RETURN TO SANITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23162, 7 October 1938, Page 13

RETURN TO SANITY

. FREEDOM RESTORED POSITION AFTER POLLING MR. J. PARK'S PREDICTION Thy National candidate for Onehunga, Mr. -T. Pa;rk, was accorded a good hearing in St. George's Hall, Ranfurly Road, Epsom, last night, when he addressed 200 electors. Mr. E. V. Sutherland occupied the chair, Mr. Park was accorded a vote of confidence, which was carried unanimously by acclamation.

Mr. Park, who, on rising, was greeted with applause, said that it was the first time during the campaign that he had not been "welcomed" by his opponents. He Baid that he was satisfied that on October 15 New Zealand would return to sane government and that the British heritage of a free democracy would be restored to the people. He denied that the National Party \Vas the successor of the old Reform Party, because no fewer than 52 candidates now standing as Nationalists had never stood before. The Government had stated that this election would be. decided on the social security scheme, said Mr. Park, and he contended that it had never made a truer statement, because it would go out of office on that measure alone. The opposition of the medical profession would make the health scheme inoperative. He held that it was definitely unfair to compel contributors to existing superannuation schemes to contribute to a second fund from which they would receive no benefit. (Applause.) Mr. Park mentioned that promises had been made that the pensions of returned soldiers would not be interfered with, but it had come to his knowledge that recently the regulations had been tightened up and that applicants for pensions had been subjected to unnecessary and irritating treatment. Surely, he claimed, the testimony of any registered medical practitioner should be accepted regarding the loss of health of any ex-serviceman. He said he would go the limit to help returned men.

SANE GOVERNMENT

NATIONAL PARTY AIM FIGHT AGAINST SOCIALISM Democratic and sane government, as opposed to the socialistic trend of the present Labour administration, was the keynote of the policy of the party led by the Hon. Auam Hamilton, emphasised Mr. 10. J. Close, National candidate for Waitemata, who addressed nearly 500 electors in the King's Theatre, Northcote, last night. The Mayor, Mr. R. Martin, presided. The candidate was well received and was given a good the address being punctuated with frequent applause, though mingled with goodhumoured dissent at times. Mr. Close opened by pointing out that this was the most serious election the country ever had to face. Far-reaching questions had to be thought out and a decision given on polling day. When he was selected as the National candidate, he had waited on the present member for Waitemata —Mr. W. J. Lvon— (Cries of "good old Jack," and cheers). Both had agreed to fight the election cleanly, said Mr, Close, and the Waitemata contest would be characterised bv British fair plav. Tho one objective of the Government was socialism, toward which it>_ had worked steadily, said the candidate. The National Party would fight that to the death. (Apnlause.) But the people had to arrest that trend, which would alter the destiny of New Zealand. "Are you going to voto for good government?" the candidate asked. Or were they to bo governed and .dictated to by others with no stake in the country and the Federation of Labour? The candidate was accorded a voto of thanks and confidence, and the meeting closed with cheers.