a very hearty round of applause and the singing of “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” Air N. Warren who presided, said on behalf of the Labor I’arty of Westland he had much pleasure in welcoming their member Mr James O’Brien. He felt sure that a few years ago tlpcy little expected he would he member for Westland. When they brought some five ycais ago, Messrs O’Brien and O’Rourke to Westland, who were just out of gaol, they were looked on as cranks, while now Mr O’Brien is Member for Westland. He felt sure that now Labor had won Westland, it was hers for keeps. Air O'Brien today was carrying its colors victoriously, and he was sure ho would do his best to look after Westland and safeguard the best interests of the Labor Party. They were honored that evening also by having with them Mr 11. Holland, the Leader of tho Labor Party. Tn Air Holland Libor had se- , looted well, and Boiler had done lihowise. Afay he long lead the Labor Party, and lie trusted that in a few years Afr Holland would he filling tho ! principal position in the Government of New Zealand. (Applause.)

Air Janies O’Brien who was very heartily received, said unfortunately he had not been able to be here before to have the plasiiro of thanking the people here for returning him at the head of tho poll. The Chairman had just said he remembered the first visit of O’Rourke and himself, and how they wore looked on by some people as cranks. They found that now after five or six years that T/ilior had gained a. victory in Westland, where it was not expected at nil. The splendid vistorv was due to the work of the iik'ii and wi'iuon throughout AVeslInnd. Three years ago he had toured Westland very thoroughly and the hand of the people was held out to him in a very friendly manner. Now our greatest task is to make the otk-r people, those who do not support us now, -ve eye to eye with ns, and prove to them that our philosophy is the host, and that wo are go ing to do, anil show them our policy is the host for New Zealand. Our task was to spread our philosophy, and in the next few years we must he prepared for the change. They were going to change New Zealand from a capitalistic country to one of a general brotherhood all working iogether for the general good. Then they would have one class, the working class, and there would he no plate for those who toiled not. neither did they spin. They had present there that evening Afr Holland the Leader of tho Labor Parly whom he was glad to welcome. He thanked the comrades of Westland who had fought so hard in the recent election. Ho had been overwhelmed by their I unction tin's evening, as lie was not used to it. having been more used to a bard spin. He thanked them heartily. His duty always will be to the working people first and then to do his host for the district, to see that it does not slip hack by the change tho electors had made. (Applause).

All Holland said lie Tiad to tiu.nk the Labor people of llukitika l’or tlie invitation to be present, lie wished to congratulate Air O’Brien on the proud position, lie iud been placed in and also to cungr. lulste the people oil having Air O'Brien as their representative. Mr O'Brien had given loyal service to the Labor movement anil would he an acquisition to the Labor party on the floor nf the House. To-day they hail 17 representatives in tlie House, au ineiease of over 100 per cent on the figures of 1919. They did not lose a single seat. These 17 representatives "’ere the vanguard of the Labor movement. They reminded him of that fine statue ol a Digger in Hokitika and the inscription ‘‘Where tho vanguard lamps to-day the rear shall rest tomorrow.” That vanguard of the LaI bor party would one day have control | ol the Treasury benches of New Zea- | alnd. T lie Labor party bad won great j v ictories in the election arid AVcstland [ was one of the greatest of the victories. All over the Buller electorate there was more interest shown in the result of the AA’estland poll and there had been much satisfaction given by the news that O’Brien bail won the scac If there was one constituency that a man should lie proud to hold that electorate was AVcstland, and that it had fallen to Air O’Brien to win it was a matter for much congratulation. The seat was hallowed by many memories. Undoubtedly the Labor Party to-dav stands where the men of the old Ballance-Red-don party stood in 1890. The present Libera] party had jettisoned all the old planks of that party. To-day Air Massey had 38 supporters in the House Labor 17, AVilford IG, with 8 or 9 independents. Anything may happen when Parliament meets. One or two things "ill happen. One or two of the Libera Is will go over to Air Afass-iv or perhaps the lot nf them, the-e was no demarcation in their policies, hi t there is a wide one between Labor and Liberals. If the Liberals <’■*» n .! go over it means another election. Inf that would he no good unless proportional voting was in force. He asked them to he vigilant and prepared If another election came ho was sntisfinl they can make another win for O’Brien. He asked them not to go to sleep on

their victory. One thing splendid was the way Westland was organising. It was splendid because it breathes the spirit of organisation. Tie asked them to continue to organise and he ready for tlie fight. If another election did not come now they had to get ready for the greater fight that would conic in three years time. The Labor Party were the great party' and they were the winning party. It was the fight of (he progressive party on tho one hand against the party of reaction. Tho spirit that Westland is manifesting is making itself manifest in other parts of New Zealand. He thanked them for tiler invitation to be present. His message to them is one of goodwill and fraternisatioh, and he looked to their help to make tho great victory that would bring ;1 Labor Oabinet to this country. Reference was made to tho success of Labor in the British and Australian elections. In the latter a large advance had been made, which would result in Labor getting the Treasury benches or at the least only one or two votes away. On tho day Labor comes into power Labor will write the laws not in class interests but in the interests of all the men and women workers of New Zealand. (Applause). Cheers for Messrs O’Brien and Holland were heartily gi von. Mr O’Brien then thanked those present for their hearty reception and moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried by acclamation.