LABOUR CHARGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 97, 24 April 1940, Page 10

LABOUR CHARGED.

"UNFAIR BROADCASTING." MR. HAMILTON'S CRITICISM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. "Democracy means that Parliament governs and that the |>eopl© have an opportunity to hear both sides of the story, whatever it might be," said the Hon. Adam Hamilton in addressing the annual conference of the Wellington division of the National party. Hamilton was criticising the action of the Government in not calling Parliament together for such a long period and for "its most undemocratic and unfair use of the broadcasting systems throughout that period." He referred to the regular series of caucuses that had been held by the Opposition ever since the House had been adjourned more than six montli3 ago. This form of intensifying consideration of the country's affairs had been both democratic and effective. It also demonstrated the splendid team spirit imbuing the National party in tile House. A vote of confidence in Mr. Hamilton as leader and in the work of his colleagues was carried by the conference. Mr. Cheviot Bell, who presided, said in his annual report that the major problem had now become the winning of the war. No internal problem could be even of significance compared with this. A united Empire or "My England right or wrong" must take precedence to-dav in all deliberations in a Dominion such as New Zealand, which claimed to be t loyal child of the Mother Country. The National party had recognised this and its response had been splendid. Referring to the death of the late Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, Mr. Bell said it was right that a tribute should be paid to "a game rlttle fighter who fought for years to get Labour into office. then to keep it there, and stalled off death to fight again for lils side." °