The Press MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1937. The National Party

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22017, 15 February 1937, Page 8

The Press MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1937. The National Party

In a statement made on the day that he was appointed leader of the National party, the Hon. Adam Hamilton said very wisely that one of the first tasks of the party must be to enunciate its policy. It must be regretted that Mr Hamilton has now gone back on his own advice. After a meeting of the Dominion council of the party in Wellington a few days ago he urged the need for "welding all groups representing "the more responsible vote in town and " country into one party " and urged a " broad " tolerance " in view of the fact that " the shap"ing of a policy to suit all the groups . . . . " would be difficult." A year ago, when there was still some doubt about the real nature of the Government's intentions and when the Opposition forces were still disorganised by the shock of the general election, there was some excuse for an attitude of caution. But now that the Government has put through a large instalment of its legislative programme and now that the National party has organised itself in the electorates, lack of policy becomes a grave disadvantage. What is in Mr Hamilton's mind, perhaps, is the possibility that a declaration of policy will alienate certain groups now within the National party and lead to the formation of those minority parties which so often weaken the non-Labour vote in an election. But that is a risk which has to be faced and will certainly not be eliminated by keeping the policy issue in the background. A unity achieved by the expedient of avoiding the discussion of' vital problems is a unity which will vanish as soon as it is subjected to strain. By declaring unequivocally what principles and methods of government his party supports and what its views are on the more important political issues facing the country, Mr Hamilton may lose the party a few members whose support would not in any case be worth much; but he will also rally tc his support the many thousands of men and women who, although they do not support the Labour party, look in vain for an alternative political philosophy. This is not an age which takes kindly to political negations; it is an age which seeks courageous and definite leadership. And if the National party in New Zealand is not prepared to provide that leadership it will soon find that other organisations will emerge which are prepared to meet the need. Moreover, those who control the National party should remember that, whether or not they consider it expedient to produce a complete policy at 'the present, time, they have a duty to declare themselves-on certain issues which are of immediate and pressing importance. In a fev weeks the Prime Minister will leave New Zealand to attend an Imperial Conference, the decisions of which will determine the development and the policies of the British Commonwealth for many years to come. The attitude of the Government to some of the questions which wili be discussed at the conference leaves much to be desired, and it is essential that before the Prime Minister departs he should know, the . views of the opposition on Empire migration, Empire trade, defence, and foreign policy...'