"A FOOL'S PARADISE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 177, 29 July 1938, Page 11

"A FOOL'S PARADISE."

YOUNG PEOPLE'S FUTURE. "SAVING THE COUNTRY." (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. "I have never before known the people of this .country to. toe so stirred up concerning" a generM' election' as they are to-day," said Mr. G. W.Forbes (National, Hurimui) when speaking in the Budget debate the House of representatives yesterday. "The Government says it is satisfied it is coming back with a large majority," he continued. "Well, it may, but one of the amazing things to me —and I have had experience of many elections —is the organisation being set up throughout the country by the National party." In his own electorate there were 18 active branches. In the past there had only been a "scratch" committee .

Mr. A. G. Osborne (Government, Manukau): You'll all be scratched at next election.

Mr. Forbes said he had been wondering whether the age of miracles had not passed, seeing how .spontaneously the people were joining up with the National party's organisation. When the Government expressed satisfaction, with the coming contest he cojuld only think that the members of the Labour party were living in a fool's paradise. Government members should inforiii the ' Cabinet what was happening in their own electorates. In districts where political organisations' iad never before had a branch, organisation" 'was being, perfected against the Government, which showed the change of mind that had jcome over the people.

Branches of the National party were springing up like mushfoomfe throughout the country, and the reason was the dissatisfaction of the electors with the. Government's expenditure;- the opinion being widespread that the Government was embarking upon a policy', rwithout thought of the consequences.., to the Dominion. Those who had families realised what was ahead when viewing the huge expenditure of the last two year*. V?*-