THE NATIONAL PARTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20635, 22 October 1938, Page 9

THE NATIONAL PARTY.

(To the Editor) Sir,—The results of the general election leave no room for doubt that the “new” National Party failed miserably to convince the electors of its "newness." A few changes in personnel and the promise of a loan to married couples for furniture do not make a new party. The disguise was too thin. Everyone was able to see quite clearly the fangs of the wolf whenever the sheep opened Its mouth. I am perfectly certain that a very large section of the electors voted for what they considered the lesser of two evils. Since the Nationalists seem unable to abandon their worn-out doctrines and more obvious insincerities, and since the people are not likely to forget for many years the unnecessary | misery and suffering caused by their deflationary policy during the slump, the best thing the National Party can do is to abandon the fight and leave the field clear for an entirely new party with a progressive policy which is more in keeping with public opinion —and by public opinion I do not mean the editorials of the daily Press. There is a golden opportunity at the present time for a party which will represent the vast middle sections of the community, the small farmers, business men, shopkeepers, professional men and the salaried classes who are at present disfranchised, being forced to choose between the National Party, behind which are the big financial Interests, and the Labour Party, which is under the thumb of the militant trade unions. It will have to be a party that does not adhere to the doctrine* of despair that slumps are inevitable, a party that will not shrink with superstitious horror from credit expansion, and will not upon the eve of an election drop the compensated price to substitute a “guaran- ( teed minimum price” which no farmers j organisation has ever asked for.—l | am, etc..

G. HUNTER Horsham Downs, October 19.