National Party’s Views

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 7 June 1938, Page 10

National Party’s Views

AGAIN STATED BY THE LEADER SOCIALISM OR FREEDOM BROADCAST ADDRESS AT HAMILTON ANTI-SOCIALISTIC POLICY EMPHASISED The National broadcasting; services were again engaged last night in giving listeners-in who are interested in local politics, another address. This time the speaker was the Hon. Adam Hamilton, who spoke from Hamilton. He was given a great reception, with musical honours, and the meeting opened with the singing of the National Anthem. District candidates for Parliament were introduced and cordially received. There were some interjections from a section of the audience, especially in the later' stages, but they did not interfere much with the address so far as ifie broadcast was concerned. Mr Hamilton’s speech differed in details from his address in Wellington, but again emphasised the main issue as: Freedom versus Socialism. His declaration of the National Party’s determination to wipe compulsory unionism off the Statute Book, was greeted with prolonged applause, as at Wellington. Possibly the most noisy interruption from the interjecting section came when the speaker remarked: “When the National Party takes over after three years of Socialist rule, the job will not be easy, but if the claim is just and important, the job must be tackled.” Mr Hamilton spoke as follows, although one or two items appear under separate headings.

I am delighted to tell you. ladies and gentlemen, that the wave of support of the National Party that started to make itself felt about a year ago, and which has gathered strength ever since, continues in a most remarkable way. From every part of the country, from cities, towns and country districts, come the same encouraging reports of steady progress, and rapidly increasing membership. To-day we have over 600 branches, 9000 executive members, and over 100,000 financial members. One of the most pleasing features of our organisation is the willingness ot thousands of the younger people to come forward and lend a hand in organising against the forces of Socialism. Busy people are making time to assist in our organisation, and. if one thing pleases me more than another, it is the splendid type of candidate we have succeeded in bringing .out.. Most of them are native-born New Zealanders and nearly all of them arc on the right side of fifty.