NATIONAL PARTY

Wairarapa Daily Times, 9 December 1937, Page 5

NATIONAL PARTY

MEETING IN MASTERTON. WOMEN’S SECTION FORMED. "The Labour Party went into pewer on false pretences, because it failed to keep its promises, Srfcl, amongst other things, reduce taxation,* * declared Mrs G. F. Stone, president of the Wellington Women’s Section of the New Zealand National Party, in the course of an interesting address to an audience of about 100 women in the Municipal Social Hall, last night. Mrs Stone defended the actions of previous Governments and urged the necessity for organisation, unity and loyalty to conluat the forces of the socialistic Labour Government.

After Mrs Stone had been heard, it was unanimously decided to form a Masterton Women’s Section of the Party and a committee was set up. Mr. J. Ik. Irving, chairman of the Masterton Electorate Committee, who presided, referred to the organisation of the party in the district and said that already eight branches had been formed. The assistance and co-opera-tion of the ladies, however, were desired and for that, reason Mrs Stone had been invited to address them. He paid a tribute to Mrs Stone’s "work on behalf of women’s organisation and said she had the signal honour of being the only woman on the Executive of the National Party.

After expressing pleasure at the’ large attendance, Mrs Stone said it indicated the enthusiasm in Masterton for the National Party and the confidence placed in the leader, the Hon. Adam Hamilton. Everywhere she went signs were manifest of increasing in--1 terest and enthusiasm. All former parties in the political field, she said,' had joined force jmder the banner of the National Party to fight the forces of the socialistic Labour Government, which came into power on a split vote and operated on a minority vote.. J Times had changed considerably and if such a meeting had been called in the past, twelve months before an election, there would only have been about half a dozen people in the front seats. Dealing with statements that former Conservative Governments had done I nothing for the women and children of ! the country, Mrs Stone referred to the | work of the Plunket Society, which | had been wholeheartedly supported i and assisted, the education system, J which was equal to that of any other | country in the world, the Family Al- ! lowance Act of 1926, social services i and housing schemes Settlers in all parts of the country had benefited by the extension of electricity, schemes, while, under the Child Welfare DeI partment thousands of children had been educated and given every opportunity in life. Every credit should be given to a Government that could provide such wonderful social services and amenities. Though they had been provided with a policy from the. cradle to the grave, the people were not satisfied. Public opinion was against the j men who had fought through the depression years and, when Labour went , into power at the turn of the tide, left ! the affairs of the country in wonderful order.

Referring to the formation of the National Party, Mrs Stone said former legislators had been prepared to sink their differences and unite to fight the socialistic party. After paying a. tribute to Mr. Hamilton, Mrs Stone said that already 31,000 electors had enrolled with the National Party, and the number was rapidly increasing. There could be no room for differences in apy shape or form. They should be atne to unite their forces so that at the next election there would be only two # parties, the socialistic Labour Government and the New Zealand National Party. It should be the aim of those associated with the movement to gather in all people and all favourable interests and them in one policy. Organisation was essential and after that they must be loyal to. the leader of the partj> and the men selected as candidates. "From Auckland fb the Bluff come cheerful and optimistic reports,’’ observed Mrs Stone, who added: "There is a tremendous swing, our w'ay. We "will be able to place a clear-cui and constructive policy before the people and the country. That policy wil be big and strong and, like our leader, sound and solid." "The Labour Party," continued Mrs Stone, "seems to think that everything is wrong with the country and with society. We believe we have reached a high standard of life in New Zealand. We believe in prudent saving; the Labour Party thinks it is of no use to save with national superannuation in prospect. ’’ It was, however, impossible to get something for nothing and as the result ■of the Government ’s reckless expenditure our children would have a millstone round their, necks for many years. The outlook and policy of the Government was dominated by sentiment, sympathy and sustenance. To save New. Zealand from a socialistic regime the Labour Party. must be put out at the next election," remarked Mrs Stone, w-ho said that the National Party faced the polls with confidence and optimism. The party stood for security and liberty, national security for the nation, economic security for the individual, liberty for the subject and' retention of the right of private ownership and inheritance. After attacking compulsory unionism, Mrs Stone dealt at some lengths with increased taxation and the rising costs of living consequent upon the policy of the Government. She referred to visits to Russia by the Minister of Finance, who she said, with his influence with the. Government, was using methods learnt in Soviet Russia.

At the conclusion of her address, Mrs Stone was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation. It was decided to form a Masterton Electorate women's branch of the party, and the following were appointed a committee with power to add: Mesdames T. R. Barrer, C. C. Jackson, J. Gray, H. J, Lord and Miss S. Kennedy. Mr. Justin Power, Wellington Divisional Secretary, also briefly addressed the meeting end stressed the necessity for unity and organisation.