NATIONAL PARTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 228, 25 August 1938, Page 8

NATIONAL PARTY

ATTITUDE EXPLAINED. WAGES AND DEFENCE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 24. The attitude of the National Party toward two major matters of public interest, wages and defence, was discussed by the Leader of the Opposition (Hon. A. Hamilton) in reply to questions during an interview to-day. “The rights of the worker are just as sacred to me as are those of anybody else,” Mr Hamilton said. “We approve and support Labour unions and the right of workers to form, support and join their unions. When elected we will retain _ the compulsory Arbitration Court, which will fix the hours and wages of industrial workers. We will maintain the wages of public servants.” In discussing defence, Mr Hamilton said the National Party took the view that, while approving of the principles and ideals of the League of Nations, a well-prepared and strongly-defended British Empire was the greatest security for world peace. “New Zealand must do her share in Empire defence,” he said. “The same applies to the defence of New Zealand. We must have a well-organised and well-balanced defence system which would give a sense of security to our own country against any aggressive nation. “We are determined to have sufficient men to protect the country against invasion,” Mr Hamilton added. ‘The mere existence of this force would mean that no one would attempt to invade us. lam satisfied that if the matter is properly handled the necessary force could be obtained on a voluntary basis.” AUCKLAND SEATS. NATIONAL CANDIDATES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 24. Two names had been received when nominations closed for the National Party’s candidature for the Auckland Central seat, held by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry). The nominees are Mr F. H. Hildreth, for some time until his nomination organiser for the party in the electorate, and Mr C. R. Dodd, who stood for the same seat in the Democrat Party’s interests in 1935. Preliminary arrangements for the holding of a selection ballot will be made. The name of a sixth nominee for the National Party’s candidature for the Auckland East seat, at present held for Labour by Mr F.. W. Schramm, was announced to-day to be Mr J. Terry, a solicitor, of Auckland. When the nominations closed on' Saturday, the names of onlv five, Miss E. Melville, Captain Judson, V.C., Rev. W. C. Wood and Messrs H. T. Merritt and B. Kingston, were announced. A selection ballot for the candida.ture will be-held on September 8. THE AVON SEAT. WELLINGTON, Aug. 25. After an association extending over many years with the Labour Party and the trade union movement, Mr Hiram Hunter has now been selected as the National Party candidate for the Avon seat, held by Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Mr Hunter was unanimously elected by the Avonside electorate committee, but the selection has yet to be endorsed by the headquarters of the party.