The National Party

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 47, 19 November 1936, Page 13

The National Party

Sir, —I have read tjie further letter of "New Zealand for New’ Zealanders” in your issue of November 17 with interest. His evident energy is pleasing. But it seems to me that he is anxious to go ahead too fast.

The longest session but one in the history of this country has only just closed. Surely Mr. Hamilton and the other members of the Opposition have fairly earned a rest for a while, both for the sake of their health and to pick up the threads of their private affairs. Moreover, to frame a policy just noiq would only be to beat the air. No number of Opposition policies to-day can prevent the Socialists from driving us to “fatal economic consequences.” They are doing it every day. They will continue to do it until they are forced at last to face the electors, who are now realising in daily increasing numbers that there is a remarkably wide difference between Socialist pre-election pledges and Socialist postelection performance of those pledges. I hope that when Mr. Hamilton and his colleagues have had a deserved rest they will busy themselves not so much with preparing a policy for present and premature publication, as with building up a really up-to-date organisation in every electorate that will ensure the triumph of their policy at the polls. A letter from another correspondent a few weeks ago complained that Mr. Hamilton had no “punch.” But this view hardly takes sufficient account of the fact that hitherto Mr. Hamilton has only been a follower and not a leader. He surely should be allowed time to adapt himself to his new position, for no new saddle is comfortable at first. That he will need “punch” later and and clear, firm, and unqualified speech is beyond doubt, and I believe he has it in him to rise to the occasion.—l am, etc., REFORMER. Wellington, November 17.