NEW POLITICAL PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1921, Page 1

NEW POLITICAL PARTY

STATEMENT BY MR 0. E

STATHAM

DUNEDIN, March 28

Interviewed to-day, Mr ('. E. Statliam, M.P., said he had telegraphed accepting the position of national president of the National Progressive and loderatc Labour Party. He had done so because he believed that the new party was one which might truly he termed a Young New Zealand Party, and one which would he representative of the whole of that great loyal section of the community which stood between extreme Conservatism on the one hand and revoliftionary Socialism on the other. The aims and aspirations of loyal Labour would find expression through the new party, whose platform Mould he broad, based on the principles

, of justice, humanity, and brotherhood, i The movement to form the party had received most gratifying encouragement in the north, added Air Statham, and he had good reason to believe that it would find willing and enthusiastic supporters throughout the whole Dominion. Naturally, attempts would he made by political opponents to belittle the movement, hut lie could say definitely that tin' new organisation meant business, and had come to stav.

Although Mr Statham could not give much information at the present juncture, he could give the assurance that the new party would stand for sound and sane finance, the development of the country, the encouragement of primary and secondary industries and commerce, and the cessation of that irritating and indeterminate policy which had so ha missed business men during recent years. He hoped that the new party would succeed in bringing about a new era of industrial peace, and a period ol progress and prosperity that would lie enjoyed not by a IVW hut by every section of the eommunitv. Above

all. the new party was out to lend a helping hand to those least able to help themselves, and to restore New Zealand In the proud position she had once occupied in leading the world in progressive legislation.