NATIONAL PARTY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 February 1939, Page 8

NATIONAL PARTY

CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE PUBLIC LEADER’S ANNOUNCEMENT. ‘•TRUTH OF THE SITUATION AS WE SEE IT.” (Bv Telegraph—Press Association » INVERCARGILL. February 15. -If our people are not concerned at the present slate of cur country they should be. It will be our job to try to awaken them to a sense of their public responsibility, a responsibility for the future welfare of our people that they cannot lightly escape." said the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon A. Hamilton, in announcing a National party campaign to infofih and educate public opinion in New Zealand about the truth of the situation as the National Party sees it. "I may be asked tvhat- wo pi'ebose to do further now that the Pfiihe Minister has refused to call Parliahfent to ; gether to consider the present state of affairs' in New Zealand. He stales that there are no special circumstances and no drift today that would warrant such a course.

"While we must accept the Prime Minister’s assurances, many of its have grave doubts about the present position. and also about the future of otif country," said Mr itarhiltdh. "As iheihbers of the National 'Party we intist now accept the only altei-native that is open to us, that of informing and educating public opinion about the truth of the situation as we see it. This we intend to do from time to time, both through the daily Press and from the platform. "I expect to be leaving soon for Wellington, where I shall arrange for this publicity campaign, Electoi however, must themselves accept responsibility for the present situation, as it was they who placed the preont Government in power. I Hope to visit personally most of the electorates before the ordinary session begins, meeting our supporters and discussing with them the more serious aspects of government and the necessity for keeping our organisation, in good fighting trim so that we can play our full part in Hip government of our country whenever the necessity may arise and whatever form it may take.

-Mirny persons may be restless be* cause of what has happened since the eleelions," said Mr Hamilton, “but it must not bo forgotten that we of the National Party stand by our British democratic system of government and its method of election. The effective time, therefore, to talk and fight is before an election. It is the electors votes that govern this country when the fight' is over and the people have expressed their choice. It is for each to'get on with his job, and we are going to get on with our task of informing and educating public opinion'about ways arid means of obtaining a sound and progressive Government in Now Zealand. "Our grC-at lir-riiagd is al stake, a heritage that, has been built up over trie past century. This heritage has been Hie pride of oar people and lias obtained for us a prominent place in the minds and hearts of oitr British people." Mr Hamilton concluded.