NATIONAL PARTY CAMPAIGN.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20280, 24 August 1937, Page 9

NATIONAL PARTY CAMPAIGN.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondent “Somewhat Surprised’’ has somewhat surprised many of us. The “overwhelming majority" (?) of the present Government does not worry those who have invited Mr Mazengarb to this district on behalf of the National Party. There are still a few of us left who are looking for some light on th 6 political position and are prepared to go to a meeting to hear it. We have no option but to listen to Mr Savage at the fireside when the wireless is on. Shall we ever be relieved from those tedious tones assuring us that we lead the world, that there is nothing to worry about, that we must increase the purchasing power of the people, and (sepulchrally) that he will never let us down? Some day, perhaps! But perhaps “Somewhat Surprised" will come to the meeting after all. It might do him good. He seems oneeyed, but perhaps his hearing is good. —I am, etc..

AWFULLY SURPRISED. Hamilton, August 23. (To the Editor.) Sir, —I am glad to think that the meeting Mr Mazengarb Is going to address on Tuesday evening is an open meeting; quite different from previous meetings held in Hamilton by other members of the National Party. When I say National I mean the old Tory Party in disguise—a name the present National Party apparently realises is not popular with the intelligent electors of New Zealand. The idea of dropping Messrs Forbes and Coates Is undoubtedly a “stunt" to gull the public into the belief that the National Party is a new party, with new blood infused into Its leaders. I can only remind them of the fact that its present leader, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, better known as the New Zealand station-jammer, is one of the oldest Tories in New Zealand.

We should now be able to get this long-unhatched policy of the party who went around New Zealand asking the business men to formulate one for them. Surely the egg with the polloy therein has hatched after this long sitting of over twelve months. Mr Mazengarb, the speaker at Tuesday’s meeting, who is representing this old Tory Party, may be able to tell us: (1) What Government was in power during clothes drives anil what steps they took to remedy them; (2) cut down old-age, widows, soldiers’ and veterans’ pensions; (8) asked married relief workers to exist on 27s 6d and pay house rents; (4) put single able-bodied men in camps and paid them 10s per week; (5) gave as a subsidy £16,000 of the unemployment funds to the Southland Freezing company, a company which paid a 28 per cent, dividend? If Mr Mazengarb will answer those questions we will then see what sort of a party he represents and compare it with our present people’s party—the great Labour Party.—l am, etc., HAM TON ELECTOR. Hamilton, Augim. 22. (To the Editor.) Sir,—A letter appeared In Saturday’s Times signed “Somewhat Surprised,” evidently an Individual speaking for the public of his own personal beliefs, lie will not need to be awake for more than forty hours a week to notice growing uneasiness of the majority of the community. The present Government has not an overwhelming majority of supporters and fs administering the affairs of this country on a 46 per cent. vote.

The recent reception to Mr Savage and Mr Nash by an organised section of Ministers of the Crown, local body officials, union secrelaries and Labour supporters carries little weight, and is by no means a sign of confidence in the present Government. As is generally noted, it takes few of certain of the above supporters to make a demonstration. Finally, it would be appreciable and to the advantage of “Somewhat Surprised” If he would attend Mr O. C. Mazengard’s meeting, as genuine criticism is constructive, and he might , bo assisted in balancing his views.—l am, etc., ONE NATIONAL DEMOCRAT. | Oliaupo, August 23. i (To the Editor ) Sir, —“Somewhat Surprised” (In Saturday's issue) is not ns surprised as 1 am supposing him lo be a grown man. His intelligent remarks regarding. the National Party certainly challenge a reply. Unfortunately he lias apparently been living in a dream during the past few months, and I feel it. only kind to bring him to realities ] Firstly, the town hall at Auckland was far’ from filled for the reception recent months' almost every labour unit lias had strikes and union dissension—the i irakei carpenters arc Hie latest.. These are (or were) the main props of the Labour Government, and the fir- ' to receive consideration tiv legisla ft V’><* troubles arc brooming int*. casingly bitter and more difficult for Hie various Ministers to settle. Is “Somewhat Surprised” sufficiently awake lo wonder why? The majority lof workers are thoroughly dis- ! illusioned. The lure of high wages land short hours has discounted toy extraordinary increases in every | broken election pledge -too 'numerous ito parlieularis" is flaunted: every day furl her eiicroac.lnneri! is made on individual riglils. linlil ever;. low!i posi'l!on ’will come next \ feeling akin lo panic te growing, and if the avowed socialistic ' programme now toeing evolved every sane elector in I New Zealand will be behind them. “Somewhat Surprised" shoui i go <r> j the meeting, hear an authority on the subject, and probably bo even more surprised. lam a mere observer, but still aide to see for myself Hie inevitable result of Hip present trend ot affairs in our mnee) free New Zealand.—! am, etc., ANTI-SUYIET. I Hamilton, August 23.