NATIONAL PARTY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 172, 4 May 1937, Page 6

NATIONAL PARTY

SPEECH BY THE LEADER.

PROSPECT AT THE ELECTIONS.

LABOUR FINANCE CRITICISED

(Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, This Day

The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) last evening addressed a large meeting of the National Party.

Discussing his northern tour, he said the indications were that the party would win three seats in the North Island, while a good light was certain in the Auckland Province, where the Coalition won only five of the 27 seats. They hoped to win half those, seats. Very keen interest was being shown in the Wellington Province, where the reorganisation was at its best, 10,000 members being enrolled. Throughout the South Island the movement was gaining strong support. Labour’s aim was the inauguration of Socialistic Government. They were on the way, with the brakes off. It was the duty of all to see that the country was well governed and that the future was safeguarded. Reduction in taxation was mentioned by Mr Hamilton. In the past, £25,000,000 sufficed to run the affairs of the State, but this year Labour was collecting and spending £30,000,000. He was certain there was no need to collect that amount, as it w'as wiser to leave the money with the taxpayers, who were wiser spenders than the State.

Concluding, Mr Hamilton said that Labour’s actions were dominated by sentiment and sympathy. These were excellent virtues to be cultivated, but should not be allowed to dominate judgment and reason. The whole Labour legislation was dominated by sympathy—more pensions, more sustenance, more charities—without thought for the other side of the story. The country had to keep the balance between judgment and the emotional side.

MR HAMILTON’S HEALTH GOOD

CONTRARY RUMOURS SCOUTED.

DUNEDIN, This Day

Rumours of the ill-health of the Hon. Adam Hamilton were scouted at a meeting of the Otago (Southern) division of the National Party.

“Rumours are going round that Mr Hamilton is keeping the position open for Mr Coates,” said the chairman, who added: “Mr Hamilton is not the type of man to play second fiddle to anybody and is quite capable of running his own affairs. ,

“So far as my health is concerned,” said Mr Hamilton, at a later stage of the meeting, “I will tell you when it starts to go.”