POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1938, Page 6

POLITICAL

HON HAMILTON WELL RECEIVED

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

NEW PLYMOUTH, June 16. Hon. Adam Hamilton addressed a

largo meeting in New Plymouth tonight in the Ope>ra House, which was full, about thirteen hundred being present, while many hundreds were unable

to gain admission to the hall, some remaining outside to listen to a loudspeaker service. The Leader of the Opposition w'as given a very good hearing, and at the conclusion a vote of thanks to him and confidence in and support for his Party was carried by acclamation, with apparently only a small proportion of dissentients. Mr Hamilton referred to a reported statement by Hon. H. T. Armstrong that the Labour Government had not increased taxation, but that the yield has been greater because of the higher national income. Mr Hamilton quoted the Budget speech of Hon. W. Nash. He had said that to meet pensions increases, he would raise an additional million by income tax and the balance by land tax. Mr Armstrong’s statement was, therefore, incorrect. The Government had increased taxation. Mr Hamilton referred to the controversy over the closing of Post Office Savings Bank accounts while he was Postmaster-General. He said that Mr Savage had accepted his correction, blit Hon. F. Jones subsequently had taken the matter up. While he (Mr Hamilton) was travelling the country, lie had not access to all papers, but when he had an opportunity he would reply to Mr Jones on this matter. Mr Hamilton’s address followed the lines of those he had given in other centres, and he concluded by emphasising two words, “security” and “freedom, v as what the National Party stood for. Ho declared that the Government’s policy was bringing socialism, as an avowed object of Labour, nearer. He expressed his Party’s strong opposition to that policy and objective. He was gratified at the large attendance, because it showed people were taking their responsibilities keenly. "While people were interested, democratic government was safe. At a. later stage he said the Dominion was heading towards the totalitarian state. It was not one on the lines of Hitler or Mussolini, but on the lines of that of Stalin. MR ARMSTRONG AT TAIHAPE. TAIHAPE, June 16. The Minister for Labour (the Hon. H.-T. Armstrong) received a very en-1 thusiastic. welcome from a large crowd at the Town Hall last evening when he paid his first visit to Taihape as a Minister.

Mr Armstrong dealt mainly with how the Government was spending unemployment funds, and quoted figures to deny the Opposition’s statements about of '-uft^ra-ployed. l •*>* Mr Armstrong received a sympathetic hearing. with few interjections, and was loudly applauded.

A motion of confidence in the Government was enthusiastically endorsed by the meeting.

NATIONAL CANDIDATE FOR THAMES

THAMES, June 16

At a largely-attended meeting of delegates from all branches of the National Party throughout the Thames electorate, Mr W. A. Clark was selected as candidate for the party at the forthcoming election, subject to the approval of the Dominion council.

TO STAND AS NATIONALIST

GISBORNE. June 17

Subject to approval by the National Executive, Mr K. F. Jones has been selected as the National candidate to contest the Gisborne seat out of five nominees whose names were submitted to a ballot last evening. Mr Jones who is 35 years of age, is engineer to the Cook County Council. He is a son of the Mayor of Dargaville. .