LABOUR'S CHANCE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 185, 23 August 1937, Page 4

LABOUR'S CHANCE

Priihe Minister's Plea for Support "WHISPERING CAMPAIGN" In warning his supporters to be oii the alert in combating any lvhispering campaign against the Government, the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, at a recent gatliering, said that the Labour Party in power had great possibilities and great responsibilities. They must do nothing that woujd damage the reputation of Labour, because the harm would mean a setback for Labour all over the world. There was not a nation on earth that was not closely w^tching New Zealand. "I am not a cliild,". said tho Prime Minister. "I have lived a fairly long life and the present opportunity is the only one I have had or evor will have of getting anything fundamental done. There are still some people who wonder if the Government is in earnest. So I ask you to remember that this opportunity comes only once in a lifetime and so I 'am not likely to lose it. Therefore, there is no cause for anyone to look with suspicion on those who are doing their best." Mr Savage added that there wero people who would wreck the Labour movement if they had the chance, and' they needed watching. Tales of an unhelpful kind weri? being widely circulated and it was up to supporters of the Government to take up a bold stand in opposition to this whispering. "This is probably the only opportunity that wjll come in your lifetime or mine," he concluded. "If we are defeated at the next election, is it reasonable to suppose that we would get back the following time? No, We have the ball at our feet now and we must go straight ahead. If the members of the Govqrnment are fit to be trusted, they must be trusted fully i want all of you to give us the benefit of your knowledge of industrial and other conditions, but to leave the direction of affairs to us. And disregard the whispering campaign, which will increase as the days go by."