NATIONAL PARTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 204, 30 July 1937, Page 2

NATIONAL PARTY.

ADDRESS TO ELECTORS. MR 11. F. TOOGOOD AT RONCOTEA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) RONGOTEA, July 29. Mr H. F. Toogood, of AA’ellington, had a. splendid audience at the Coronation Hall. Rongotea, on Tuesday evening, when lie addressed a gathering arranged by the local branch of the National Party. There wore also on tho platform with him Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Messrs J. Nash, J. Linklater, A. Btirgces, and R. O. Gloyn. Mr L. H. Yarrall was in the chair and welcomed the visitors, alter which Mr D. Rowe led a community sing, while Airs D. Rowe, Miss Joan Bovis (Palmerston North), and Mr Adrian Rowe also contributed items. Mr Toogood prefaced his address with a few remarks on the orderly way in which the meeting received him. In his own community he was used to considerable interruption when addressing political meetings, he said, and to be so very cordially received was a new experience. He urged hie hearers to sink petty differences and link up with the National Party, whose aim was to respect the majority and protect tho minority. It was not to be expected that all electors would agree on minor points, but allowance should bo made for that. Gradually, the British people had evolved a party system and it worked woll in a democracy; but where potty differences were allowed to prevail there could only ho chaos. This had made possible events in tho recent election, when 24 mom hers were returned on a minority vote. The constitution of the National Party allowed any financial member to be nominated to represent it, and it was the most democratic of all. During the Dominion’s history there never until lately had been class government, but at last class government was being instituted. In support of this statement the speaker quoted the principle of compulsory unionism, and read extracts from Labour publications to show that the 212 industrial unions in existence in New Zealand were being merged into one big union for tho purposo of political power and to control a quarter million votes. The obect was Socialism, the taking over by the State of the means of production, transport, and exchange. Militnnt unionism was being developed, which if not checked would develop into Socialism, and the negation of all competition. The Government would then take over all land and industries, leaving men _to become State serfs. There was a distinct line of cleavage between the National and the Labour parties. The issue was very serious and again he would urge on all to enrol in the National Party, which had as its leader a man' of tact, clear knowledge, and balanced views in Mr Adam Hamilton. Loud cheers followed the close of the address. Mr A. Burgess moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker for his vigorous and educational address and this was carried by. prolonged acclamation. Hon. J. G. Cobbe also spoke briefly, and stated that direct taxation last year was the highest ever recorded, being e3l 000.000 or £99.000 for every working dav’ 'The object of the Labour Party as outlined by its loaders was to bring in an irreligious Socialism. The errors of the party to-day would have to be borne by the children of to-morrow. Those present, were entertained at supper bv tho ladies’ committee with Mrs A. Burgess and Mrs C. Davison a« conveners and a most .enjoyable social hour was spent.