LOYALTY DECLARED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 7, 1 October 1937, Page 9

LOYALTY DECLARED

National Party's Faith ih Adam Hamilton More than 300 delegates from all parts of New Zealand assembled in the Masonic Hall, Wellington, yesterday, for fhe first annual conference of the National Party since its constitution in May, 1936. Mr. O. H. Weston, K.C., presided and seated with him was the Ho'n. Adam Hamilton, M.P., leader of the party. 41 Mr. Weston, in moving the adoption of the annual report, said that in ihe Great War the inost important- man was the private soldier in the line, so in the National Party the cnost important individuai was the man and woman in the electorates who had enxolled as members. The National Party was the expression of the political creed of all sections of the community, and it was quite obvious that if democracy was to survive, it was imperative that there would not be a multiplicity of parties. Democracy worked best under a two-party system. Mr. C. B, Tapley (Invercargill) seconded the motion, and referred appreciatively to tho great work already done by the women 'a organisations. Mr. Hamilton, who was greeted on rising 'with "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow, ' ' delivered the party's statement of general policy, after which Mr. George (Auckland) moved: "That this meeting of delegates of the New Zealand National Party in conference assembled, express its confldence in the Hon. Adam Hamilton as their leader, and pledge their abiding and loya! support." Mr. T. K. Sidey, Dunedin, in seconding the motion, said that Mr. Hamilton had proved himself already as a leader. Througk his business associations ke was well qualified to judge of the needs of every section of the community. He had a good insight into the city man's affairs, and he was quite conversant with the farmers' problems. Mr. Sidey said there was oue thing he. would like to emphasise, namely, that Mr. Hamilton had the young man's point of view, and he had progressive idoas. The motion waa enthsuiastically carried. Mr. C. IL Weston, K.C., waa unanimously re-elected as president of the party, and the following vice-presidents were elected: — Sir Heaton Rhodes (Christchurch), Mr. Lisle Alderton (Auckland), Mr. G. W. JLane (Dunedin), Mr. E. E. Haurmond (Wellington). The reports of the women 's organisations were made by Mrs. Stone (Wellington) and Dr. Hilda Northcroft, aud Mr. T. K. S. Sidey (Dunedin) reported on the progress of the junior leagues, and the steps that are to be taken- to develop this branch of the movement.' After organisation business was disposed of, the meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem-