STALWART OF REFORM

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 249, 19 September 1929, Page 4

STALWART OF REFORM

TRIBUTE TO MR JAMES. WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT. The veteran Dominion secretary of the Political Reform League, Mr E. A. James, received warm praise from his leader, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, at a gathering of Reform supporters in Auckland, on Monday, and was accorded a hearty vote of appreciation. Speaking of Mr James’s retirement from active duties at the end of this month, Mr Coates said his record was 22 years’ unwearied service in the party’s cause. Mr James’s work had been carried out mainly in the background, where he had toiled with the leaders, and he had never had the recognition he deserved. Although he was soon retiring, his services would bo retained in an advisory capacity, and he would control certain parts of the work. Every Reform representative in Parliament and every active participant .in the affairs of the organisation realised his value and appreciated his services in the past. Mr Coates moved a vote of thanks to Mr James. This was seconded by a lady in the audience and carried by acclamation. Mr James, in a brief reply, said the occasion brought back to his mind the organising work done preparatory to the general election of 1912, whereby the party came to power. He had always felt that Retorm was much indebted to Auckland, which had been largely responsible for making the change of Government possible. Yet it had never been possible in 1912 to assemble so large a gathering of Auckland Reform supporters as he now saw before him, and the organisation today was far better. If all present would act as missioners in the party cause he was convinced that Reform would be back in office before long. “While life remains to me and it is possible for me to help forward the cause of the party, you may rest assured that 1 will do so,” concluded Mr James, who was heartily applauded as he sat down.