NATIONAL PARTY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 70, 26 June 1942, Page 5

NATIONAL PARTY

CANDIDATES APPROVED SOUTH AUCKLAND DIVISIONT A full representation of delegates from all parts of the district attended the annual meeting of the New Zealand National Partj r , South Auckland Division, in Hamilton on Saturday night. Mr \V. A-. Clark (Thames electorate) presided, and gave a brief but comprehensive, review of the past year's work. Confirmation of candidates for various electorates at the next general election was made as follows:— Messrs W. J. Broadfoot, M.P., Waitomo; F. W. Doidge, M.P., Tauranga; VV. S. Goosman, M.P., Waikato; F. Findlay, Hamilton; W. Sullivan, M.P., Bay of Plenty; A. S« Sutherland, M.P., Hauraki. Mr H. E. Walters (Waitomo) was elected chairman of the division, with Mr A. M. Bisley (Hamilton) deputy-chairman. The following executive was R..D. Fisher (Waitomo), H. Johnstone (Raglan), J. Matson (Waitomo), W. A, Clark (Thames), A. Davis (Hauraki), Mesdames Trembath (Hamil-t ton) and Campbell (Hauraki). Mr A. Gordon (Hamilton) was nominated for the Dominion presidency of the party, and Mr W. "AClark (Thames) for the vice-presi-dency, with Mrs V. Wilson (Bay of Plenty) as the woman vice-presi-dent. Mr F. J. Short (Bay of Plenty) and Mrs Campbell (Hamilton) were nominated for appointment to the Dominion Council as delegates from the South Auckland Division. United Administration Mr W. A. Clark said that the National Part}' since the outbreak of war had consistently" advocated the formation of a National Government, believing that only by the establishment of a combined administration could political and national unity be secured, and New Zealand enabled to give its maximum to the war effort. "The Avar and its associated activities have had, as one might expect, an effect on political activities." said Mr Clark. "Our people are undoubtedly preoccupied with what is happening in the various theatres of conflict, and their time and energy at home are largely taken up with the collection of funds, in home defence, E.P.S., and other forms of patriotic activity."

Referring to the by-elections for Bay of Plenty and Hauraki, the chairman said the party organisation functioned admirably in both electorates, and added that the question as to whether an election would be held this year depended on theattitude by the Government and the Labour Party in the discussions now proceeding between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Op-

position

After the business had been completed, a social evening was held, In the form of a party rally, in the National Club lounge with Mr W. T. Luxton (Matangi) presiding. A : varied programme was contributed, including addresses by Messrs Doidge Goosman, Sullivan and Sutherland. Contributors to the music programme were Mr and Mrs Harvey, Misses E. Shaw and Waite, Messrs K. P. Eade and W. Harrison. Government's Opportunity Mr Clark said that if the Government were prepared to make such concessions as were necessary to establish a combined administration, either by the formation of a National Government or by the reconstitution of the War Cabinet, giving full executive powers and control over those departments of State whose activities impinged on the war effort, the probability was that the general election would be postponed. Failing a settlement which would give adequate representation to the Opposition, or satisfy the demand of the general public for national unity, it would appear that ant election Avas inevitable.