Hamilton By-election

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28887, 6 May 1959, Page 9

Hamilton By-election

Sir.—So the status quo remains, but are we committed to the “Parliamentary revue’’ and cheap vaudeville of the last session? Parliament is an assembly of representatives elected to govern a country. New Zealand’s greatest need is for statesmen who will govern firmly, fairly, courageously and. surely, courteously. The progress of our land will not be accomplished by tawdry political auction markets, cheap back-bit-ing, and slavish obedience to the party line. Congratulations to Mr Adams-Schneider. To him is entrusted a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to prove that statesmanship, like chivalry, is not dead.—Yours, etc., • D. F. POWER. Southbrook, May 5, 1959.

Sir.—Concerning Mr Holyoake’s statement about “honest politics.” why, in October, 1957, when the Secretary of the Treasury sent two urgent letters to the Holyoake Cabinet drawing attention to the drastic state of overseas funds, did they refuse to act? The Labour Government acted immediately it was elected, and its actions have been endorsed, in principle, by all economists taking part in economic surveys in monthly broadcasts. Would it be that, believing they would be defeated at the 1957 elections, as stated by their deputy-leader, Mr Marshall, they would bring financial embarrassment to the incoming Government? Was not this placing “honest party politics” and political expediency before the welfare of the country? Would Mr Holyoake suggest that the Macmillan Government resign because of the results of numerous by-elections with more disastrous conclusions than Hamilton.—Yours etc., W. DEAVOLL. Heathcote, May 5, 1959.

Sir.—The fact that the electors gave Mr Adams-Schneider an alltime high vote is in itself sufficient reply to your correspondents. Let us remember that he obtained figures higher than did Mrs Ross—as she then was—a woman whose work and memory we deeply respect. And those were days of high and easy prosperity. I think it was the late Mr Savage who said that if Labour went out of office it would be the workers themselves who would put them out. They would apparently be prepared to do that at the moment. —Yours, etc.. MERIVALE. May 5, 1959.