UNITY AGAINST SOCIALISM

Southland Times, Issue 23388, 21 December 1937, Page 4

UNITY AGAINST SOCIALISM

Mr Hamilton Greets New Body

“BELIEF OF NATIONAL PARTY SHARED”

“THE GROWING MENACE OF STATE CONTROL”

The establishment of the Auckland Provincial Freedom Association as an independent organization to stimulate interest in politics and to maintain vigilance in the maintenance of democratic and constitutional rights is regarded by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, as a step of great potential importance in the struggle against Socialism. “There can be no question of any division of forces in this matter,” Mr Hamilton said. “As I see it, there is a group in Auckland which is entirely opposed to the principles of the Labour movement—a group which shares the belief of the National Party in the lasting virtues of personal liberty as opposed to the doctrine of the totalitarian state. That the new organization elects to remain independent in certain respects does not affect the issue a scrap. It is ready for alliance with the National Party and prepared to give us its support, because our ideals are the same. That is all that matters. We must have a united front against Socialism and we are ready to welcome and cooperate with any organization which sees the danger confronting New Zealand today and which is willing to fight against it.” The objects of the new association, Mr Hamilton continued, had been set out to include the urgent necessity for maintaining the principles of true democracy and for opposing by all lawful means the growing menace of State control and ministerial interference in agricultural and industrial affairs. Such objectives, he thought, would appeal to all people who wished to enjoy the just rewards of their own initiative and endeavour.

SIMILARITY IN POLICIES Mr Hamilton recalled that some months ago, after a Dominion conference of the National Party, he had issued a general statement giving a broad outline of the party’s policy. The viewpoint expressed in the new association’s manifesto appeared, to strike a similar note. It appeared that the principal aim of the Freedom Association was to carry out educative work. In this way it would be of great assistance to the 'Opposition in Parliament, which had been endeavouring for months to direct political thought to the evils of a Government policy which was entirely materialistic. “It says much for the standing of the new body that it has been able to obtain the services of such a noted man as Professor R. M. Algie,” Mr Hamilton continued. “I know him by repute as a man of keen intellect and the highest principles. As an authority on constitutional law, he has been m a unique position to detect the inherent weaknesses in the Labour Government’s legislation. He is to be congratulated on his courage in leaving a sheltered post for the heat and acrimony of the political arena to expose weaknesses which he knows to exist. “There is much work to be done during the next few months,” added .Mr Hamilton. “Those of us who appreciate tradition, who desire sane progress, and who value personal liberty, must make common cause against anything which savours of class-conscious government. The new association will be welcomed by the National Party as an ally in the fight for freedom.”