SPEECH BY MR. S. G. SMITH, M.P.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1918, Page 6

SPEECH BY MR. S. G. SMITH, M.P.

"AT"A COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL. In acknowledging the presentation made to lliiin by the railway workers on Monday night, Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., said lie appreciated all the kind remarks! made for his future welfare, and desired to acknowledge the gifts made to himself and. Mrs. Smith. He remembered the long list of favors he had received in the past, and now his comrades had added more. Although he had been obliged to sever hiis connection with the A.S.R.S., he hoped to always take an interest in their welfare. When he joined in June, 1§97, it was much against his parents' wishes, but he had stuck to his work. His records were in ttie cupboards and on the walls, and they would have no difficulty in tracing his work in lhat direction. He touched on the great nbed for unity in the service, but as far as the A.S.R.S. was concerned he believed they liad mado solid progress. Greater unity, however, was desired, and if the present leaders could not obtain that desirable object they sihould change their leaders. He had given his pledge to do his best to bring about a better system. At present : other branches of the civil service lacked a good many things that the railwaymen enjoyed. When he joined they had only two mail trains a week and an exceedingly small staff, but, although small, they were a very happy family. Since the day of the'election he had been kept very busy, and that day had received numerous deputations on a variety of matters, thus indicating a very busy period ahead; but he trusted that the few months he had to spend in Wellington would prove very beneficial to the province. Mr. Smith later said the true founder of Liberation was Sir George Grey. Messrs Ballance and Seddon carried it on, but it was to Mr. W. P. Reeves they Teally setting up of labor laws, the abolishing of sweating, and the right to breathe the fresh air. The conditions of to-day were largely the grand work of Mr. Seddon. During the past six years a change iliad come over politics, but he believed a further change was going to happen. During the election lie had received a communication to the effect "that if they could win in Taranaki they could win in other parts, and a new democracy would sway the colony." He had been fighting for a 4Shours week, but he had thrown it away himself, as his own hours were becoming pretty solid. Ho then touched on several local matters. The Harbor Empowering Bill would have a far-reaching effect. He hoped to see the Harbor Board and tiiie Borough Council agree to an exchange of land that would permit of a municipal building being erected more in keeping with t'he progress of the town. Another matter \va9 the need for bett-er grounds for the West End school, which at present were totally inadequate for the sAolnrs' requirements. The cost of living was pressing unduly hard on parents, and in some instances the believed it militated against parents continuing their children's seconaar.v education at the High School and Technical College. Regarding the farming community he hoped to be able to weld together the small farmer and the worker, so that the 4wo would have more in common. Both were toiling in the true sense of the word, and he trusted his efforts would secure for them greater consideration than had been meted out to them in the past.