NATIONAL PARTY CONFIDENT

Chronicle (Levin), 4 May 1946, Page 8

NATIONAL PARTY CONFIDENT

WELLINGTON, Jlay 3. Clianges in the elecLoral liouiidaries were amoiig the matters discussed at a meeting of the' Dominion executive of ! the National Party held today. ,In a statement after the meeting, the j president, Mr. W. J. Sim, K.C., said there had been a full attendance ot , members from eash_of the iive divisions. The leader of the Partv, Mr. S. G. Holland, in pi'esenting a report 011 his recent speaking tour througliout New Zealand following the successful Baglan by-election, had reported overliow attendances which were evidence that the swing in public opinion in the North Island was equally evident in the SoutJi Island even in such a traditional labour stronghold as Greymouth. The live divisional chairmen ha/! given detailed reports on the clianges in their areas and had Teported on the prospects for the general election. Their opinion had been that, •notwith.standing the fact that six seats held by National Party members had been wiped out, a careful review had given every ground for confidence in the party 's prospects of gaining a majority next November. It was stated that the National Party has preparations well ahead for the selection of eandidates as soon as the fmal fmdings of the Bepresentatiou Commission are lcnown. The meeting decided to adhere strictlv to the principle embodied in the rulcs of the National Party that candidates shall be selec'ted by a secret ballot of linancial members of the party in eacli eleetorate. The meeting also transacted routine business including discussions on policy, remits from party branclies, and preliminary preparations for the general election eanipaign. Mr. Him said the efticient fashion in which the radieal clianges in the electorates had been dealt with by the Nati.onal Party, was a tribute to its effective organisation and also the .enthusiasm of its officials and volunteer workers.