NO “CLOSED SEASON" FOR LABOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 98, 28 April 1939, Page 6

NO “CLOSED SEASON" FOR LABOUR

HON. ADAM HAMILTON'S ATTACK ( RITICISM or FINANCIAL POLICY [ Per Press Assoeintir.n I AUCKLAND, April 27. “The decision of the Minister of Finance to take a trip Home is hut another public demonstration of the seriousness of the Government's selfmade crisis, the full severity of which has not yet been revealed,” said th? Leader of the Opposition, Hon. A. Hamilton after his arrival in Auckland. “It is not difficult, to see the series of successive troubles into which the Government has hurled the country, and among the matters calling for urgent attention is the renewal of the London loan of £17,000,000 necessarily must give the gravest concern. Misarrangement always brings a day of reckoning and for the Government that day is just about here. “It is shocking to think that during years of record export income this country should find itself in these straits. If it does nothing else the present hardships and difficulties inflicted on the people should awaken the electors of New Zealand io the seriousness of the business of governing. It is hardly a task for experimental amateurs. It should bring home, too, just to w hat extent, an inexcusable and regrettable extent, they were kept in the dark by the Government while it safely negotiated the dangerous hurdle of the last election. “Confidence Forfeited” “To-day the Government has forfeited the right to the confidence of the people. The Prime Minister, Ri. Hon. M. J. Savage, put it bluntly enough when he said recently, ‘You can’t get rid of us now. You might as well declare a closed season for the Government.’ There is not. goin-; to be any closed season. He is neither entitled to it, nor xvill he get it. The people have a right to know the reasons that have led up to the collapse of the Government's management. They have a right to know all ihe facts and should not be kept in the dark. “It recent statements and excuses offered by the Prime Minister, and Hon. W. Nash are the best explanations on hand, then it is obvious that Labour is on the run and a return to sound and practical administration under National direction is not far distant. Mr. Nash's trip no doubt has its purpose, but it is also very essential that he concentrates on putting our own house in order, particularly esesntial, perhaps, since Mr. Nash is seeking outside help to enable him to repair the damage he has done."