The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1938. A FIGHTING LEADER

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 191, 11 May 1938, Page 10

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1938. A FIGHTING LEADER

No one who attended the meeting addressed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Adam Hamilton, last Monday evening, and few of the thousands who listened-in to his speech, could have failed to be impressed. At the close of the meeting the mover of a vote of thanks and confidence expressed the firm conviction that in Mr. Hamilton the country had opportunely found a strong and able leader, capable of guiding New Zealand through the greatest political crisis in its history. That conviction, we believe, will be endorsed to-day by many thousands of citizens who have viewed with the deepest anxiety and concern the encroachments already made, and still further threatened, against the liberties and freedom previously enjoyed by the people of this Dominion. Mr. Hamilton on Monday evening appeared to many in a new light. His ability has not been doubted; his earnestness and sincerity have never been questioned; the soundness of his judgment has been demonstrated during his years of public service; his fairness and honesty of purpose have been admitted by even his bitterest opponents. All these things and others were kndwn in his favour when he was chosen two years ago as the Leader of the National Party. The one doubt regarding him as-'a leader arose out of a certain diffidence on his own part; a disinclination for the limelight; a lack of self-assertive-ness. On Monday evening Mr. Hamilton removed that doubt, if it ever seriously existed. He showed those qualities of forceful leadership which the public have been looking and hoping for. No more searching and penetrative criticism of the present Government’s policy of Socialism and extravagance, and broken promises, and attacks on individual freedom has previously been presented from the public platform. It was a fighting speech; positive, and uncompromising, but free from exaggeration; and definitely constructive. No one could question the earnestness and sincerity of the speaker, nor could anyone fail to perceive the. extreme fairness with which he presented the facts in support of his case. MJany of the older generation will recall the early days of Mr. R. J. Seddon and Mr. W. F. Massey, when each in turn stepped for the first time into the office of leader of their respective parties. Each in his early days of office was criticised and condemned for inexperience or lack of the qualities of leadership, but each lived to confound his critics and to rank among the great ones in our political life. Mr. Hamilton, since he became Leader of the National Party, has, like these illustrious predecessors, developed unexpected qualities of leadership. He may never be a fluent, easy platform speaker, but he possesses the qualities of mind and character to inspire confidence in his integrity and judgment; he is able and experienced in political affairs; and he has shown that he can and will fight to the finish for the cause he supports and leads. There is a stiff fight ahead if the menace of Socialism which has spread through this Dominion is to be destroyed. Mr. Hamilton is showing that he is a worthy leader to folllow in that fight. , ’ ■