THE NATIONAL PARTY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 247, 30 July 1937, Page 6

THE NATIONAL PARTY.

A TILT BY LABOUR LEADERS. THE PREMIER CONFIDENT. (Per Press Association.j WELLINGTON, July 29. A tilt at the National Party was made by the Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Fraser), speaking at thei Labour Party’s reception to the Prime Minister to-day. He was supported by the Prime Minister, who said he did not mind a little ®bit of criticism, but the other fellow would have to take) his gruel. “And I think he is going to get it,” declared Mr Savage, adding that he proposed to make a tour of the main centres, commencing probably at Auckland on August 14. “During the period you have been away our opponents have been making an effort to consolidate their forces. So far there is no evidence either of consolidation or of forces as far as I can see,” said Mr Fraser. “I do not propose to examine closely their movements or power of organisation, nor do I want to under-estimate them. We are beginning a stage in which we can expect the greatest possible measure of opposition. Already we have had evidence of it in certain newspapers. If you look at the columns of certain newspapers—l do not mean the leading articles, because very few people read the leading articles, if they look at them at all—you will see news and particularly headlines being used on behalf of the National Party that is a most insidious form of propaganda.” “Will Have To Take Medicine.” “Mr Fraser has talked about our opponents consolidating their forces,” said Mr Savage. “Well we will be able to see them when they are consolidated. However, I have no objection to a little bit of criticism. We can do with it; it is helpful, but the other fellow will have to take the medicine we supply. We are going to have ago as well as the other fellow, and we will not run away from him either. “I am going to visit the various centres,” continued the Prime Minister. “If the consolidation of our opposition results in our defeat at the next election wo will have no complaint. If that does happen, and 1 do not think for a moment it will, the people need not expect to gain much if we go out and the other fellows who brought New Zealand to the lowest ebb come in again. Some people will say that this Government was not responsible for the high prices of wool. No, but this Government was responsible lor a great deal more equity in the distribution of high prices, than any Government of the past. Although somo dairy farmers may argue they have not been getting the prices they think they ought to have been getting, I think all realise that at least they have got security. I am satisfied that if we had an election to-morrow the consolidation of our opponents would not be possible because they would not be there at all. We have not changed our coats. Wo have not changed anything except the hellish conditions that existed before we took office.”