POLITICAL TREND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23273, 16 February 1939, Page 14

POLITICAL TREND

EDUCATION OF PUBLIC NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TOUR BY MR. HAMILTON HERITAGE THREATENED [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] INVERCARGILL, Wednesday "If our people are not concerned at the present state of our country, they should, be. It will be our job to try to awaken them to the sense of their public responsibility, a responsibility for the future welfare of our people that they cannot lightly escape," said tho Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in announcing a National Party campaign to inform and educate public opinion in New Zealand about the truth of the situation as the National Party sees it. "I may be asked what we propose to do further now that tho Prime Minister has refused to call Parliament together to consider the present state of affairs in New Zealand," stated Mr. Hamilton. "Ho states that.there are no special circumstances and no drift to-day that would warrant such a course. While we must accept the Prime Minister's assurances, many of us have grave doubts about the present position and also about the future of our country. Informing Public Opinion "As members of tho National Party we must now accept tho only alternative that is open to us, that of informing and educating public opinion about the truth of the situation as we see it. This we intend to do from time to time, both through the daily press and from tho platform. "I expect to bo leaving soon for Wellington, where I shall arrange for this publicity campaign," continued Mr. Hamilton. "Electors, however, must themselves accept responsibility for the present situation, as it was they who placed the present Government in power. I hope to visit personally most of the electorates before tho ordinary session begins, meeting our supporters and discussing with them tho more serious aspects of government and tho necessity for keeping our organisation in good fighting trim, so that we can play our full part in tho government of our country whenever the necessity may ariso and whatever form it may take. Faith In Democracy "Many persons may be restless because ot what has happened since the elections," said Mr. Hamilton, "but it must not bo forgotten that we of the National Party stand by our British democratic system of government and method of election. The effective time, therefore, to talk and fight is before an election. It is tho electors' votes that govern this country. When tho fight is over and the people have expressed their choioo it is for each to got on with his job, and we are going to get on with our task of informing and educating public opinion about ways and means of obtaining sound jorosressivo government in New Zea"Our great heritage is at stake, a heritage that has been built up over the past century. This heritage has been tho pride of our people and has obtained for us a prominent place in the minds and hearts of our British people."