NATIONAL PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 77, 1 April 1939, Page 10

NATIONAL PARTY

A LIVING FORCE

CAMPAIGN FOR FAIR PLAY

MR. HAMILTON'S TOUR

"I am convinced that if. there were an election tomorrow the enthusiasm for the National Party's aims and ideals would sweep the country," declared the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) yesterday on his return from a tour of the South Auckland district. He said that the National Party had welded into a living political force the strength of which was never more forcibly demonstrated than during his tour. The passing popularity of something for nothing and easy-money doctrines, was feeling the strain today, and thousands were flocking to the National cause. "Facts allowed to come out and actions taken since the election have given the people bitter tastes of. the legislative dictation and regimentation, and I am sure in the next few months the people of New Zealand will have to pay very dearly for innumerable further examples, of extravagant, classconscious government," said Mr. Hamilton. "I have been continuing my campaign for fair play in government, and I am convinced that if there was an election tomorrow the enthusiasm for the National Party's aims and ideals would sweep the country. lam determined to carry on the task on behalf of my party in championing the people of every section of the community, who are demanding equity in government. When the National Party is returned to power, it will legislate for the community as a whole, and not for any one section of it. "No Government in history has been more consistently expert than the Labour Government today in saying one thing and doing another, meanwhile hoping to cloud major issues by the partial suppression of free speech and by criticism charged with abuse and misrepresentation. Quite recently we have had the classic example of Mr. Savage announcing that there would be no obligation on anyone 60 years of age to cease work and accept the £1 10s a week from Social Security. Immediately after this, the Government announced that up to 4000 "men 60 years of age and over would be put off Scheme No. 13 on to the Social Security payment of £1 10s.

EQUITABLE GOVERNMENT.

"The insincerity of the whole position will ultimately be revealed, and then there is no doubt what will be the decision of our people. In the meantime I am determined to play to the full my part as Leader of the National Party, the party that is seeking good and equitable government for all."

Mr. Hamilton said that he had just completed a tour in which he visited Gisborne, Matawai, Opotiki, Whakatane, Rotorua, Hamilton, Morrinsville, Matamata, Tauranga, Paeroa, Te Awamutu, Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, and Taumarunui. In each of those centres he addressed large meetings comprised of members of committees of the various electorate branches, and in each crowded meetings were representative of the whole area affected. Many travelled long distances to be present. A feature of the tour was a gathering of nearly 2000 at a picnic rally of the party in the Raglan. electorate held in Hamilton a week ago, and a large crowd packed the spacious new club-room headquarters of the National Party, which he opened last Saturday night. During the trip he visited many places in which he inspected land and road development work and he also visited mills and factories where they presented phases of industry with which he had not previously been conversant. "I found everywhere that there is a general readiness to take the question of good government seriously," Mr. Hamilton added. "That readiness has never been more apparent and our people are in good heart."