VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 310, 28 November 1936, Page 9

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.

SUPPORT FOR MR HAMILTON. TRIUMPH AT AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 27. A genuine personal triumph was scored to-day by the Leader of the Opposition (Hon. A. Hamilton) in his meeting with the Auckland provincial executive of the National Political Party. Only a fortnight ago the Auckland executive passed a motion which was tantamount to a vote of no-confi-dence in Mr Hamilton as the leader of the party, but to-day the majority of its members were given their first opportunity of meeting Mr Hamilton personally. and hearing his views on the political situation. The result was a vote of confidence and an enthusiastic declaration of loyalty to the new leader. At the conclusion of the meeting. which lasted for the greater part of the day. the following motion was passed unanimously: “Having heard Hon. Adam Hamilton when he gave the Auckland divisional committee compete information regarding his selection as leader, the Auckland executive now withdraws its previous opposition and endorses his , appoint ment as leader of the party.” Delegates who attended the meeting stated subsequently that Mr Hamilton had won the whole executive completely to his side. He had impressed everyone by his straightforward manner, absolute sincerity; and complete grasp of the whole political . situation, and members who had previously criticised his selection on the ground of former party afflictions now recognised that their apprehensions were groundless. The chairman of the Auckland provincial executive (Mr Lisle Alderton) presided at tli6 meeting, which commenced in the morning and continued throughout the afternoon.'The discussion was notable for its freedom and frankness, and from all accounts Mr Hamilton dealt in forceful mariner with recent suggestions regarding a possible division in the ranks of the Opposition. He stressed the vjew that at least 90 per cent, of the people opposed to the Government were in favour of a United front in the fight against Socialism, and his declaration of his own personal attitude won for liis the complete support of the ingIt is understood that the question of former party affliations was discussed at length, and that it was pointed out that, although Reform members were in a pronounced majority in the Coalition Government from 1931 to 1935, they had never objected to the leadership of Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes nor to the appointment of Hon. R. Masters as Leader of the Legislative Council. Several speakers stressed the fact that recognition of this fact should allay criticism of the selection of a former Reform member as Leader of the Opposition, particularly as Mr Hamilton himself was determined to lead a united party in Parliament. The extent to which Mr Hamilton scored a personal triumph can be gauged from the fact that two members of the executive who had previously opposed his leadership moved and seconded the motion endorsing his appointment. Mr Hamilton will meet the junior section of the National Party to-mor-row, and will leave in the afternoon for Rotorua and the East Coast. He will also visit Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa on his way to Wellington, where he will address a combined meeting of supporters next Thursday and make a statement to the country summing up the results of his tour.