NATIONAL PARTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 8

NATIONAL PARTY

DOMINION CAMPAIGN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC TOUR OF LEADER I Per Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, Feb. 15. “If our people are not concerned at the present state of our 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 inform and educate public opinion in New Zealand about the truth of the situation as the National Party sees it. “I may be asked what we propose to do further now that the Prime Minister has refused to call Parliament. together to consider the present state of affairs in New Zealand. He states that, there are no special circumstances and no drift to-day that, would warrant such a course. “While we must accept the Prime Minister's assurances, many of us have grave doubts about the present position, and also about, the future of our country,” said Mr. Hamilton. "As members of the National Party we must now accept the only alternative 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. Electors Responsible “1 expect to be leaving soon for Wellington, where 1 shall arrange for this publicity campaign. Electors, however. must themselves accept responsibility for the present, situation, as it was they who placed the present 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 the government of our country whenever the necessity may arise and whatever form it may take. “Many persons may be restless because of what, has happened since the elections," said Mr. Hamilton, “but. it must, not be 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 lo gel on with his job, and we are going to get on with our task of informing and educating public opinion about ways and means of obtaining a sound and progressive Government in New Zealand. “Our great heritage is at stake, a heritage that has been built up over the past century. This heritage has been the pride of our people and has obtained for us a prominent place in the minds and hearts of our British people," Mr. Hamilton concluded.