PICNIC OUTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1940, Page 7

PICNIC OUTING

LABOUR REPRESENTATION ' COMMITTEE I LARGE GATHERING DEFIES ' WEATHER. ADDRESSES BY MR FRASER I AND OTHERS. Xoi withstanding teeming rain, there was a large attendance at the Wairarapa Labour Representation Committee's annual picnic, held at the Tauherenikau Racecourse on Saturday afternoon. Races and competitions organised for the children were enjoyed and afforded onlookers considerable amusement. Among the visitors present from all parts of the Wairarapa were the Members for the Wairarapa and Masterton electorates, Messrs Ben Roberts and J. Robertson, and the president of the W.L.R.C., Mr C. C. Kenward. The official Government party included the Deputy-Prime Minister, Mr Peter Fraser and Mrs Fraser, Mr M. Moore, National Secretary of the L.R.C., accompanied by Mrs Moore. Piped down the’ winding bush drive, the party received a particularly enthusiastic reception. On behalf of the Wairarapa L.R.C., Mr Kenward extended a warm welcome to Mr Fraser and the official party. After referring to the generous treatment (he district was receiving from tne Education'Department, he congratulated Mr Fraser on the splendid work he was doing during Mi’ Savage’s illness. In welcoming Mr Fraser on behalf of his electorate. Mr Roberts stated that the leaders of the Labour movement today were the old stalwarts who had fought for the cause, and who, when they later assumed office, had never dreamed of administering a war policy. He considered, he said, that the Government had faced up bravely to its responsibilities. Referring to Mr Savage’s indisposition, Mr Roberts stated that as a fighter for the cause oi Labour, Mr Savage was one ’ of the most loyal men to be found from the North Cape to the Bluff. “In the times facing us now,” said Mr Robertson, “I see a critical period in the history of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Our difficulties will be worked out just as much by maintaining economic standards and also the standard of living -as they will by our carrying on at the military front. The greatest need of the present) time is to maintain the integrity of the Labour movement. The loyalty of ideal for which the movement stands is particularly important, as if, at the end of the war, a proper and just peace is to be made, it is from the Dominions that the impetus will come. I consider that it is more important to win peace, when that time comes, than to win the war,” Mr Robertson observed. He stressed the deep lesson to be learnt from a Will Dyson cartoon he had seen in a publication printed in 1919, showing the parties to the Treaty of Versailles_leaving the hall. In the corner was a child weeping. Above the child was the caption ‘1940 class.” "It behoves people to pass on something better than last time,” he added. Mr Robertson urged the maintenance of the movement and its ideals, which if universally effective would abolish the spectre of war from the world. (Applause). “If the working people are true to themselves we are politically invincible,” stated Mr M. Moore. He referred to the strong position of the Labour organisation. “What with skins and hides and the like, we can be thankful that this is something beyond Governmental control,” commented Mr Fraser amidst laughter, referring to the pouring rain. In apologising for the fact that Mr Savage’s illness made his attendance impossible, Mr Fraser stated: "I do not know of any other man who has given more devotion or sacrifice to the Labour movement. If he had been able to come today he would have been here. I have known him since 1910 and I know of no more selfless man. His thoughts have always been for the people of New Zealand—what he could do to help the people and their children. For years he has given jjjne, money and energy consistently for the cause of Labour. If ever there was a deserving man for the Premiership it is Mr Savage. "I shall convey to him personally your greetings and kind regards.” Mr Fraser added. Referring to the progress of the Labour movement in Australia, Mr Fraser stated that things were going better there than for many years. Listening to the election results, in 1935, from New South Wales it was very depressing to him, to heai of defeat after defeat coming over the air, particularly in the strongest Labour state in Australia. On the other hand, from Brisbane came victory after victory for Labour. "I wondered why. Then I learnt that in New South Wales the Labour party had been fighting amongst themselves, about their men and their leaders. Between them they wrecked the movement. We have to be careful in this country. The movement is the most important," continued Mr Fraser. "In Queensland apart from a break of three years there has been a Labour Government since 1915. Learning the lesson of that three years, the people never allowed personal influence to cloud their decision again. It would be a complete misconception of what Labour stood foi that none of us in Parliament today have not had to fight for the cause ano to establish its principles and legislation. None would have been appointee, but for the rank and file—the ’unknown soldier of Labour.' The trust placed in our hands is a sacred one." Passing to the progress of the Labour movement in Great Britain, Mr Fraser stated that they were in better heart than in 1935. They were moreunited and the future was much brighter. He mentioned having had a discussion with the Opposition Leader, Major Attlee, and his deputy. Mr A. Greenwood who had filled the breach during Major Attlee’s illness. Mr Fraser then referred to the enormous memberships of some of the British trade unions, pointing out that the Transport Workers’ Union had 500.000 members. "When the call went forth for dock workers to assist the transportation of the Britisn Expeditionary Force over to France hundreds of members of that | union donned the uniform in the cause, of democracy and are now still over al the French ports," he continued. “The I British Labour Party and the trade unions were never more united or determined to help Great Britain and France in their common cause." Amidst loud cheering, the official car

was piped out. of the grounds by Messrs J. B. Mansell and J. Johns. A produce stall well stocked with saleable goods attracted a keen demand and brisk business soon saw it cleared.