POLITICAL ADDRESS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 148, 10 July 1937, Page 3

POLITICAL ADDRESS

Our Own Correspondent).

Hon. Adam Hamilton in Wairoa

(Form

WAIROA, Thursday. The Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, addressed about 150 electors in Olsen's Hall on Thursday night, the audience including a large number of ladies. 'The meeting was rnost orderly, and the speaker had a most attentive hearing throughout. Tlie Mayor, Mr H. L. Harker, took the chair, statjng that though this was not the first visit of Mr Hamilton, it yas the occasion of his iirst politirii speech in the town. He said he desired to tell him how much the Wairoa peoplo were grateful to him for the attention he had given to them on the occasion of the two disastrous earthquakes. He, as Mayor, got in toucb with Mr Hamilton, and in one hour that gentleman had sent his officers oli by plane to assist Wairoa in the matter of restoring essential services disrupted by the earthquakes. Mr Hamilton, who was applauded on rising, thanked the Mayor i'or his introduction, and for his kiudly reference to wliat he had been able to do for the people of Wairoa in their distress. He then went on to say that his purpose was not to attack the Governinent or Labour, but to give the electors an opportunity to exchauge thought and by the advice fortlicoming trom the euection, to help in building up a policy that would make for the betterment of New Zealand. The people wero now taking an increased interest in politics, and it was a very. hopeiui sign. The speaker then went on to deal with the iactors that brought about the last pohtieal landslide, ciaiming that when the people had decided that tliey wanted a change" they had gone l'arther tlian they intended, s0 that for what they were getting now neither was Parliament or the Labour I'arty to blanie, but the people themselves. Mr Hamilton dealt with a number of questions on the lines of his speeches at Gisborne, Napier and elsewhere, driving home his points very convincingly, He dealt with the slOmp and wiiat had to be -done to counter it, and pomted out that Labour had tho luek to corne in on a rising wave of prosperiSy. It was duty of ali electors, aiid not a section of them, to uphold the Hemocracy which, he said, showed a tendency to break down, quoting Spain, Itaiy, Germany and ilussia, and calied upon all who joved their beautiful country to uphold its be^t interests. Ho dealt' with taxation on tho JUnes of his recent speeches, as well as the matter of the Government's promises to the electors durihg the political campaigu. Other remarks dealt with thc dangers of Communism slipping in throiigh the multiplicity of parties. After makiug a final appeal for greater ointerest in generai politics, the speaker concluded amid applause. Though an invitation was extended for questions, none was asked, and on the motion of Mr T. L. Powdrell, seconded by Mr H. Crichton, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Hamilton for his able and illuminating address. Many of those present remained behjnd to decide on policy matters and organisation with the visiting speaker and Mr T. G. Wilkes, the Hawke's Bay organiser.