“ACT OF DICTATORSHIP”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1938, Page 7

“ACT OF DICTATORSHIP”

MR SAVAGE AND ELECTION BROADCASTS NATIONAL PARTY LEADER'S CRITICISM (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “An act of Communist dictatorship" was the description applied by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Adam Hamilton, last evening to the announcement of the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon M. J. Savage, in the House of Representatives yesterday that he would reserve the right to broadcast at any time during the general election campaign. Mr Hamilton was speaking at a reception held at the National Club, Wellington, in honour of National candidates for Parliament. Mr Hamilton declared that the Prime Minister had expressed himself in a manner almost repulsive. The Opposition were prevented by Standing Orders, as well as by the desire to preserve the close-of-session atmosphere, for giving expression to their feelings. “Mr Savage showed that he was prepared to wield the power of State for his own interests,” said Mr Hamilton. “He told us he was going to broadcast on his own account. He will have the sole right to broadcast when and where he likes. That is the type of thing we can expect if this Government gets control of the country again.” “We are working out our policy, and you will very likely see it in the Press before the Prime Minister announces his. We hope to have it before he broadcasts next Thursday night. I notice he has Thursday, and he/is giving me Friday night, when everybody is out shopping. We can see through their tricks, and we will turn them to our own advantage. The public of New Zealand will not stand for any unfair tactics or bad sportsmanship. “We are going to fight an election that ipay determine the destiny of this couhtry for many years to come. We are going forward with greater faith and hope, in the confidence that our cause is a worthy one and that duty calls us to give of our best to free our country from the shackles of Socialism. We have no wish to change the system which has served our country so well.”