NATIONAL PARTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23145, 17 September 1938, Page 18

NATIONAL PARTY

CANDIDATES' RECEPTION GREAT ENTHUSIASM SHOWN MR. HAMILTON CONFIDENT WELL-EQUIPPED FOR CAMPAIGN [by TUIjKGIIAPH OWN COIIItKSPONDKNT J WELLINGTON. Friday Tlio rooms of the National Club were crowded to overflowing this evening when tho National candidates for Parliament wore the guests of honour at a reception. A speech b.y the Leader of tlio Opposition, tlio Hon. A. Hamilton, was greeted with a remarkable display of enthusiasm, which was repeated when other National members of Parliament, candidates and party ollicials were heard. The president of the National Club, Mr. Guy Johnston, in welcoming tlio guests, .said the party and tho country as a whole were under a deep debt of gratitude to them for the services they had rendered. Tliey wished to tell Mr. Hamilton and those who would bo associated with Jiim in the coming election that they were facing tlio contest with high hopes and a fixed determination to spare no effort to gain a sweeping victory against tho forces of socialism. Demands of the People The president of the National Party, Mr. C. H. Weston, also welcomed tho guests. He said that a month ago the general impression abroad was that the National Party was in the trough of the wave and that the' title was at the ebb, but now the tide was at the Hood. That was largely due to the masterly way in which tho Parliamentary party had handled the Opposition case in Parliament. They were

moving to their electorates in the shadow of a great crisis, one which involved tho necessity of great sacrifices. He knew tho people would welcome the coming to power of a sane Government. The country would have no confidence in the present Government, but would demand one they could trust. "Tho sight of such a crowd assembled to wish us well in the campaign reminds us of a gathering of the clans," said Mr. Ha mil ton. "jf it was not for tho knowledge that the peoplo outside wero behind us and that we were representing a body of organised responsible public opinion in this country, we should not be able to keep going. The war clouds over Europe are ominous. The danger signals are out. Let me pay a tribute to our British Prime Minister for playing his part. Although we deplore tho thought of war and the necessity for armaments, when we havo force behind us our counsel is to some effect." Party Organisation Referring to a passage in the social security legislation, Mr. Hamilton said the bill was the most awkward one to handle from the Opposition, point of view. "We thought we would steer our course in a manner which would prevent tho Government getting us off side," he said. "The amendments wo moved in the course of that bill are mighty handy for our candidates who ax - e going out to fight the election, and that was supposed to be their trump card. I do not know whether it lias turned out that way." Mr. Hamilton paid a tribute to the outside organisation of the party, asserting that the fighting forces wero stronger than they had ever been before. "We are going to win all right," ho declared amid cheers. "I want to express our appreciation of the help given to us in the selection of candidates. We havo a wonderful band to augment our forces in the campaign. We are delighted with them. Many of them have university degrees, and they are a vigorous type, keen to put the case forcefully before their hearers." Prolonged applause , followed Mr. Hamilton's closing sentence: —"In about four weeks' time wo will hold a vcitory ball."

TE AWAMUTIT ACTIVITIES THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] TE AWAMUTU. Fridav There was a Rood attendance at tho annual meeting of the IV Awamutu branch of the National Party. Iho chairman, Mr. S. S. Preston, presided. A welcome was extended to Mr. W. S. Goosman, National candidate for the Waikato scat, and to Mr. Edyar James, Mayor of Cambridge, ami chairman of the National Party committee for tho electorate. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Chairman, Mr. S. S. Preston; secretary, Mr. T. Short; committee, Messrs. H. Mandeno, G. Hall, D. Storey, G. E. Churches. H. G. Halihage, H. H. liahbaße.S.l. T. Youhr, S. Clark, T. W. Gee, W. J North, W. F. Woodward, M. iNiies-Jones, .). O'iphant, J. A. McGechie, J. D. Wallace, H. J. Webber, and J. Waters; ladies' committee, Mesdames W. P. Locke, J. Oliphant, Dowries, G. Hall, A. 11. Storey, C. W. Rickit, S. C. Price, G. N. Newton, M. Rennie, P. R. Glanville, Olsen, F. C. Blnmlell. I). JJockett. P. W. Bevin, S. S. Preston, Sister M. Hayward, Misses Mandeno, E. Palmer, G. Garvey, A. E. Eyre and M. Storey.