TRIBUTE FORMER LEADER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 November 1940, Page 7

TRIBUTE FORMER LEADER

PARTY CONGRATULATES MR HAMILTON CHOICE OF SUCCESSOR ENDORSED [United Press Association] WELLINGTON, This Day. A resolution congratulating the former Leader, Mr Hamilton, on his services to the party and to New Zealand was passed at a meeting of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand National Party held in Wellington yesterday. The president, Mr A. Gordon. Parliamentary representatives, and 36 delegates from all provinces were present. It was resolved that the following message be conveyed to Mr Hamilton by the president and three members of the council: — “On behalf of the New Zealand National Party and its members throughout New Zealand, this council desires to express and to place on record its full recognition and appreciation of the services rendered by you to New Zealand in general and to the National Party in particular. The initial building up of our organisation, the harmonising of representatives of various political views into one political group and your wisdom, tolerance and political sagacity in leadership will long be remembered by this party which you have unselfishly and loyally led for ths past four very strenuous years. Ws desire to pay this tribute to your sincerity and honesty of purpose and to place on record our understanding of the upright moral principles by which you have been actuated. On all occasions your first thoughts have been as to what was the right and Christian course of action, and as to what would be most conducive to the best interests of the Dominion.” The council endorsed the appointment of Mr S. G. Holland, M.P., as leader of the New Zealand National Party. It was decided that the annual Dominion conference of the party would be held in Wellington in May, divisional committees to hold their annual meetings before 31st March. MR HARKER’S SUCCESS Mr C. G. E. Harker, M.P., Waipawa. was congratulated upn the success of his by-election campaign, and the large increase in the majority by which ha secured a win over the Labour candidate. Reference was made to the efforts of the National Parliamentary Party in the debate on the Small Farms Amendment Bill.' The followihg resolution was carried:— “This council expresses to the National Party members of Parliament its appreciation ol their action in opposing some of the clauses of the Small Farms Amendment Bill which conflict with the principles for which the Nations! Party stands.”