MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5114, 13 April 1927, Page 2

MINISTERIAL VISIT.

HONS. McLEOD AND WILLIAMS-

PARTY ENTERTAINED AT PAEROA.

The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, and the Hon. K. S. Williams, Minister of Public Works, accompanied by Messrs A. M. Samuel, M-P-, C. J. McKenzie, assistant engineer-in-chief, Public Works Department; L. B. Campbell, district engineer, Public Works Department; O. N. Campbell, chief drainage engineer and Commissioner of Crown Lands ; and K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands, South Auckland, reached Paeroa shortly after 5 o’clock on Monday evening in continuation of their official tour of the district.

INFORMAL DINNER

To mark the occasion of the visit of the Ministers an informal dinner was tendered at the Criterion Hotel by the Paeroa Borough Council and the Ohinemuri County Council. His Worship the. Mayor (Mr W. Marshall) presided. In addition to the members of the Ministerial party and members of the Paeroa Borough Council and Ohinemuri County Council were the chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council (Cr E. L. Walton) and Crs. C. W. Parfitt. J. A. ReidJ. C. Miller, and Messrs F. Basham (engineer) and E. A. Mahoney (clerk) ; also the chairman of the Elstow Drainage Board (Mr W. J. Andrews), Messrs M. H. Wynyafd and M. A. Carter (members of the board), and W. R- Johnson (engineer) ; Messrs O. G. Thornton (resident engineer, Public ’Works Department), H. Poland, E. AV. Porritt, P. Williams (president of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce), and others travelling with the Ministerial party. OFFICIAL WELCOME.

In extending a welcome to the Ministers the Mayor said that the Paeroa Borough and Ohinemuri County felt privileged to extend a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and the district was honoured by their presence. The Hon. A. D. McLeod had previously visited Paeroa, and the first impression gained of him was that he was undoubtedly a solid man, and that night the impression still remained. The presence of the Ministers of the Crown inspired and encouraged the people, and it was hoped that their mission among them would be a profitable one.

Turning to the Hon. K. S. Williams, the Mayor said that is it was his first official visit to Paeroa the opportunity was taken to extend to him a hearty welcome. It was hoped that he would be reasonably happy in the arduous duties which his office entailed. The interests of the district were closely bound up with the Public AVorks Department, which was the most active department in the district. The completion of the Ohinemuri and AVaihou Rivers Improvement Scheme was of vital concern, and of the greatest importance to the settlers, as well as of serious concern to the heads of local bodies. The speaker said he was delighted to see the chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council, and extended to him the hand of welcome and cooperation. In welcoming the Civil servants who were accompanying the Ministers the Mayor said that they had gained his profpundest respect, and there was much to thank the Civil servants of all departments for. In conclusion Mr Marshall said he ■hoped the presence and mission of the Ministers would be for the ultimate good of the district, and it was recognised that what benefited the district would ultimately benefit the towns, and also the nation. TOAST TO HON. McLEOD. In proposing the toast of “The Hon. A. D. McLeod” the chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council (Mr T-i. M. Corbett) paid a tribute to the capable way in which the Minister handled the affairs of his many departments. In spite of criticism of his administration at times it took a lot to shake the faith of the farmers in him. The county, - in co-operation with the borough, extended a warm welcome. Mr McLeod was making as successful a Cabinet Minister as he had a farmer, and that was saying a very great deal. . In reply the Hon. A. D. McLeod thanked Mr Corbett for the cordial welcome and flattering remarks, which, he said, were not merited. He had been a farmer all his life, and he was prouder pf being a good farmer than he was of being a good Minister. The country was passing through a period of depression at present, and the position o,f the primary producer was not an enviable one. He believed that the position which had arisen was largely a post-war one. Too many people thought i lie financial difficulties had passed away, but the huge war debt had still to be carried. It would take a long time and skilful judgment before one could satisfactorily say the effects of Svar were definitely left behind. Still, there was no other place in the world equal to New Zealand. Not only did our land feed its people, but it was able to export to the amount of £40,000,000 in a year of depression. Mr McLeod said he thought that the people had been too rash in the imports made, and he was afraid they imported largely on the side of luxury. The farmers and the townspeople were all in it. It would be necessary to seriously consider how much could be cut out and the difficulties of the country lessened. As Minister of Lands his position was an important one, and as Minister of Industries and Commerce he was closely in touch with primary and secondary producers. He firmly believed that New Zealand would never become great on farming alone, and free trade alone would never build up the country. The great hydro-electricity works and other important undertakings could never be maintained by primary producers alone. If New Zealand was to progress as it should, secondary industries must be earnestly considered and encouraged. As Minister in charge of the Electoral Department, said Mr McLeod, he was not going to give away any secrets, but no doubt Messrs Samuel, M.P., and H. Poland were interested in how the (Ohinemuri

electorate would be cut up. (Laughter.) In conclusion Mr McLeod said that he would always do his best and gD® the best that was in him, and when he found he could not do that he would drop out and give place to another. HON. K. S- WILLIAMS HONOURED. The toast of “The Hon. K. S. Williams” was entrusted tp Mr Samuel, who referred to the unique caieer of the Minister of Public Works, who bad only been in Parliament a shor( time before he, rose to Cabinet rank. It had shown clearly that Mr Williams had unusual ability and wide popularity, and he was a worthy successor to the late Hon. W. S. McDonald. In 1925 their guest had been returned’’unopposed, which was a high compliment to any member of Parliament and the speaker .added that he hoped when his turn came he would be so treated. (Laughter.) Mr Poland: And deservedly so. Continuing, Mr Samuel said that the name of Williams was a household word in New Zealand. The family had been one of the most honoured of the early pioneers. Their guest was indeed a worthy representative of the name. In eulogising the ability of the Minister Mr Samuel mentioned that the Williams family had made a generous donation of a large tract of land tp returned soldiers (applause), and the gift had been made without a flourish of trumpets. Not only had Mr Williams the confidence Of the constituents, but he also carried the full confidence and approbation of the leader of the Government. Among his many attributes it might be said that he listened to requests with kindliness, courtesy, and consideration, and after carefully weighing up the proposition he gave a direct decision. It was recognised that he. would stand no nonsense, and as a representative of the people and the keeper o,f t the public purse he would not hesitate to do what he considered- was right and equitable, which perhaps was not always what the settlers wanted. There was no doubt that as Minister of Public Works he had made good. THE MINISTER’S REPLY.

After acknowledging the hearty welcome he, had received and thanking Mr Samuel for his kindly remarks, the Hon. K. S. Williams said that as Minister of Public Works his position was both a difficult one and an important one. His department was the largest spending one in the Government, and that fact alone warranted an intelligent interest in all its affairs. He much appreciated the Mayor’s kindly remarks about the officers of his department. Since becoming a Minister he had been greatly impressed with tlieir work. He believed the Government officers did their best and at the same time conserved the spending of the Dominion’s money. It was quite, true, unfprtunately, that he had to refuse requests, but there was only a limited amount of money available for everything that required to be done. The relative importance of any particular scheme had also to be considered. Mr AVilliams said he Lad tried to travel through New’ Zealand and see thing-;, for himself, so that when it came to framing ■ estimates an intelligent viewpoint as to the relative importance of the particular work would be available. Referring to the gift pf land made by his family, the Minister said that it was not everyone who could go to the. war, and those who did not go 'had a duty to perform, and .he and his family had only done their duty towards the returned soldiers. The Minister paid a warm tribute to Mr H. Poland, who, he said had always been kind and considerate to him, especially when he first entered Parliament. In spite of criticism they had always bee.n good friends, and probably the most serious arguments they’ had had were over what was going to -win. Mr Poland : Ye", an we were often not good pickers. (Laughter.) A TOAST TO MR. POLAND. At the. call of the Mayor the health’ of Mr Poland was ehthusiastically honoured. Mr Marshall referred to 1 the long and meritorious service rendered by Mr Poland, w’ho, though op--posed in politics was a friend to the! people. In responding Mr Poland said that the toast was most unexpected, and he much appreciated the honourSpeaking reminiscently Mr Poland said that he had first met the Hon. A. D. McLeod under happy circumstances, and was proud to regard him as an old friend. One only had to know Mr McLeod to appreciate him. Tne speaker refe -ied ro the rapid promotion gained by both Ministers, and said that Mr McLeod had been selected for Cabinet rank by the late Rt. Hpn. AV.. F. Massey, who was a shrewd judge when it came to selecting a party’. The Dominion .was to be represented in Australia by a worthy person in Mr McLeod, who had been selected to represent the Government at the opening of Parliament at Canberra. Referring to the Hon. K. S. AVilliams Mr Poland said that he was a lovable, likeable gentleman, and there could be no higher praise. Mr AVilliams always admitted his faults and failings, and was ever ready to accept the advice and co-operation of his departmental officers, on whom so much depended. It was a pleasure to meet both Ministers in his home, town and accord a few eulogistic words to those who had been his political enemies but, nevertheless, both estimable gentlemen whose friendship he valued. This concluded the function, and the Ministers proceeded to the Borough Council Chambers for the purpose of receiving deputations, which were introduced by Mr A. M. Samuel M.P.