AUCKLAND GATHERING

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1929, Page 8

AUCKLAND GATHERING

NOTE OF OIT.IMJSAI'. AUCKLAND. Foil. <). A note of optimism. was sounded at a reception given by the United Party organisation in Auckland to the Hon J. B. Donald. Postmaster-General, and the Hon A. .1. Stalhvorlhy, Minister of Health. There was a large attendance of party supporters. Air J. Trevithick presiding. Late in the proceedings, the lion IT. Atniore, Alinister of Education, arrived and was given an enthusiastic icccption. Air Trevithick said that hath AT) Donald and Afr Stall-worthy had brought honour to Auckland. A man’s true worth was not measured by gold, but by the service he gave to the community. Sir Joseph Ward recognised this quality in their two guests and raised them to the rank of Ministers of the Grown. (Applause). The speaker congratulated them on their achievement and said that the party had every confidence in their ability to control the various departments under their administration.

Afr Donald, in reply, said that lie had received bis Liberal education under the banner of Richard John Scddon. His experience in Parliamen! to date had convinced him that the work of a Cabinet Alinister was no easy task and members of Parliament and Ministers would have more sympathy from him in future. “1 can put up with all the hard knocks that come my way,” added ATi Donald. “Mr Stallworthy, I feel sure, and 1 will do our best to represent Auckland in a fitting manner.”

Air Stallworthy said that from the North Cape to the Bluff there was a feeling *J renewed optimism, now hope, and new spirit. People had a Government with a very sincere purpose ,and a Government that would consolidate the ieeling of optimism. While members of Cabinet were not super-men, they were imbued with industry, earnestness of purpose and sincerity.

Referring to Sir .Joseph Ward, All •Stalhvoriliy said that it lmd been re ported that he was out of 'Wellington for two weeks during the iieliua> period. He happened to know that Sir Joseph had worked right through the holidays, putting in from 12 to If. hours a day. They would he pleased to know that his physical vigour wareturning,. 'Applause). His bientai vigour had never been under a cloud. He 'bit that as a result of Sir -Joseph’s leadership, better times were coining to the Dominion. Air Atmore said that Sir Joseph Ward and his Cabinet would, he believed, accomplish great tilings lor New Zealand. Sir Joseph was the outstanding statesman in Australia or New Zealand and was an outstanding figure in the Empire-. In returning him to power, the people of the country had made the most successful move they had ever made in their own interests.