Split Denied

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 199, 8 September 1937, Page 7

Split Denied

-Press Association,)

THE NATIONAL, PARTY

"Never So Well Organised," Says Leader ENCOURAG1NG REPORTS

(By Telegraph -

AUCKLAND, Lhst Night. Rumours that the resdgnation of Mr. Lisle Alderton and of the executive of the Auckland division of the Natioual Party,- heralded a split in the party in' this city, met with an immodiate denial from Hon.- Adam Hamilton, leader of the Oppositon, from Mr, Alderton and from other National PaTty ofticers, when they were questioncd, following the morning session of tho annual conference of the division to-day. "It has been merely a happy xe-. organisation and there has not been the slightest thought of any division in our forces," said Mr. Hamilton. "Naturally, we represent a body of people who are not disciplined like Labour forces. We, believe in the utmost freedom and we expect the utmost loyalty.' ' * ' 'The fact that to-day we have elected Mr. George Mills, prominent on the old: United Party executive and an exMayor of Birkenhead, as our Auckland chairman, indicates that we are keeping to the spirit of the National Party, It was a Very happy and very enthusiastie meeting and the officers were elected unanimously. ' ' . "The National Party has never been so well organised in its history a3 to-day and I have never before secn such political interest in every s6ction of the comnlunity. It is a happy augury at a period when the eleotion is not yet in sight. It was very eucouraging to hear reports from rural districts and to hear als0 of the progress being made all over the country." Qyestioned regarding his resignation, Mr. Lisle Alderton laughed at the suggestion that he had resigned from the presidency of the Auckland division because of a difference of opinion with other members. It was merely that he had found the task too onerous to carry on in addition to his other activities. ' He said it was indicative of his ' position in the party that the division had recommended him as a national vice-president. Similar denials were made by other officers of the party, it being pointed Out that officers were only elected for a year and that, in the present instance, there had been no suggestion of any split in the ranks causing members to re'Sigfi in a body. The party WAs merely .reorganising its forces,Present at the conference to-day were the leader of the party, Mr. A. Hamilton, and the Dominion president, Colonel C. Weston, K.C. Mr. G. Mills was elected chairman with the following central executive: Dr. Hilda North* croft, Messrs. F. W. Doidge, C. George, L, Alderton, J. Gricrson (all re-olectod), Maxwell Walker, J. W. Kealy, A, G. Quartley, A, Grayson, G. L, Taylor, D. Hay, J. M. Melville and Colonel Spragg. Messrs. Mills and George were elected I metropolitan members of the. Dominion council and Mr. Alderton was r.ecqmmended to the Dominion council as a dominion vice-president. , During the session, Mr. B. G. Edwards, divisional organiser, Teported on the activities of the party in tho province, stating fhat there was eon* siderable progress in the couhtry districts partieularly. Mr. Hamilton also addressed the meeting expressing his satisfaction with the progress of organisation throughout New Zealand. This afternoon members of the conference were addressed by Colonel (Weston. "