NATIONAL PARTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 5

NATIONAL PARTY

MANAWATU ELECTORATE. ' SOUND POSITION SHOWN. The annual meeting of the National Party in the Manawatu electorate was held last evening, Mr Q. Wilson presiding over a very large attendance of delegates. The following branches were represented: Awahuri, Ashhurst, Carnarvon, Colyton, Fcilding, Haleombe, Kniranga, Bongo tea, Sanson, To Arakura, Whakarongo, and women’s organisations. Those present were: Hon. J. G. C'obbc, Messrs L. A. Nowcombc, S. A Oxcnham, A. McKiiilay, S. R. Wiggins, D. N. Maul, H. J. Woodroofo, A. R. Gibson, A. K. Simpson, J. L. Knight, It. D. Mclvelvie, E. J Arnott, S. Armitagc, 13. McLeod, F. P. Fawcett, It. J. Harper, A. Campbell, Wrightson, Burne, J. Duke, H. N. Rowe, C. E. Taylor, W. H. Henson, J. Bradley, W. E. Pearce. E. F. Cousins, N. Shortall, H. \V. Shepherd, C. L. Grace, P. Hansen, W. IS. Thomas, IS. 13. Gordon (M.P. for Rangitikci), C. D. Collis, L. 13. Wall, O. E. Bee, J. Callesen, J. 13. Chrystall, D. B. Rowe, W.- J. Smith, J. Nairn, It. Hamilton, 13. Short and W. Payne. Women’s .organisations: Mesdames Thomas, Wiggins, Armitagc, M. Rowlands. D. B. Rowe, B. M. Spence, B. McLeod, H. Shepherd, N. Shortall, C. V. Jewell, H. Brandt, R. H. Buchanan, S. Prouse, it. AY. Rentoul, Misses J. Cousins and E. McKirdy. ... Reporting on the year’s activities, Mr Wilson said that the war had disturbed plans to a great extent, hut the organisation had been kept intact and the skeleton executive had attended to matters of paramount importance. Messrs E. W. Barnett and R. Linklater had joined the Air I'orce, and the electorate wished them success. The National Party was desirous of returning New Zealand to its economic normality, and its efforts would he concentrated in that dilection. Reference to the passing of the late Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) was made by the chairman, and as a mark of respect the meeting stood a moment in silence. . The treasurer (Mr \ . E. Smith) presented the financial statement and pointed out that the receipts had been very satisfactory. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £154 Gs 2d. Mr Smith expressed thanks to the ladies’ organisations for their support, and paid a special tribute to the work of Mrs J. Williamson. The president’s report and the financial statement were adopted on the motion of Mr A. Campbell, who congratulated the executive on the sound position of the party in the Manawatu and offered his appreciation to the president and other officers for their untiring efforts. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The officers elected are: President, Mr Q. Wilson; vice president, Mr A. Campbell; treasurer, Mr V. E. Smith; delegates to Dominion conference, M essrs Wilson and Campbell; delegates to divisional conference, Mesdames Spence and J. Williamson (women's organisations), Messrs BMcLeod and Q. Wilson. Members of the emergency and finance committees elected last year were re-elected with the addition of Mr R. J. Harper. The personnel of the .electorate executive committee remained unchanged. Advice was received from the divisional finance committee intimating that the electorate’s quota towards financial commitments of the organisation this year would he £l5O. Verbal reports on fhe activities of the branches in the Manawatu were made by the respective secretaries, the statements showing that the organisations were fully active. Miss J. Cousins reported on behalf of the women's organisations. Mr Wilson said that lie was pleased that the party in the various districts was. very active. A tribute to the valuable services of Mrs J. Williamson was paid bv Messrs McLeod and Campbell, and it was decided unanimously that some tangible recognition bo made. Mr Gordon addressed the gathering, and before doing so congratulated the president on his re-election. Air Gordon also congratulated the electorate on its excellent attendance at the meeti ltg. Mr Gordon urged members to continue to give the party their full support and to lie ready to embark on an election campaign when the time came. He traced the activities of the Government over the past eighteen months and referred to the extravagant expenditure and the control of industries by the Government. In its war effort the Government had the cooperation of the National Party, hut lie deplored the fact that the Government had not taken the Opposition into its confidence. In the recruiting campaign the National Party was doing all in its power to assist the Government. In industry it was essential that the yield of primary products be increased, and the National Party was prepared to do all in its power to influence the Government to make the effort practicable by removing difficulties in regard to labour, etc. Other matters of moment wore discussed by' the speaker, who at the conclusion of his remarks was accorded a vote of thanks.