PUBLICLY WELCOMED IN WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 30 December 1907, Page 2

PUBLICLY WELCOMED IN WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, December 27. Mr. Keir Hardie arrived in Wellington to-night, and was accorded a public welcome at a supper in the concert room of the Town Hall. About 130 persons were present, and the Mayor (the Hon. T. W. Hislop) presided. He stated that their guest, in the whole of his careei', had exhibited1 self-abnegation and a determination to better th-e position, of the class which required help, regardless of his own personal interests and comfort. The Hon. J. Rigg, M.L.C., endorsed the Mayor's remarks, and tine Hon. W. W. McCardle, M.L.C., also spoke appreciatively of Mr. Keir Hardie.

: In responding, Mr. Hardie said had ho believed all he liad read at Home about New Zealand and its extreme policy he would have liesitated abo.ut risking his profession by being seen hero. He conveyed a fraternal message from the Labour Party of .the House of Commons. This visit to New Zealand had no political significance; he was simply hero to meet old' friends and campaigners in the early days of the movement at Home. He urged the Imperial Conferences of Labour, just as they held Imperial Conferences now, though Labour which was mostly affected by the questions dealt with was not represent--ed. If his tour round the Dominion served even indirectly to bring those I connected with this movement in touch, I and thereby making the way for a unitj ed policy in the near future, it would /not have 'been undertaken in vain.