Speech to Finchley Conservatives (Association AGM)

Document type:	Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue:	Conservative Hall, 267 Ballards Lane, Finchley
Source:	Finchley Times, 25 March 1960
Editorial comments:	The Finchley Press, 25 March 1960, adds: "While Mrs Margaret Thatcher, MP for Finchley and Friern Barnet, was speaking at the Conservatives’ annual general meeting on Monday she apologised for the quietness of her voice because "I have been reading stories to a sick child". Only a handful of friends there knew that she was referring to one of her own children, six year old twin, Mark, who was recovering from an appendicitis operation in Farnborough Hospital".
Importance ranking:	Minor
Word count:	550
Themes:	Employment, By-elections, Taxation, Foreign policy - theory and process, Foreign policy (Africa), Foreign policy (Asia)

Finchley Conservatives Honour Sir John Crowder

Sir John Crowder, M.P. for Finchley from 1935 until the general election last year, was presented with an illuminated address at the annual meeting of Finchley and Friern Barnet Conservative Association on Monday. He was accompanied by Lady Crowder.

His successor, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P., accompanied by her husband, received an enthusiastic reception.

The Divisional chairman, Mr. C. H. Blatch congratulated the various sections of the Association on their succesful work in 1959, when they won eleven Council seats out of fourteen, in addition to returning Mrs. Thatcher as their M.P. with an increased majority.

“Our cause is good and at its highest peak,” he declared. If we push the Conservative way of life then success will continue to come our way. If we slip from the successes we have now gained it will take many years to recover.”

The financial report by Councillor E. Fergusson Taylor, showed a successful financial year.

It was with regret that, after six years as treasurer, he was unable to seek re-election in view of his other public work.

Mrs. Thatcher thanked all the officers of the Division and wards for their work during the election campaign.

Speaking of the Brighouse bye-election, she said they won the seat by supreme organisation and a sound policy.

What happened in Parliament affected everybody, she said. Unemployment had been improved to a great extent compared with last year. We were faced with absolute boom conditions, though there were pockets of unemployment in some parts of the country.

She did not think there would be any great financial concessions this year, but she would like to see the end of Schedule A.

On the subject of Africa, she said there was no simple solution to the problem. Some white people had been there for three and more generations and they should not be turned out. We also had problems over Russia and Germany and, perhaps in a few years time, with China as a nuclear power.

Mr. A. D. C. Miller, president, presenting the illuminated scroll to Sir John Crowder, said he was present when Sir John was first elected in 1935. He thanked him for all he had done for the Conservative cause in Finchley.

He mentioned that when the Rent Act was before Parliament, Sir John introduced an amendment which prevented many people from being evicted.

“This is positively my last appearance on a public platform in Finchley, but I hope to see many of you from time to time,” said Sir John.

He congratulated Mrs. Thatcher on her election and wished her well in Parliament.

He added that he was proud to have been granted the Freedom of the Borough.

Lady Crowder also thanked the gathering for all the kindness shown her during their 24 years association and said she, too, hoped to be among them from time to time.

Officers elected were: President: Mr. A. C. D. Miller; treasurer, Mr. E. M. Morgan: assist, treasurer: Mr. John Drinkwater; secretary, County Cllr. Miss J. L. Scott.