NATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1938, Page 7

NATION

PRESIDENT j OF VI \ anticipation 49 SEA SOCIALISM. OUT L (By Telegraph—Press WELLINGTO. . Confidence that the . National Party would rej iury benches with a subsv ity on Saturday week wt by the president of the p. H. Weston, K.C., when he viewed yesterday. Today the party orgamsati priseci over 1000 branches all cc with headquarters at Wei. through electorate and divisional <. mittees. said Mr Weston. This close a- • relation, forming one corporate bouj. enabled an accurate analysis of the strength of the two rival parties to be made. , . “The reports from the branch chairmen and from electorate organisers, based upon house-to-house canvass and the unprecedented enthusiasm of oui thousands of voluntary workers, is that there is a definite swing away from Socialism toward freedom and security,” said Mr Weston. “On a very conservative basis, excluding all doubtful and, of course, all definitely Labour seats, I am confident that not fewe* than 49 National members will be returned. “Our committees are unanimous in reporting support from the women of the Dominion, and from the younger voters. The former are convinced of the sincerity of Mr Hamilton’s policy in determining that their interests shall be protected. “Promises to relieve them from unemployment tax on wages and salaries, and to appoint a Ministry of Social Welfare, have done a great deal to create this feeling of satisfaction, but underlying that is a resentment against so much of the present Government’s legislation, which in practice has placed unforeseen burdens upon the housewife and the girl who has to earn her own livipg. The younger voters, we gauge, regard a future in a Socialist State with dismay. Workers in shops and industries are apprehensive of present Labour Government interference. with business and realise that the continuance of their jobs depends in a large measure upon removing the present fear and uncertainty and substituting confidence and security. • “A big poll is indicated, both sides being impressed with the necessity of getting every vote recorded.” MR HAMILTON’S PLANS PROSPECTS CONSIDERED FAVOURABLE. SERIOUSNESS OF ISSUE BEFORE ELECTORS. INVERCARGILL, October 5. “The seriousness of the' issue the electors are asked to decide will turn the scales in our favour,” said the Hon Adam Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, in discussing his party’s prosoectc. “Conditions throughout the Wallace electorate are more favourable than they have ever been.” he said. “I am delighted to see Mr Savage and so many Cabinet Ministers paying Southland. a visit, but they have very little chance cf affecting the election and I am carrying on the campaign with the utmost confidence.” Mr Hamilton said he would finish his campaign at the end of the week, when he would leave for the north, and it would be in full confidence that his electorate would return him.

“Prospects for New Zealand are more in our favour than in favour of the Labour Party,” he continued. “I know the mind of electors through the organisation we have, and the fine type of candidate the National Party has standing. The seriousness of the issue electors will be asked to decide will turn the scales in our favour. I am confident of that.

“The very fact that so many Cabinet Ministers are scuttling about New Zealand shows the anxiety in their minds about the result of the coming poll. I am almost half-way through the campaign of my own electorate, Wallace, and the atmosphere lias been splendic; and reflects/the attitude of almost all electorates.”

Mr Hamilton will leave his own district at the weekend, and on Monday evening will give a political address in Dunedin. This speech will not be broadcast, but the radio will be at his disposal when he speaks in Wellington next Wednesday. Mr Hamilton will then leave for Auckland and on the night before polling day he will speak in the Auckland Town Hall. This speech will not be broadcast, but on the same evening, Mr Hamilton will deliver a short studio broadcast, summing up the case for his party, immediately preceding a similar broadcast which is to be given by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon M. J. Savage, on behalf of the Labour Party.