Hamilton By-Election

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28888, 7 May 1959, Page 3

Hamilton By-Election

Sir, —Any ' Government which commits political suicide in an honest endeavour to act for the good of the country is surely more valuable than one which would risk precipitating the country into further difficulties merely to pamper its adherents. The results of the Hamilton byelection have hardly been necessary to predict the Government’s defeat in the next election, but it is only a pity that this is the price they must pay for pursuing wholeheartedly their objects of full employment and economic stability. Our Ministers are backed by capable economic advisers and we ought to assume that only those steps which were absolutely necessary have been taken. He whose pocket is adversely affected will always squeal and register his displeasure at polling time, but if the policies of each party were considered in a disinterested manner, an elector must surely see which party is more fit to govern this country. —Yours, etc., J. M. NICHOLS. May 5, 1959.

Sir, —I see Mr Holyoake Is pleased with the by-election. So he should be, seeing he told all his friends to vote. It is easy to see why Labour did not vote, as they knew if once National got back in the country would be in a worse state than before. I couldn’t imagine Mr Holyoake saying how pleased he was when Labour won. It has been a sore point ever since and made him spiteful and disappointed. A depression was waiting round the corner, and Mr Holyoake made a lot of promises, too, but didn’t get the chance to use them. All his cry is, “Go to the country.” What a man to have at the head of the National Government. Hurt pride is a curse in any government.—Yours, etc., BROWNED OFF. May 6, 1959.