NEW OUTLOOK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 157, 5 July 1937, Page 8

NEW OUTLOOK.

POLITICAL ARENA.

OPPOSITION EAGER.

HAVE "FOUND THEIR WIND." READY FOR THE FRAY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, ttils day. New Zealand's political Opposition received eo heavy a knock-out blow at last election that it took at least a year for the diminished band of Nationalists in Parliament to "find their wind." But now the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, gives an assurance that they are in good heart. This provides some indication that the coming session will be distinctive for its debates, the Opposition members who attended the recent caucus being well satisfied with the material at their disposal. A Quiet Start. Interviewed after the Opposition meeting in Wellington, Mr. Hamilton surveyed the political scene, and explained the reasons why the Opposition had to be content with an extremely quiet role during the early stages of the Labour Government's existence.

"Perhaps the electors were inclined to blame us for holding off," said Mr. Hamilton with a reminiscent smile. "But the electors made the choice, and did not provide us with a very large party to maintain a close watch on Government policy. In any case, during the first session we had to give the Government the opportunity of putting its general election promises into effect, and the electors will be able to judge whether they are doing that now.

"Our attitude was not obstructive, but we took a .very early opportunity of warning the community of the possible consequences of this legislation, and I would not be surprised if to-day the Government itself is not beginning to realise uncomfortably the difficulties it has created by its legislation, particularly of last session.

"Instituting a basic wage has brought with it a crop of difficulties, which the Prevention of Profiteering Act was no doubt intended to avoid. But I fancy that the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, as its administrator, is finding that risinj; costg are submerging the promised benefits of higher wages, with the result that workers find themselves no better off, while some or them are wnrsp off when purchasing power is considered.

"There have been some attempts to administer this antT-prorlleefTug Act in the hope that costs could be kept down, and I believe the Minister has had people on the mat over their charges, but the whole position has buret the barriers!

"They were critics all their life till they took office," continued the Opposition Leader, "but now the Labour Ministers are finding out the responsibilities of their position, and the burden of administration is much heavier than they expected. After 18 months of office the Government has ft history, and the country can see the course they are shaping, also the consequences of their legislation. Now the Government faces the task of defending their own legislation, and not only the Statutes, but their administration.

Improved World Prices. Mr. Hamilton pointed out that before the- Government party was in ollice it maintained that New Zealand should set its own standard, independently of the prices received for it* products in the world's markets. Now the Government's defenders were making a point of contrasting conditions of a severe slump in world prices with those prevailing in the Dominion under an era of prosperity induced by higher export returns. "But I think," continued Mr. Hamilton, "that they realise that the position is different from that which t'aey imagined, and that the rise in prices has been a mighty factor in New Zealand's prosperity—if not the only factor. Instead of Labour legislation our prosperity is based on improved prices for our exports." "Yes, we look forward to the session in really good heart," concluded the Opposition leader. "We have a foundation to work on. The foundation of the Government's legislation has been laid and after 18 months, we are beginning to see the consequences, and we have 18 months of Labour administration to dwell upon. It certainly puts us on a more even footing so far as debating is concerned. "Although the electors left us a very small team, every member of it is willing and well prepared, and we are completing a platform which will advocate the chance of the individual to develop his activities and his initiative, in contrast with the deadening lack of freedom of the State machine. It will be a national instead of a class programme," added Mr. Hamilton emphatically.