CRITICS CRITICISED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20990, 18 December 1939, Page 13

CRITICS CRITICISED

MR SAVAGE HITS OUT HAMILTON PROTEST MEETING SUBVERSIVE PROPAGANDA Referring to the recent mass meeting of businessmen, shop assistants and farmers in Hamilton, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, declared in a broadcast address last night: ” That is how some people are helping New Zealand to win the war. If you ask me, I seriously believe there are people who are doing their ! level best to wreck the Government in all its military, as well as economic activities, instead of helping us to win the war.” Mr Savage said that no Government liked taking or using the powers of the war regulations and their enactments, but if it were found in New Zealand that the safety of the fighting forces was endangered by irresponsible criticisms the Government would act without fear or favMr Savage said the Government had been given wonderful help in its war efforts by some sections of political parties, but the assistance was not universal. Government Under Fire The Government was being shot at from both the Left and the Right, while the enemy was at the wall. If the mass of the people was really influenced by some of the statements made recently—but happily it was not—no Government would survive, and if the Government fell the dangers of the State would still exist. The Prime Minister proceeded to pay tribute to the thousands of New Zealanders serving in the various fighting forces. He made particular mention of the recent naval engagement, and the part played by H.M.S. Achilles. “ Would anyone,” he asked, “ tell me the Government should not take every care of the welfare and safety of our men, and the people of the British Commonwealth of Nations? I humbly raise my hat to them and will see the foundations of their existence in peace and war are not destroyed. “ Those attempting to destroy confidence in their own country, by declaring that it is bankrupt and making other equally stupid representations, are not friends of New Zealand or the British Commonwealth of Nations,” said Mr Savage. “ Notwithstanding everything that has been written and said for public consumption, the approaching festive season will find the great mass of the people in this country as well off as, if not better off than, it has been in New Zealand’s history.