TOWARDS SOCIALISM

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20719, 1 February 1939, Page 5

TOWARDS SOCIALISM

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY HIGHER COBT OF LIVING MR HAMILTON’S OPINION (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday "The present position of our overseas funds is certainly alarming, but the publio must understand that the cause of the shortage of funds at this stage is none other than the Government’s ill-considered policy,” said the Opposition Leader, the Hon. A. Hamilton. iri an interview this evening. Asked about developments since the election Mr Hamilton said there had been some serious and rather startling admissions by the Government that really should have been made public before the electors exercised their votes last October. The Government had interpreted the election result as a mandate to proceed apace with its advanced ideas of State regulation, and the control of exports and imports no doubt was pleasing to Government members and was in line with their socialistic programme toward a totalitarian State. “There evidently has been some suggestion that Parliament should be called together to consider the question,” said Mr Hamilton, “but that would be a useless and expensive proceeding, for the net result would be a decision to approve the Government's socialistic programme by two to one. At the general election the electors made their decision and the Opposition must abide by that decision, even if the Government’s policy results in much hardship. “One Ihlng is certain —the cost of living must rise in spite of ministerial warnings. It does seem a bit incongruous for a Government which had just raised railway rates 10 per cent to complain of others raising prices to meet extra costs.”