Thames Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1938. CONTRASTS IN LEADERS.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 September 1938, Page 4

Thames Star

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1938. CONTRASTS IN LEADERS.

“With malic* toward* none; with charity for all; with firnnne** In th# right, a* God give* us to •«« th* right.”—Lincoln.

Labour has sought to use the radio service of this country as a political weapon. Unfortunately for itself, it is a double-edged weapon. Seldom in this country’s history, for instance, can the public have been made aware of such a glaring political contrast as that which has been disclosed, by the use of radio, in the personality and outlook of the two political leaders now seeking the support of the electors. Last week both Mr. Sab age and Mr. Hamilton were heard “over the air.” The Labour Prime Minister was his usual confident self, airy in his assurances, brushing aside suggestions that tho expenditure of further millions by the State might conceivably affect the pockets of the people adversely, and generally leaving the impression that, like Herr Hitler, in Europe, he has only to say something and it be - comes a reality, irrespective of tho financial or economic conditions prevailing in the Dominion. And his airy assumption that “everything in the garden is lovely,” that, we can go on building a paradise in tho Pacific irrespective of what happens beyond our shores, was given special emphasis at a time when Mr. Savage, as Prime Minister of the Dominion, must have been fully informed personally of grave events in Europe which could ha've the most serious effects on our economy or even our national existence. Following Mr. Savage came Mr. Hamilton’s critical analysis of the position in this Dominion to-day, the actual cost to the taxpayer’s pocket of -what Labour lias done or proposes to do, our dependence on overseas markets, of the drift in the national finances and the folly of many of the prer sent Government’s undertakings. Much ground has undoubtedly been lost by the country under Labour, but the position is not yet regarded by Mr. Hamilton as hopeless. Had the Social Security Act been functioning, this well night ha’ve been tho case, but we have the National Party’s assurance that it will not be put into operation. This, then, will permit adjustments in relation to taxation and other issues which will allow the country to breath© freely once more. In so far as State encroachments on the freedom of the private individual are concerned, Mr. Hamilton struck a note of hope which has been well received throughout the the country, while his speech as a whole ga've welcome evidence of a leader who lias a firm grip of the problems of New Zealand and is not ashamed to keep his feet firmly planted on the soil from whence springs the Avealt-h of the nation. There can be no question that in the comparisons which are being made to-day as a result, Mr. Hamilton is scoring all along the line. And

In bis speech there is ample support for his contention that tho National Party will do as well in its six broadcasts as Labour in the 10 deliveries it has decided to arrange for itself.