NATIONAL PARTY ON THE UP-GRADE

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 6

NATIONAL PARTY ON THE UP-GRADE

ADDRESS BY MR. E. B. GORDON (0.C.) Bulls, May 5. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Bulls branch of the National Party, Mr. E. B. Gordon, M.P. for Rangitikei, said that it would have been gratifying to the party to have won one or two of the Maori seats, but they had to contend with a lot, when it was realised the benefits the Maoris had received from the Government. He agreed that the position in New Zealand had deteriorated since the elections due principally to militant sections of the country striving tor leadership. There was no doubt that it would have been for the good ot the country had the National Party been returned to office because tiiey had leadership and the present Government suffered in this respect. It was very disturbing to see the trend ot present events and without doubt this would be the downfall of the Government. Mr. Gordon instanced the nomination ot two “Left" Government members (Messrs. McLagan and Cullen) to Cabinet, and said it would be interesting to see from which side of the Government the successor to Mr. Sullivan would be appointed. The appointment ot the new member, Mr. Moohan (secretary oi the Labour Party) to an Under-Secretaryship in the Prime Minister's Department, over the heads of other senior members of the party, indicated that Mr. Fraser was to be well watched from that direction. Mr. Gordon promised that when Parliament reassembled the debates by the National Party would be well worth listening to. Every walk of lite was represented by the National members and it would be said of them that they stood for the maintenance of justice and law and order in New Zealand. The industrial situation was going from bad to worse, he added, ana would continue to do so until leadership was forthcoming. 'the country was not producing all that could be produced in New Zealand and this was due entirely to Government policy. “The fact that the miners struck just before Easter time did more for the National Party than anything else,” said Mr. Gordon. The speaker pointed out that it should be known to all that the Opposition was ready to assume office at any time. Dealing with the Maori problems the speaker said that there should, be a Maori roll set up, deploring the present system, which also handicapped efforts to promote the welfare and health of the race. Education and health and land settlement were matters in which the National Party felt they could accomplish more than was being done by the Government. Concluding, Mr. Gordon again returned his tnanks and expressed the hope that he would be able to carry the flag for Rangitikei at the next general election. At the conclusion of business the ladies dispensed a sumptuous supper, for which they were accorded a vote of thanks, as were »he speakers of the evening and the chairman.