WANGANUI ELECTORATE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 103, 4 May 1938, Page 6

WANGANUI ELECTORATE

NATIONAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT BY MR. H. C. VEITCH ADDRESS TO COMMITTEE At a meeting of the general committee of the Wanganui branch of the National Party last night a general statement was made by the selected candidate for the Wanganui electorate, Mr H. C. Veitch. Mr Veitch thanked the general committee, as the representatives of the parly, for the very great honour they had done him in choosing him as their candidate to contest what would probabiy be the most critical election in the history of the country. Whilst he felt a considerable pride in being chosen, he was fully conscious of the tremendous responsibilitj which had fallen upon him. He realised that he couid not carry th? party to success b; his own efforts alone. Government of a country does not depend upon the capacity or the work of a few men in Parliament, but upon the support and encouragement of the people. In asking his committee to give their time and their energies to ensure his election, Mr Veitch pointed out that this support was not for him personally but because now the responsibility of fighting for the cause of good government fell upon him. The prosper ts for the election seemed very bright. There was a growing realisation among all sections of the community that the policy of the present Government, whilst it might temporarily be for the benefit of the few. would ultimately for the benefit of none. The next election would be a test of the pub-

lic conscience. The choice was between a government encouraging a virile independence and one encouraging a weak reliance upon the community. So that the proper choice might be made, it was essential that the National Party continue and even strengthen the splendid organisation it had already built, up. The large membership was most encouraging and the leadership of the organisation was thoroughly sound. In th ft past, the anti-sociaiist parties had failed on the side- of organisation. This year, the National Party was infinitely better organised than any anti-socialist party has ever been. Mr Veitch felt confident that superior organisation and the justice of its cause would ensure the return of a National Government. Mr Veitch pointed out that, whilst he was the candidate representing the National Party, he would, if elected, be the member for Wanganui, and would represent both his and his opponents. He assured his listeners that he would try to carry out his duties to all. He had no personal case against his Labour Party opponent. The difference was purely one of political opinion, and whilst Mr Veitch would 'attack the policy of the Government, he would not bring himself to introduce the persona: element. The speaker paid a tribute to th* three gentlemen who had offered themselves for selection. They had met several times before the ballot and had discussed the procedure for selection in a most friendly spirit. The National Party in Wanganui was perfectly unified, and therefore ready to fight an election at any time.