NATIONAL PARTY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1941, Page 8

NATIONAL PARTY

DOMINION CONFERENCE OPENED TRIBUTES TO GREAT BRITAIN .& FIGHTING FORCES. SUPPORT FOR MAXIMUM WAR EFFORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Resolutions passed at the first day's sitting of the Dominion Conference of the New Zealand National Party, which opened in Wellington yesterday, included a tribute to the new leader of the party, Mr S. G. Holland, and to his predecessor, the Hon. Adam Hamilton. More than 200 delegates from all parts of New Zealand were present, including the National Party members of Parliament. Also present were Mrs S. G. Holland, wife of the Leader of the Opposition, and Mrs J. Hargest, Mrs J. M. Allen. Mrs A. N. Grigg, and Mrs T. L. McDonald, wives of members of Parliament who are serving overseas with the N.Z.E.F.

At the start of the proceedings the following motion, proposed by Dr. Hilda Northcroft (Auckland) and seconded by Mr E. T. Beaven, Christchurch, was carried unanimously:— “This conference wishes to express its admiration of the fortitude of the people of the Mother Country in their present great ordeal and to join in the tributes paid to the heroism' of our own forces overseas. V/ith a full realisation of the dangers which threaten democratic civilisation, we urge the greatest' possible effort by all New Zealanders to promote the maximum war effort, and further pledge our support to the nation's cause till victory is won. We humbly desire to express our sympathy for the relatives of all those who have given their lives in the fighting in Greece and other theatres of war.”

>- FAITH IN MR. HOLLAND. Ii: A resolution extending a special welcome to Mr Holland in his new capacity as Leader of the party, and expressing implicit faith in his ability y to provide that leadership so essential : to the country in the present time of s crisis was proposed by Mr G. M. Smith, Auckland, seconded by Mr E. ; - J. Smith. Dunedin, and carried by acclamation. Mr Holland, in reply, said he was particularly pleased that among those present were Mrs A. N. Grigg, who 1 had topped the poll in the Ashburton ' Hospital Board election last Saturday, 1 while her husband was overseas, and ! Dr. Hilda Northcroft, who had topped! the poll in the Auckland Hospital ' Board election. He also referred to ' the presence of Mr J. Park, who had ’ last Saturday been elected Mayor of ’ Onehunga, and was the National Party candidate in that electorate. Mr Holland paid a special tribute to veteran members of the National Party in Parliament, whose retirement is pending. He said that Sir Alfred Ransom and the Hon. J. G. Cobbe had given the country splendid service. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, who had announced that he would not be standing again for Hurunui if 'a suitable candidate could be found to replace him, would also be sadly missed in the event of his retirement, after his long and distinguished Parliamentary service. TRIBUTE TO MR HAMILTON. Mr C. W. D. Bell, in paying a tribute to the Hon. A. Hamilton, said Mr Hamilton had been associated with the National Party at a time when the j tide was against it, and his work for i the party would always be remem- i bered. The following resolution was carried amid applause:— “This conference desires also to pay i its respects to the Hon. A. Hamilton, to | place on record its appreciation of his past services, particularly his lasting work in the building of the party organisation during a very difficult period, and to express its pleasure at his presence at this gathering.” Mr Hamilton, in reply, said he had I made many friends throughout New Zealand during his strenuous period as 1 leader of the party, and would al- ■ ways be happy to serve the party in I any capacity. I A resolution was also carried expressing appreciation of the hard work and attention to duty of National Party members in the House. Reports of activities in their dis-1 tricts were presented on behalf of the i five divisions by Mr G. M. Smith (Auckland), Mr W. A. Clark (South Auckland), Mr J. H. Mcllroy (Wei-1 lington), Mr E. Beaven (Canterbury),:! and Mr C. J. Wood (Otago). Mr | Smith reported that in the soldiers’ > | clubroom operated by the National:’ Party in Auckland more than 12.000 - free meals had been provided for members of the services.

It was announced during the day that Mr Theo Hills had been appointed secretary-organiser of the Wellington Division, and that Mr C. W. D. Bell, senior -vice-president, was about to leave on active service overseas. In referring' to Mr Bell's departure, the president mentioned that he had served in the Air force in the last war. and had long been anxious to serve in come capacity in the present one.