NEW POLITICAL PARTY

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17107, 31 March 1921, Page 6

NEW POLITICAL PARTY

MB T. K. STDEY'S ATTITUDE,

(SPECIAL TO "the rRESS."I

DUNEDIN, March 30. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., interviewed on the new party, pointed out that the aims and aspirations of the- party, as far as they had been expressed, joined with those of the Liberal Party, which, among other things, stood for the recognition of the human element in legislation, for helping the weak, for the extension of State functions wherever necessary, to effectively control monopolies or to conserve natural resources for the. prevention of land aggregation, for tho removal of extremes of wealth wherever it could bo don© without diminishing the incentive to produce, arid for the accomplishment of its objects by constitutional means. The Liberal Party at present occupied a similar position between two extremes, and it was under the Lilxwu Party that. New Zealand had led the world in progressive legislation, as mentioned In' Mr Statham. It was an historical party, with great traditions, and it was to it that the workers owed their political emancioation in this country.' though tho Liberal Party was reduced in numbers in tho House, largely through t.he splitting of votes at tho last elections, Liberal sentiment was still strong in the country, and it only awaited a suitable opportunity in which to give itself adequate expression. The by-elections since the last general elections showed that it was still a force in the cOuntfjr. "There is no room," said Mr Sidoy, "for two parties so nearly approximating in 'their objects, and if the now party means business, tis lnjs been suggested, it and tho Liberal Pnrtv must join forces in furtherance of their common aim's."