NEW LEADER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20587, 28 November 1936, Page 8

NEW LEADER

DECLARATION OF LOYALTY AUCKLAND’S CHANGE OF FRONT By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 27. A genuine personal triumph was scored to-day by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. A. Hamilton, In his meeting with the Auckland Provincial Executive of the National Political Party. Only a fortnight ago the Auckland Executive passed a resolution which was tantamount to a vote of no-confidence in Mr Hamilton as leader of the Party, but to-day a majority of its members were given their first opportunity of meeting Mr Hamilton personally and hearing his views on the political situation. The result was a vote of confidence and an enthusiastic declaration of loyalty to the new leader. At the conclusion of the meeting, which lasted for the greater part of the day, the following resolution was passed unanimously:— “Having heard the Hon. Adam Hamilton when he gave the Auckland Divisional Committee complete information regarding his selection as leader, the Auckland Executive now withdraws its previous opposition and endorses his appointment as leader of the Party.”

Delegates who attended the meeting stated subsequently that Mr Hamilton had won the whole executive completely to his side. He had impressed everyone by his straightforward manner, absolute sincerity and complete grasp of the whole political situation, and members who had previously criticised his selection on the grounds of former Party affiliations now recognised that their apprehensions were groundless. The chairman of the Auckland Provincial Executive, Mr Lisle Aiderton, persided at the meeting, which commenced in the morning and continued throughout the afternoon. The discussion was notable for its freedom and frankness, and from all accounts Mr Hamilton dealt in a forceful manner with recent suggestions regarding a possible division in the ranks of the Opposition. He stressed the view that at least 90 per cent, of the people opposed to the Government were in favour of a united front in the fight against Socialism, and his declaration of his own personal attitude won for him the complete support of the meeting.

Former Affiliations

It is understood that the question of former Party affiliations was discussed, and that it was pointed out that although Reform members were in a pronounced majority in the Coalition Government from 1931 to 1935, they had never objected to the leadership of Mr Forbes nor to the appointment of Mr Masters as Leader of the Legislative Council. Several

speakers stressed the fact that recognition of this fact should allay criticism of the selection of a former Reform member as Leader of the Opposition, particularly as Mr Hamilton himself was determined to lead the united Party in Parliament. The extent to which Mr Hamilton scored a personal triumph can be gauged from the fact that two members of the executive who had previously opposed his leadership moved and seconded the resolution endorsing his appointment. Mr Hamilton will meet the junior section of the National Party tomorrow, and will leave in the afternoon for Rotorua and the East Coast. He will also visit Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa on his way to Wellington, where he will address a combined meeting of supporters next Thursday and make a statement to the country summing up the results of his tour.