NATIONAL PARTY

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVII, Issue 102, 12 May 1939, Page 3

NATIONAL PARTY

ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES ADDRESS BY MR JULL. The annual meeting of the Waipawa Electorate Committee of the New Zealand National Party was held in the Municipal Concert Chamber at Waipawa on Tuesday, there being a good attendance of delegates from all parts of the electorate. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Chairman, Mr C. G. E. [darker; secretary, Mr N. J. McKay ; executive committee, Messrs C. Pattison, A. L. Malcolm, D. J. Holden, G. F. McHardy, H. G. Carr, N. Waldin, V. W. Stratford, and F. R. MeWilliam. A comprehensive report of the past year’s activities was presented by the executive. Various remits from the branches were discussed and dealt with. It was resolved to hold a National Party ball at Waipawa

later in the season. At the conclusion of the formal business a very instructive address was given by Mr A. E. Jull, M.P., on the present political situation. The speaker pointed out that the temporary taxation put on to meet emergencies during the slump, and which the present Government was pledged to repeal, was not only still in operation, but taxes had been heavily increased. The graduated laud tax had not only failed in achieving the purpose for which it was imposed but it had now become an oppressive measure which hampered production. He quoted official statistics to show that the sound financial position existing when the present Government took over the Treasury, benches had been destroyed, and that, despite three years of international prosperity, the Government had themselves created a financial position of an alarming nature. He could only trust that Mr Nash’s trip to England would result in his at least bettering the unfortuate situation which he and his colleagues had so foolishly and recklessly created. Dealing with the matter of defence, the speaker emphasised that the question , was not a party one and said that the National Party would co-operate heartily with the Government in any effort to over-

take the arrears in a matter so vital to the very existence of the State. The Prime Minister’s apparently conflicting statements, however, made it very hard for the electors ,to know what the Government’s defence policy is. Mr Jull was heartily applauded on resuming his seat. In thanking members for their attendance, and congratulating the branches on the success attending their efforts last October, the chairman reminded the delegates of the continued need for loyalty and solidarity in the ranks of those opposed to Marxian Socialism. He pointed out that the National Party know no class distinctions whatever, and placed the interests of the people above the interests of party. It realised the importance of the moral issues involved, and knew that no country could survive on a policy of mere materialism. Before dispersing, the meeting passed a resolution thanking the Hon. Adam Hamilton for his unflagging efforts to safeguard the welfare of New Zealand, and expressing its loyalty to the National Party and to him as its leader.