NATIONAL PARTY INTERESTS AT FEILDING

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 39, 16 February 1938, Page 3

NATIONAL PARTY INTERESTS AT FEILDING

Big Gathering at Garden Party

APPEAL TO ELECTORS BY HON. A, HAMILTON

Between 500 and 600 electors accepted the invitation of the women’s organisation of the National Political Party in the Feilding district to attend the I garden party held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. J. Levett, “Wichnor, ” Ranfurly avenue, yesterday afternoon. Although overcast and rather humid, rain fortunately held off and the gathering was a memorable one as indicative of. the interest in the country’s political life. The organisation was in charge of Mrs. J. Williamson, president of the Women’s Organisation of the National Political Party and supporting her was a very large committee of ladies representative of Feilding and district. Mr. A. Campbell, chairman of the National Party’s organisation for the Manawatu electorate, said that he haa very great pleasure on behalf of the women’s organisation in the party in asking those present to co-operate ib enjoying themselves. All present, he felt, were aware of the vital forces of this organisation which had set itself the task of making an outstanding success of the afternoon and lie was satisfied that that had been achieved, fie gratefully acknowledged the help given by Mr. and Mrs. Levett, who had so willingly offered the use of their beautiful grounds for the gathering. “The very best interests of the Dominion 's welfare are wrapped up in the policy of the National Party, ” concluded Mr. Campbell, in formally introducing the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P.

Mr. Cobbe said that his duties were brief and pleasant; he had but to-de-clare the party open. He went on to pay a tribute to the women’s organisation and offered his congratulations to and her committee for the outstanding success of the gathering. Their organising powers would undoubtedly play a big part in the next election and in this connection it was of interest to note that in England the whole of the election organisation was done by women while a woman acted as secretary. He concluded by expressing thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Levett and formally declaring the gathering open.

The Hon. Adam Hamilton, leader of the National Party, was cordially greeted by the large gathering and briefly introduced by Mr. Campbell, who said: "We take off cur hats to the men in the last Parliament who did their duty in the interests and welfare of this Dominion.” (Applause.)

Opening his remarks, the speaker said that it was very pleasant for him to meet supporters of the party under such ideal surroundings. It was wise that the people should meet at such gatherings because he believed that it was essential that people should get to know each other as intimately as possible. 1 However much the feeling to retire ; possessed one it was necessary for those in the front rank of public life to meet j the people and their supporters. In so j far as the National Party was coneerucd it was essential for him to get about j the country in order to see that the (people were properly organised to put 1 up a really effective fight, j “I think I can say that the National j Party organisation is better throughout the Domiuion to-day than it has ever he continued, “and I say that ;we are entitled to your support and assistance in the cause we represent.” 'After four years of the slump, he con- ' linued, tho National Party had become unpopular; the people had become tired and wanted a change, and in making that change they quite properly did it completely. To-day the Labour Party ruled the country and he would say that they Tuled it constitutionally. That party had won the election not so very much by the attractiveness of any promises made as by the lack of cohesion , on the part of the National Party. “Our [lack of cohesion rather than the people of New Zealand placed Labour on the .treasury benches and we want to see in .this serious business of Government that we do not allow this to occur again. We are obliged to take the position seriously now. This country, I think you should know, is now a full-

grown unit of the British Empire—tho co-equal of Britain herself with full status of self -government. Wo have our own King and Queen; the first we have had in our short history, and it therefore behoves us to take charge of ourselves and see that we pursue tho policy that has woe. our position, built up by those who hove gone and who gave us our great traditions and our heritage. We have inherited a wonderful country. —Look at it Where will you find the equal in the world? We can boast of the best standard of living of all parts of the world, and that has come to us by hard effort, energy and enterprise. Are we going to allow all of that to slip I think it is slipping somewhat, and if we do not take a hold of ourselves we will find ourselves in trouble. “Responsible people visiting these shores to-day do not” continued the speaker, 1 ‘spi?ak of us as they used to. Our praises were once continually sung by those who were qualified to express an opinion ori our country but to-day all we hear is that Zealand is passing through a new experiment. We have to play our part to win back those once high opinions. We believe in democratic government; we stand for the people’s rule and wo must see that the people do mite. The Labour Government we have occupies three-quarters of the House but with only 46 per cent. of the total vote recorded. That is not majority rul(». If we cannot organise and fight an I have a straight-out contest we will not have any cause for complaint if we lose. “Tho people wanted a change last time and 1 think that they want a change this; time,” continued Mr. Hamilton. ‘ ‘ There is that feeling about. Our heritage and standard oi living should not bo trifled with and perhaps lost in the end. We have not only got our material heritage.but our spiritual heritage—our freedom and tuat is what is slipping. Wo have long that freedom—living our lives as we wished—but that is going. Wo must take a look at our public duty. You might think that it is Farliainent that governs this country, but in the long run it is the xmoplo who really govern and unless the people sec that reasonable and sane control is exercised democracy will break down. We have to be serious about our job of politics. Une of the last Bills we I>assed in the j late session was that containing tho authorities for the spending of public money—the Appropriation Bill. Embodied in that Bill was an expenditure of £54,000,000. Parliament needed that—we could not stop it. Ten years ago the sum was £30,000,000 and three years ago £31,000,000 and now it is £54,000,000. This huge sum from taxation and borrowed money is too much to handle by those not trained or experienced in the handling of such vast sums. .L am not going to criticise personally, but I think it is a vast sum for men inexperienced to be handling. “The Labour Party was extremely lucky. No party ever experienced better luck. They came into powei just as the slump was over, with none of the worries that faced tne National Party, who at one period of the depression faced a deficit of £8,000,000. These people came in with abundant money at their disposal and they have had a wonderful run, forgetting that when the lasi Government went out it left tho country in a very strong position—better t han any other country in the British Umpire. ‘ * What we nave got to do is to see that wo put unto power people who can handle tlie job of fcjtate. Wo have had it in the past and it is the hands of the electors to see that experienced and trained men are returned to power. It is wonder: :'ul the number of people who are not ;satisiied with tho situation to-day. The . Labour Party are asking you to spend more than you have got. These people believe in spending; they don’t believe in saving and I might go as far as saying that they consider saving a crime. Our way was to speud right, otherwise we would not have our high standard of living. That is one o f the virtues we have built up. “We have to take count of our public duty md of our political duty. We must see that we return at least 45 members to our side of the House and all of those qualified for the job should come forward and offer their services. A;ob in the next Parliament will not be an easy one. The last Government came in and were fortunate with the slump over and everv Department in credit. What will be the experience of the next? They will very likely find that the expenditure is greater than the revenue and it will not be a very pleasant job putting it right. ’ ’ Mr. Hamilton concluded by expressing the conviction that at the election the people would be behind the National 'Party. The people of the Dominion were politically-minded ana ready to lend their sux>port in the Government of the country along sound lines. Ho was very pleased to see t bo large gathering, and said that the National Party was not representative of any one section of the community, but of all sections. He did not believe in a party representing one section alone. The National Party wanted to represent the farmer, the business man and thS working man, and only by such complete representation would it be possible to represent the national viewpoint of the country as a whole. Mr. Hamilton expressed his appreciation of the woman’s organisation responsible for the gathering. “The women would play a very important part in the next election,” he said. They were tho strength of the country to-day,