PEOPLE’S WELFARE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20732, 16 February 1939, Page 6

PEOPLE’S WELFARE

CONCERN EXPRESSED NATIONAL PARTY CAMPAIGN EDUCATING PUBLIC OPINION cßv Telegraph.—Press Association) INVERCARGILL, \Vodnesday “If our people are not concerned at Hie present slate of our country, they should be. it will be our job to try to awaken them to the sense of their public responsibility, a responsibility for tiie future welfare of our people that they cannot lightly escape,” said the Leader of the Opposition. Hie Hon. A. Hamilton, in announcing a National Party campaign to inform and educate public opinion in New Zealand about the truth of tiie -situation as tjie 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,” stated Mr Hamilton. •‘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. Tho Only Alternative “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. “I expect to be leaving soon for Wellington, where I shall arrange for this publicity campaign,” continued Mr Hamilton. “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 Hie more serious aspects of government .and the necessity for keeping our organisation in good fighting trim, so that wc ( u play our full part in the government of our country whenever the necessity may arise and whatever form it may take. Heritage at Stake “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 method of election. The effective time, therefore, to talk and light 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 and means of obtaining sound 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 (he pride of our people and has obtained for us a prominent place in the minds and hearts of our. British people.”