NATIONAL PARTY

Matamata Record, Volume XX, Issue 2021, 30 March 1939, Page 4

NATIONAL PARTY

MATAMATA MEETING f

Visit of Hon. A. Hamilton’ TTfce Hon. Adam Hamilton, M.P.*. Leader of the Opposition, accompanied By Mr. W. S. Goosman, M.P.* for Waikato, visited Matamata on Mbn* day afternoon and met representa* fives «f* district committees in the Rialto. The gathering was most sucpcessful, and Mr. Hamilton was greeted! with sheers on arrival and whem leaving; “

The oEtfectf of the gathering was; to; enable Mr; Hamilton to come into * close confect with executive members off the- Matamata branches of the National 1 -Party, and in this direction’ it was - eminently successful. Over 60' committeemen and their wives were present, Mr. A. Wallace being in the' chair.

Mix J - . P. Vesper made a speech of welbome, following which Mr. Hamilton’ addressed- those present.

A'n- apology was received from Mr. F. W. Doidge, M.P. for Tauranga, wlio' it was stated is making a satis- * factory recovery from liis recent severe illness. In Mr. Doidge’s absence- Mr. Goosman piloted the Leader of the Opposition through this portion of the Tauranga electorate. ‘‘ The enthusiasm and determination -of members and supporters of ** the National Party has been an inspiration to me throughout my present tour of the North Island,” said Mr. Hamilton. “We are fighting fora 4 great cause and a great ideal —good’ Government for all instead of classconscious Government. To some thespending eat, drink and be merry type of policy is popular; but I havealways found our people ultimatelyloyal to broad and far-sighted development in which selfish motives are abandoned for community and national motives. By this token I know that the National Party’s cause is on a crusade to-day which will finally be triumphant.” The meeting was for supporters only, so could not be fully reported. *

Mr. Hamilton said that although the National Party had not won the election, it had made a very big advance, having gained six seats. The new men were practical and very able, and .their weight was eo- gp ing to be felt in the coming period. He did not expect a cause to be won in a day or without hard work; but he was sure that more and more people were beginning, to realise to- 4 day two facts: first, that the National Party was what its name implied, a party for all people which would legislate for all people regardless of class; and,;second, that the ; National Party's organisation, unity and militancy made it the greatest « living force in politics in New Zealand to-day. “All the abuse in the world and all the repetition of * depression propaganda ’• will not shake my faith or * the faith of my people," Mr. Hamil- f ton added. ** Everywhere I have been I have had gatherings the like of which have never previously been experienced. The country Is really aroused and X am retdy to lead it. I surely do not have to apologise for hitting straight from the shoulder at Labour’s misrepresentation and its * propaganda of half-truths. I do not have to apologise, either, for being one of the people who earned a stake in the country and who cherishes the country’s traditions of the rule of reason rather than the rule of hypocritical sentiment. Make no mistake, I am as humanitarian as anyone else and am not afraid of my. responsibilities today in a time of grave crisis.” *

“I. could be angry if I was not amused at all the talk of building a' nation to-day,” Mr. Hamilton added with a smile; “ What do some people imagine; we have been doing in the ’ past-—even before 1 ’ many 61 our present; agitating Labour politicians [ came to New Zealand. W© are not Uojpg to Ipse what we worked so hard for without a mighty battle.**

Mr. B. C. Taylor closed the meet- ' ing with a brief speech, conveying thanks to and confidence in ! Mr. Hamilton, which j sentiments were f heartily endorsed by those present.