NATIONALIST PARTY

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1936, Page 5

NATIONALIST PARTY

IN WAIRARAPA Leaders Address Meeting (Per Press Association). MASTER iON, October 12. At a largelv-attended meeting of the National Party here to-night Mr C. H. Weston, K.C., and Colonel largest, M.P.. were given a most friendIv and enthusiastic reception. Tho chairman, Air J. H. Irving, said that, though a start was made only six weeks ago, their organisation was already being extended in outlying parts of the electorate. Strong branches had .men formed in Eketahuna and Pongaroa and there were prospects of building up a very large membership in Alasterton. Mr Weston spoke briefly on the aims and hopes of the party, and was warmIv applauded. ' Colonel Hargest dealt at some length with' political questions of the day, and said the issue before the country was whether revolutionary socialism or individual freedom ami freedom of private enterprise were to obtain in New Zealand. The Opposition in the House was putting up a dogged, but at present hopeless, fight against' legislation for which the country would have to suffer. In less than one year of Labour rule, the Dominion had gone further in revolutionary socialism than anv European country, except Russia, hail gone in that time. The Government had broken promises regarding reduction of taxation, the exchange rate, and use of the public credit. It had gone to unheard of lengths in assuming dictatorial poyers, flatly inconsistent with democratic principles. Colonel Hargest said the policy of the National Party had yet to be determined. by its members, in conference. Its appeal was to young people who were prepared to fight revolutionary socialism. No generation of young New Zealanders could fall heirs to absolute security and prosperity. They must make these things for themselves. It was young people that tho National Party asked to come to its aid in making New Zealand ns good a country to live in as it had been.

Some sixty young and able men, he said, were needed to contest seats at the next election. Alembers of the Party in Parliament would combine with its members throughout the country in the selection of a leader of whom they could all be proud. There must be the closest liaison between their members in the remotest parts of electorates with headquarters in Wellington. and their party organisation must lie built up at all times, and not only on the eve of the election. The meeting was entirely unanimous and votes of thanks to the speakers were carried heartily bv acclamation.