PARTY'S CLAIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 12

PARTY'S CLAIM.

LEADER SPEAKS.

BROADCAST ADDRESS

SOLIDARITY EMPHASISED. OPPOSITION TO SOCIALISM. I Fly TrlrKrnpli.— Press Association.) ( HUIS 1( linn H. Fritliiv. "My partyV claim to tin- description National' is supported by fact," said tin' Hon. A. Hamilton. Leudei of the it ional, party, in his nddrcss which was I'l'oadcant from ( hristchurch to night. I 110 address created great iiitcrc-t. and ii.ilf an hour before the hour ol the Mi.-et ing the door* of St. -fume-. Iheatre Miid to lie eloped and ru-li armngoment > made for a relay of his speech by loudI'caker to a crowd of several hundred- ■ limbic to lie admitted. I"I10 enthusiastic support, -ri\ en l" Mi. Hamilton',s views outweighed the liuoritv di-approval. K\pre a «ious ot .11 -*,i ifi 1 ii i>• 111 'd ince--an'!v and lln i . inn ir: 111, i p|da i, -c .his ~iip|H -rI• •i - , .1- II ml 111, i iii-lied t ill nil ghoilt. At tiie ■ iid "i iii- tun liruir-—" address Mr. Hamilton was cheered and musically ,ii da imed. while a hearty vote of thanks, ind confidence in him a* Prime Minister nud a pledge to work wholeheartedly for i lie return of the National party was

<loc!ar*d carried overwhelmingly on the voices by the chairman, Mr. T. Milliken. Che tenor of the meeting was one of j_niod humour and Mr. Hamilton had no difficulty at any stage in making himfelf lioiird. v Proud to be Leader. "L am proud to stand to-day at the heud of one of the greatest parties that ever entered the political arena in New Zealand," he added. "It has bound into <>ne unit all sections of political thought opposed to Socialism and Stat# dictat <>r ship." Dealing with the land settlement policy of the National party, Mr. Hamilton said that for the year ending June, 1038, the Dominion's exports totalled the enormous record of just on £02,000,000, and of that amount almost £50,000,000, or 95 per cent, came from farms. It was therefore not difficult to realise the great value that the farming Industry was to New Zealand's i-ronomic wealth. Farming of a more intensive nature, therefore, offered one of the best avenues for providing the l>nople with suitable homes and permanent occupations, and the National party when returned would pursue a vigorous land settlement policy. There was no doubt about that statement. Any suitable unoccupied Crown lands would )>e made available for settlement immediately. The party would also encourage voluntary subdivision by reducing or removing many of the coats at present to he paid by those who subdivided their holding* for closer settlement. There were large numbers of young men with xmall amounts of capital to-day who were anxious to make homes for themselves on pieces of land, and every assistance would be provided for them to do so, both in regard to finance and the question of obtaining suitable areas. Mr. Hamilton contended that successful farming could be parried on only by farmers owning their own land and being free to manage it according to their own judgments from day to day.

Retailing Sural Population. One of the biggest problems of to-day, he said, was to retain the rural population' in country districts. To that end homes would be provided, especially for voting couples in country districts who desired to marry. Provision would also ho made for building homes for married farm workers and attention would be niven to providing all-weather roads, rural mails, telephone and electricity services as far outback a» possible. "I am certain," said Mr. Hamilton, "that democracy can only be maintained l>y free, independent and educated people. Children are the greatest asset of every nation, plus home environment, "ud tin- part, played by teachers in shaping the destinies of children and young people Is of paramount importance." He attributed to the teaching profession the wonderful awakening of interest in culture in recent, years in the. Dominion, and he held that it said a great deal for the initiative and enthusiasm of tcmehers throughout the country that to day theTß was definite evidence of rlTort to retain the measure of freedom Inherent In our system, and which was a heritage worth defending. If ever t hern was an education system that so strenuously refused to recognise or encourage class prejudice and whieli encouraged freedom of thought and expression it was ours to-day. "I myself know first hand." said Mr Hamilton, "the craving for education that comes from lack of opportunity iind T msy claim to have had excellent opportunity to judge the importance ol education. I was unable to continue fron primary school to secondary school When I wws 25 years of age I decide* that a sixth standard education was no satisfying. I went to the Dunedia Tech nical College and then to the Otagi University for three years. I spent i further three years at Knox Colleg Theological Hall. Later, in both bus! lie** and farming activity and in ordir ary contact with my fellow men I cam to realise just how much opportunit; however lata, to secure better educt tion meant." It was our duty to-day, he continue to «ec that opportunities knocked at tl ill <r of oacli child, and knocked at tl . , ,r of each adult too. His party wou

continue to co-operate with educational workers to carry mi the magnificent development of to-day's facilities, so that to-morrow would always offer a higher goal. Everyone must realise, he said, that no country was best served by one-sided propaganda, class prejudice, suppression or dictation or bureaucratic centralisation which merely compiled rigidity and withered freedom of thought and expression. He was determined through hi- own effort, that of his party and everyone who supported it, that any subtle and insidious propaganda that encouraged class prejudices and cla«s hatreds should be met boldly with truth, so that reason and judgment inu-t prevail. ''Our children." lie said, "mn-t grow up unfettered and balanced. There will be even greater problems to be met in the future."

Outlining the National party's policy I with regard to transport. Mr. Hamilton I said that its aim would be to develop the spirit of co-operation within industry. The fundamental difference between the policy of the present (Jovernment and tho National party's policy was that, the latter would aim to give the greatest measure of freedom to nil operators in the industry consistent with adequate protection of public interest. An important part of the National party's policy, said Mr. Hamilton, was that, which placed emphasis on the small trader, 1 lie small fanner and the small shopkeeper, and there was no gainsaying the fact that the more jwojile who could be encouraged to make a home, or a farm or a business for themselves, the better. The National party, ho added, wit-* opposed to monopolistic control of am -ectii'ii of trade and industry. Country's Finances. Dealing with the country's finances, Mr. Hamilton proceeded strongly to criticise. the Government's increased ex|HMiditure over the last three years. He read a table showing that the total appropriations had increased from <100,000 ill 1&27-8 to £0.1,000,000 in l!>38-9, stating that this went to show huge financial requirements now needed to finance Governmental activities. The total money requirements had gone up by an average of over £10,000.000 a year in the last three yeans, and if this excessive, almost reckless, Government expenditure did not stir the people to take their politics seriously and throw the Government out he would be surprised.

The National party, he said, stood for reduction of taxation. The present Government would never let go any taxation, but the Notional party believed that the smallest amount of taxation possible should be collected consistent with the efficient carrying out of the proper functions of democratic government.

In conclusion, he said that the National party would legislate throughout on the basis of freedom of opportunity and justice for the individual and for his family.

"As Leader ol the National party I appeal to you all here," snid Mr. Hamilton, "and to those young and old listening in homes throughout New Zealand to provide it with the opportunity of restoring this nation's heritage."