WAR POLITICS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 October 1939, Page 5

WAR POLITICS

ATTITUDE OF THE NATIONAL PARTY SOCIALISTIC MEASURES i OPPOSED. MR HAMILTON’S SURVEY. / (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, October 11. "Some people may be wondering, seeing that the Opposition has offered the Government full co-operation during the war, why it so strenuously opposed some of the measures brought forward by the Government, specially during the latter days of the session," said the Leader of the Opposition. Mi Adam Hamilton, in a statement toda; "Members of the National Parij 1 will play their full part in war efforts ~ in whatever capacity they may be, | ailed upon to serve,” he said. "In itI .ask of running the country at war I he Government continues to have thI lull co-operation of the Opposition c I operation that was freely offered I?; | the Opposition and accepted by th. I Government from periods immediately 1 before war was formally declared." However, extensive overlapping in recent political developments in the House of Representatives, of what might be termed ordinary party legislation. much of it of major and farreaching character, and war emergency legislation, made it imperative and desirable that he should make a clear statement on behalf of the Opposition to the people of the Dominion. Extraordinary and far-reaching powers had been taken by the Government with such measures as the Reserve Bank amendment and taxing Acts and the marketing amendment. Such extreme steps along the road to socialism in this Dominion could not go unchallenged. None of thoge measures could be justified as war dfnergency measures, and, in the opinion of the Opposition, their effects would be most injurious and damaging.

"None can deny that these measures were not free from either the fact or the suspicion that the Government was exploiting the situation to further its own ideas of socialisation,” said Mr Hamilton. "None can deny, either, that they were introduced without the full co-operation and approval of business and producing interests, and without recognition of the full experience and knowledge of those interests. "In the House on these occasions we fought every inch of the way, and I was proud of our team during the prolonged resistance put up against these proposals, as they were forced hurriedly through Parliament in the dying stages of an extraordinary session. Throughout all-night sittings magnificcent resistance was maintained, and I would particularly mention new members who strengthened the attack and fought vigorously and effectively.” As to war work, he knew the people needed no urging for them to ,play a full part cheerfully in carrying the Dominion through the hour of tribl and danger. To this extent the Government had the unreserved co-operation of everyone, supporter and opponent alike. ■

“It cannot be made too clear, however, that the co-operation of the Opposition does not extend into the normal political field," added Mr Hamilton: "The legislative developments of the last week have shown that our people must be more than ever vigilant. One gratifying feature is that Parliament should adjourn and not close down. For Parliament to .be ‘on call’ is sensible and desirable.”