National Party Methods

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 29, 28 October 1937, Page 6

National Party Methods

1 E. S.

BIBBY,

Sir, — The intemperate outbreaks of at least three Cabihet Ministers in resentment of what they deemed to be criticism of themselves has prompted the suggestion that the present Ministry might expeet to go down in history as "the thin-skinned Ministry." I have noticed bow many of the various public utterances of Ministers of late have been devoted to what is popularly termed "scratching the backs" of their confreres in office. Possibly this is resulting in the Ministerial cuticles wearing somewhat thin. Mr. ChriStie 's little outburst in tonight 's paper suggests that the title "thin-skinned" can be applied as aptly to the Government party as to its Ministers. Thosfi of us who had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Harker's address at Ongaonga know how unreasonable is Mr. Cliristie's criticism of him. The speaker certainly did warn us that Communism was seeking to raiso its ugly head in New Zealand, and he read extracts from a New Zealand publication which proved that its insidious propaganda was at work instilling poispn into young and impressionable minds.' He explained that Communism was propagate'd by three prineipal means: (1) Clever foreign propaganda. (2) By the greed of those in the community who want somothing for ndthing and think that Communism will give it to them. (3). Lastly, but not least, by the selfishness of those big vested interests which placed dividends before (service. Does Mr. Christie disagree? And does he suggest that our Communists •are supporting the National Party? Mr. Harker further pointed out that the place for all men who honestly believed that the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange, withv*all that that doctrine implies, was in the ranks of the Labour Party, but that, on the other hand, the proper .place for those who believed. that Socialism waa the enemy of true democraey, and that it was not the form of Go^rnment best suited to a British people, was in the ranks of the National Party. I echo his appeal for the same loyalty, energy and dovotion to its cause among the Nationalists as we saw at the last election in Mr. Christie 's party. It will be unnecessary for me to tell anyone acquainted with Mr. Harker that we did not liear any such nonsense from him as "the wellknown lawyer" is reported to have told your correspondent 's elderly friend. After listening-in to the mutual admiration society now occupying the Government benches, it was refreshing to the people of Ongaonga to listen to a speaker who could get away from personalities and, in the words of the proposeT of the vote of thanks, give us some healthy, even if unpalatable, home truths, and lift politics on to a hieffi plane.— Yours. etc.,

Ongaonga, Ocf. 27, 1937.