PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 679, 3 June 1929, Page 1

PRIME MINISTER WELCOMED

Aucklanders Greet Sir Joseph

FIRST VISIT SINCE ELECTION ON liis first visit to Auckland since the General Election, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, received a warm welcome as, with his daughter, Mrs. B. B. Wood, of Christchurch, he stepped off: the Limited this morning.

In addition to the Plons. H. Atmore, Minister of Education, W. B. Taverner, Minister of Railways, A. J. Stallworthy, Minister of Health, and J. B. Donald, Postmaster-General, there were on the platform to welcome Sir Joseph, Mr. A. J. Murdoch, senior Government Whip, Messrs. C. G. Munns, J. S. Fletcher and H. R. Jenkins, M.P.’s, and prominent officials of the Auckland branch of the United Party. Despite the late arrival of the express and the counter-attractions of the holiday; there was a crowd of some hundreds to greet Sir Joseph who stepped from the last carriage of the train to a burst @f cheers. He was warmly welcomed by the official party, and then conducted to a platform that had been erected at e Breakwater Road end of the station. On his way, he was stopped by one enthusiastic citizen, who grasped him by the hand with the words, “Good old Joe!” The greeting was smilingly acknowledged. Then cheers were given for Sir Joseph and Mrs. Wood as he stepped on to the platform. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME The chairman of the Auckland executive of the United Party, Mr. J. Trevithick, then extended Auckland’s congratulations and welcome to the Prime Minister. On the occasion of Sir Joseph’s last visit, said Mr. Trevithick, he had .welcomed him as Leader of the United Party. Then the hope had b-ien confidently expressed that Sir Joseph would be welcomed next as Prime Minister. That hope had been consummated. The gathering was present to celebrate and honour the fulfilment of that prophecy, and to emphasise New Zealand’s faith and confidence in Sir Joseph, and his policy, which had been wide and comprehensive enough to be acceptable to the people. The faith had not been misplaced, as was evidenced by the spirit of optimism permeating the minds of all classes of the community, dispelling the dark clouds of despondency that had enveloped and were paralysing the very life of commerce and industry.

Already, with the accession of the new Government, there was greater buoyancy in the business life of the Dominion, and the prosperity in commerce would go far in bringing peace and contentment to the ranks of Labour. “STAR IS MOUNTING” The remarks of Mr. Trevithick were endorsed by Mr. E. Aldridge, who said that it was fitting to welcome the representative of his Majesty’s Government on the King’s Birthday and in king’s weather. The star of the United Party was steadily mounting to the zenith of its light and usefulness, and New Zealand’s historic return to Liberalism had been not so much the result of the previous state .of affairs as of a feeling of confidence in New Zealand’s young man of politics —Sir Joseph Ward. (Applause.) Returning thanks, the Prime Minister said that he felt as if he were coming home. Because of the enormous amount of work which had devolved on the administration, it had been difficult to get to Auckland, but he felt that he could not begin the session without paying his respects to the city. Also, he was coming to Auckland so that, on the floor of the House, he could be equipped with information on the various questions which affected Auckland. DIFFICULT TASK “Since my last visit to Auckland,”

said Sir Joseph, “I have been transformed from Leader of the United Party to Prime Minister. 1 value the remarks of Mr. Trevithick on that subject very highly. We have not an easy task in front of us —in some respects it is very difficult, but I have every confidence in the ability of those associated with me, and in the good sense of Parliament. “This feeling, however, does not debar me from having a policy which is calculated to advance j the interest of ail classes in this country. It is not ithe time for skirmishing with minor matters. The big questions are for us in Parliament. We want to diffuse more people on to the land than there have been during the last 15 years, for the land is the sheetanchor of New Zealand. “However, you will be saying that 1 am delivering a policy speech, and I will not deliver that until tomorrow evening. Thank you very much for coming here to welcome me on a morning that is very attractive elsewhere. (Laughter.) I thank you for the sacrifice of your time that you have made.” Cheers were then given for Sir Joseph, the United Par.ty, and—on the call of Sir Joseph—for the speakers. A SHORT SESSION “THREE OR FOUR MONTHS/' SAYS SIR JOSEPH “I do not anticipate that the session of Parliament this year will last more than three to four months. Of course, there is some contentious legislation, but not very much.” That was the opinion the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, expressed in an interview today. Sir Joseph added that questions concerning policy would be discussed by him in his public address tomorrow. He would deal with the Auckland Harbour bridge among other problems. Railways also will be treated, and it is believed that Sir Joseph will make a reply to the recent criticism of State railway ventures by Mr. F. J. Jones, late chair- . man of the Railway Board, j Unemployment and the report oi . the committee set up to obtain statis- . tical information on the incidence oi i unemployment also will be mentioned.