THE NATIONALIST CLUB

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22800, 28 August 1939, Page 13

THE NATIONALIST CLUB

OPENING OF NEW PREMISES STUDY OF POLITICS TO BE ENCOURAGED \ . CEREMONY PERFORMED BY MR S. G. HOLLAND, M.P. "To many, this occasion means the achievement of the impossible,” said Mr S. G. Holland, M.P., when he was declaring open on Saturday night the new rooms of the Canterbury Nationalist Club' in Bates’ building. In opening the rooriis, Mr Holland deputised for the leader of the National Party (the Hon. Adam Hamilton), who was prevented by the international situation from leaving Wellington. The president of the club (Dr. John Guthrie) was in the chair. There was a large attendance, the accommodation in the spacious lounge being inadequate. Although Mr Hamilton was unable to be present, the speech he was to have made in opening the premises was read by Dr. Guthrie. The club had had its inspiration in its president, said Mr Holland. But Dr. Guthrie could not have been so successful without the willing help of his colleagues, and together they had achieved a notable success. The rooms were being opened free of debt, and if the club was supported with enthusiasm it would have a great future.

It was obvious that there would be plenty of scope log the club. Enterprise was being threatened by promises of benevolence. To-day two per-

sons in every Jive depended on the State, and one day the people would have to realise that it would be better for New Zealand to restore the respectability of self-reliance.

New Zealand faced an economic crisis, the solution of which demanded study and research. • There was too much loose thinking in New Zealand, and the club could do very valuable work in promoting logical thinking. The ..club could always rely on Parliamentary members to give any help that might be sought to develop the discussions that would be organised in the club.

Work for the. Future "The job of the next government is not going to be a sinecure,’’ added Mr Holland. ■ “Some ' of the things that will have to be' done will greatly test your loyalty. There has been a softening in the people of New Zealand, because they have had lots of other people’s money handed out. > But that cannot continue.” Dr, Guthrie, who introduced the speakers of the evening, said that the suggestion that' the club should be formed had been made In. February, and there was now a membership ■ of more than 300, which .included a large number of life members. There were now excellent facilities for the social branch of the activities of the party: and to make the club a pronounced success there was needed only an increase of membership. ' He hoped, he said, that the membership would be at least doubled. The present membership of more than 300 was not enough to make the club the success it was hoped it would be.

. "Thinking Politically” “It is our wish to educate the young people into the habit of thinking politically,” commented Dr,' Gutfyrie. ■ To that end a syllabus of addresses and debates had been arranged.

There had been many difficulties in forming the.club,'but no difficulty had been too big. It was hoped to provide for expansion. Dr. Guthrie added. “I would be only too happy if we found in four or five years that these rooms are not- big enough,” he said. Mr F. W. Doidge, National Party member of Parliament for Tauranga, paid a tribute to the leader of the party. Mr Hamilton, he said, was the ideal leader, for whom all members of the party had a real and deep affection. Ultimately New Zealand would have to face a very difficult situation, and the people would recognise that Mr Hamilton was the man to lead them out of their troubles. He hoped that the club would achieve all its objectives. He was certain , that it could do an immense amount of valuable work. Others who spoke commending the enterprise of the club and wishing it success were Messrs H. S. S. Kyle and A. N. Grigg, National Party members of Parliament for Riccarton and MidCanterbury respectively. A . programme of, music was given during the evening, which concluded with a dance. Messrs J. H. Cocks and R Allison sang duets, their accompanist being Mr D. Davis, and music was played by George. Wright's orchestra.