OPPOSITION FIGHT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20066, 12 October 1939, Page 14

OPPOSITION FIGHT

PARTY LEGISLATION LEADER’S EXPLANATION CO-OPERATION IN WAR SOCIALISATION RESISTED (Pci- Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, this day. “Some of the people may be wondering, seeing that the Opposition has offered the Government full cooperation during the war', why it so strenuously opposed some of the measures brought forward by the Government, especially during the latter days of the session,” said the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, in a statement yesterday. “Members of the National Party will play their full part in the war efforts in whatever capacity they may be called upon to serve,” he said. “In its task of running the country at war the Government continues to have the full co-operation of the Opposition—-co-operation that has been freely offered by the Opposition and accepted by the Government from the period immediately before war was formally declared.” However, the extensive overlapping in recent political developments in the House of Representatives of what might be termed ordinary party legislation, much of it of a major and farreaching character, and the war emergency legislation, made it imperative and desirable that be should make a clear statement on behalf of the Opposition to the people of the Dominion. Extraordinary and farreaching powers had been taken by the Government with such measures as the Reserve Bank amendment, taxing acts, and marketing amendment. Such extreme steps along the road to socialism in this. Dominion could not go unchallenged. None of those measures could be justified as war emergency measures and, in the opinion of the Opposition, their effects would be most injurious and damaging. Exploiting the Situation “None can deny that these measuses were not free from either the fact or the suspicion that the Government was exploiting the situation to further its own ideas of socialisation,” said Mr. Hamilton. “None can deny either that they were introduced without the full co-operation and approval of business and producing interests, and without recognition of the full experience and knowledge of those interests. “In the House on these occasions we fought every inch of the way, and I was proud of our team during the prolonged resistance put up against these proposals as they were forced hurriedly through Parliament in the dying stages of an extraordinary session. Throughout all-night sittings magnificent resistance was maintained, and members of my team —and I would particularly mention new members who strengthened the attack — fought vigorously and effectively.” As to the war work, he knew the people needed no urging for them to play a full part cheerfully in carrying the Dominion through the hour of trial and danger. To this extent the Government had the unreserved co-operation of everyone, supporter and opponent alike. “It cannot be made too clear, however, that the co-operation of the Opposition does not extend into the normal political field,” added Mr. Hamilton. “The legislative developments of last week have shown that our people must be more than ever vigilant. One gratifying feature is that Parliament should adjourn and not close down, for Parliament to be ‘on call' is sensible and desirable.”