ELECTION ISSUES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 50, 27 August 1938, Page 10

ELECTION ISSUES

NATIONAL PARTY'S AIMS

FINANCIAL STABILITY

THE SOCIAL PLAN

Issues on which the General Election will be fought, and some of the aitms of the National Party, were outlined by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, at a meeting of party supporters at Takapuna on Thursday, states the "New Zealand Herald." There was an attendance of about 300 people. "The Labour Party will try to make the fight between us at the election one on social services," Mr. Hamilton said. "The challenge between the Labour Party and us is not on social service; it is on the economic system. We say that there are evils to be removed, but do not overthrow the system that has served us well. They would overthrow the system. That will be the fight. "We are making provision for social security; is there any other security we need?" Mr. Hamilton asked, later in his address. "We want to see that we have financial security that will sustain it. They would like to break down our arrangements. lam sure that is their objective, and we have to remember it. You may think that I am being too hard, but that, is my honest opinion. The point is, can we afford it? "We have also to have our defence security. (Applause.) Are we sufficiently defended against the aggressors of the world? Voices: No. I Mr. Hamilton said he was a pacifist by nature, and did not like war, but the Dominion had to play an important part in the defence of the Empire. PENSIONS AND HEALTH. "We want to keep our Investments secure," he continued. "How about the security of them? Are we keeping these people secure? Is there any better class than those who have made their own provision and laid by something for their old age? I am not going to say that investments are not secure, but the purchasing power of investments is gradually diminishing. We want to keep our economy balanced. "What is our alternative?" he said. "Superannuation? Yes, it is important. There are many not already provided for. Let us provide for them by compelling them to come in on a social scheme State-assisted. Let us initiate a worth-while scheme. "A health scheme? Yes, there is a health scheme. It is right that the taxpayer should provide a free service for people who cannot provide it for themselves. The Social Security Bill provides a free service for the man with £10,000 a year. The problem is to provide a social service free for those who need it, and we proposed to do so." The Bill provided not a free medical service to those who needed it, but a partial service to everybody, he continued. The dispute between the Government and the National Party was not on superannuation or health services. "We are just as humanitarian, but we believe in sound finances," he added. The National Party stood also for the freedom of the individual and for the system of private enterprise, which had built up the country, he said. Labour said that private enterprise was wrong, and that the State should own the lot. Labour wanted State Socialism, but the National Party would resist it with all its strength. "We have the best standard of living in the world in New Zealand, and Socialism has not given it to us," Mr. Hamilton said. "Today the system that has given it to us is challenged. "The National Party is truly national," he concluded, "with business men, professional men, farmers,, and working men, and believe me there are many working people in our ranks. They are joining in hundreds and thousands, and, like the British working man, they know what is good for them."