MARKED INTEREST IN POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 154, 26 March 1938, Page 12

MARKED INTEREST IN POLITICS

All Sections Of People OPPOSITION LEADER’S OBSERVATIONS Surprise at the marked interest in politics being displayed by all sections of the people was expressed by the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, interviewed on bis return to Wellington yesterday. He has just concluded a speaking tour embracing the Wanganui, Masterton and Hastings districts. In each of the centres visited, be said, it was impossible to find halls large enough to accommodate the people desirous of attending. Wherever possible, loud speakers were installed to allow the crowds outside to listen to the speeches. At each centre, both he and Mr. S. G. Holland, M.P. for Christchurch North, who accompanied him throughout the tour, received a splendid bearing. There were always sufficient interjections to make the meetings interesting, but never too many to prevent everything said being heard.

"There is no doubt,” said Mr. Hamilton that the people are rapidly awakening to the perils of the Government’s policy of Socialism. The phenomenal growth of the National Party everywhere —particularly among the younger people—indicates that they, too. are alive to the dangers of the present Government's policy of State Socialism and regimentation. “Another development is the intense interest being taken in politics by women. At each place I visited, women’s committees are being organised ou up-to-date lines. On our way from Wanganui to Masterton, we called at Woodville where a large Bower show and bazaar had been organised by women supporters of the National Party. - The enthusiasm was remarkable.

"Our Mgsterton meeting followed a memorable one. the previous night to select delegates to represent the Masterson town branch at the selection meeting next week, when tbe official candidate is to be chosen. Our public meeting was delayed for some time while people were accommodated on the stage behind the speakers; even then, there was a crowd outside which listened through open windows and doorways.”

An event perhaps unique in New Zealand polities was seen on Thursday afternoon at the Hastings racecourse, where a gymkhana was attended by some 3000 National Party supporters. A programme of events went through without a hitch. A loud-speaker system enabled the crowd to hear the speeches in tbe coolness of the new grandstand. The announcement that the mayor of Hastings, Mt. G. A. Maddison, had been selected as the NationaliParty’s official candidate to contest the Hawke’s Bay seat at the general election was enthusiastically received. The crowd sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

The public meeting at night was an event, in the political life of Hastings. x The hall was packed to the doors, several hundred listeners occupied the balcony outside the hall, while a further crowd in the street listened to the speeches which were transmitted over a loud-speaker system to those outside.

Enthusiasm prevailed everywhere, and, though he was aware of the rapid growth of the party’s organisation. Mr. Hamilton declared that he had not expected to find such public interest so long before a general election. He desired to thank the public for its courteous reception of Mr. Holland and himself.