The Year Ahead

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 83, 31 December 1937, Page 3

The Year Ahead

— Preaa Association.)

MOMENTOUS PERIOD Mr. Adam Hamilton's Review of Conditions POLITICAL FUTURE

(By Telegraph-

INVERCARGILL, Last Night. "As leader of a Party which reprer sents a large body of political opinion in New Zealand it is my privilege to extend New Year greetings to the people of the' Dominion," said the leader of the Opposition, Hon. Adam Hamilton, in a New Year message issued to-day. "The period immediately ahead of us is likely to prove one of the most momentous in the history of New Zealand," Mr. Hamilton adtRa, "and it is our duty to face tho future with determination and vigour. The year 1937 has been one of great development and great change. Throughout the world forms of government ttave been altered and new political philosophies have changed the living conditions of peoples in several countries. "In looking forward to the year that is just beginning, I feel that the people of New Zealand will be ready to meet and adjust themselves to the new forces which are 'making themselves felt all over the world, but I feel that our facility to do this will depend upon the measure of interest which the people as a whole display in the affairs of the Dominion and the part they take in public life. We are embarking upon what may prove to be a momentous year for New Zealand, a year when a new Government must be chosen at a general election. "It is probable that at no time in the history of the Dominion have the people been so politically minded or so keenly alive to their public responsibilities as they are to-day. Men and women in every section of the eommunity are taking an active part in public affairs, and I look forward to 1938 hopefully and confldently, believing that this interest will find- an intelligent expression in the choice of wise counsels to govern the Dominion when the correet time comes." Mr. Hamilton said he did not think it was necessary to apologise for sounding a political note in a New Year message. Politics to-day touched the lives and interests of every individual and of every section of the eommunity. The business of law-making had greater and more serious repercussions than ever before, and the position was such that the development of a keen political sense throughout the Dominion was a matier of urgent importance. "This New Year message is, issued in no narrow spirit of partisanship, " Mr. Hamilton continued. "I have no hesitation in extending the good wishes of

my colleagues and myself to the Prime Minister and members of his Government. We are opponents politically, but neither at the .New Year nor at any other time is it necessary to fight a political battle with personalities. "As I see the political situation to- - day supremely important principles are at stake and I should like to make an appeal to all people to base their political opinions on these matters of prineiple, ignoring the reckless and frenzied propaganda which has been coming from certain sources of late and which represents nothing but the outpourings of fixed ideas," said Mr. Hamilton. "We admit that the Labour Party has its_ principles. It believes — sincereiy, I think— in a collectivist order of society with the individual subjugated to the State. Against this wo believe in individual freedom with the State serving the people, not the people serving the State. "No political party in this country has a monopoly of humanitarian ideals. The National Party believes that the ideal state of society is that in which the individual has freedom and encouragement to raise the eommunity standards by his own efforts. In this respeet it is necessary that the people in looking to the future should also hav« an eye to the past. It is impossible to overestimate the value of the historieal sense. Society must progress and any political party that stands in the way of progress is doomed to failure. But in this niarch of progress we should see to it that we carry with us those ideals and institutions which have stood the test of- time, which have become inherent in our British character and which are well worth preserving for the future. "To-day somo of those ideals and institutions are being jettisoned because of the mistaken belief that they stand in the way of progress. • This tendcncy must be checked and for our 'own national wellbeing the virtues of initiative, endeavour, thrift and prudence must be guardcd at all costs. "As leader of his Majesty's Opposition in Parliament I can say that we view the future with every eoniidence. Some of our political opponents are endeavouring to create the impression that we are working against the liberty of the people. Nothing could be further from tiu truth. ,W« have jjledged our-

selves to guard the individual 's liberties— the libcrties of the worxers Just as much as those of any other section of society — and at the dawn of the New Year we renew that pledge. "To members and supporters of the National Party throughout New Zealand," Mr. Hamilton concluded, "3 wish to express my deep gratitude for their loyalty and assistance during the past 12 moaths and to wish them all prosperity and happiness during the coming year with the ultimate triumph of the principles in which we believe."