THE NATIONAL PARTY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22073, 22 April 1937, Page 10

THE NATIONAL PARTY

LEADER REPLIES TO MR FRASER

SUCCESSFUL TOUR IN NORTH ISLAND

"The Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser) says our party is bankrupt; I hope he goes on believing it and acts accordingly," said the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, in an interview on his arrival from Wellington yesterday. Mr Hamilton said that since his election to the leadership of the National Party he had visited most of the electorates in the North Island and a number in the South. All of his meetings had been of a very friendly nature and well attended. Be was well pleased with the tour. He found that there was more interest in party politics at. this stage than he had ever seen before. His main work sq far, he said, had been to talk to his own-people rather than address public meetings, which he thought were better held later in the year. . . ' Mr Hamilton will remain in Canterbury, with Christchurch as his headquarters, until Saturday morning, when he will leave for Invercargiu. Yesterday he had a number of private interviews and was the guest of the Canterbury executive of the National Party at lunch. Last night he addressed a meeting of supporters at Leeston, and to-day he will address two meetings—one at. Racecourse Hill at 2.30 p.m., and the second at Rangiora at 8 p.m. To-morrow ne will give a luncheon address to businessmen m the city, and at 8 p.m. will address a meeting in the Rugby street schoolMr Hamilton will be in Invercargill for AnzacDay, and after that will probably make-a tour of Otago and Southland electorates. He intends to make a. tour of the Nelson, Marlborough, and Motueka electorates about the middle of next month.

MEETING OF LEESTON SUPPORTERS The Leader of the National Party Uhe Hon. Adam Hamilton) addressed about 200 supporters of the party at a meeting in the Leeston Town Hall last evening. Mr A. Johnston presided. Mr T. Miiliken, chairman of the Christchurch executive, also spoke. After questions had been answered, Mr Hamilton was thanked for his address. .-".'» RESOLUTION OF PAHIATUA MEETING (PBBSa ASBOCUTIOS TELEOUAM.) WELLINGTON. April 21. "The first duty of the Government is to cut down its own expenses," said Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P.. in addressing a large meeting at Pahiatua this evening. He criticised the present Government's legislation, which, he said. Jiad caused an increase in the cost ot living, and its means of combating this tendency. , ' ■. The meeting wa3 presided over by the Mayor (Mr J. D. Lawson). After the address. Mr Bodkin was accorded a vote of thanks. ■ The meeting also recorded its opposition to the "present Socialistic Government" and expressed confidence in the National Party. This motion was ried by an overwhelming majority.