KEEN INTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 72, 26 March 1938, Page 11

KEEN INTEREST

POLITICAL AFFAIRS

MR. HAMILTON'S TOUR

The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton), after a strenuous campaigning tour both in the South Island and North Island, left last night for Invercargill, where he will remain for three weeks. Prior to leaving Wellington, Mr.. Hamilton stated that he was surprised at the interest in politics being displayed by all sections of the community. It was difficult to find halls large enough to accommodate the public desirous of attending the meetings addressed by him and by Mr. S. G. Holland, M.P. for Christchurch North, who accompanied him throughout his tour. "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 on up-to-date lines. On our. way from Wanganui to Masterton we called at Woodville, where a large flower show and bazaar had been organised by women supporters of the National Party. The enthusiasm was remarkable..

i "Our Masterton meeting followed a memorable one the previous night to [select delegates to represent the Masterton town branch at the selection meeting next week, when the 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 politics 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 loudspeaker system enabled the crowd to hear the speeches in the coolness of the new grandstand. The announcement that the Mayor of Hastings (Mr. G. A. Maddison) had been selected as the National Party's official candidate to contest the Hawke's Bay seat at the General Election was enthusiastically received.

"The public meeting at night was an event in the political life of Hastings. 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 loudspeaker system to those outside."

Mr. Hamilton concluded by saying that enthusiasm prevailed everywhere, and, although he was aware of the rapid growth of the party's organisation, 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 to Mr. Holland and himself.