WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

A NEW POLITICAL PARTY. GOSSIP AND SPECULATION. [Special To The Guardian.] WELLINGTON. October 31. 'i'hi 1 “New Zealand Times” lias woven the gossip of the clubs and the street corners concerning the formation of a new political party into an entertaining little story. “There is a movement afoot,” it says by wav of introduction, “for tile formation of u new political party, and, unless the proposals break down in the meantime, it is fairly certain that it will take definite shape in Wellington and in the other chief i entresol' the Uomiuon very shortly.” From this the paper proceeds to indicate* tin* character and constitution of (lie. new party. “It appears,” it continues. "that certain commercial interests are behind the movement, mill that the party t- 1)0 formed will he in the main a ba-iue-s men's party, irrespective of whai it. will be called.” For this, ii sfeiiis, it has the authority of a. gentleman with inside knowledge iti regard to the movement. Even among commercial men with strong personal leanings towards the Reform Party there is an expressed determination -,o it is said, that a change-must be made as soon as possible. Afr Massey must go :ll, d another loader must he found. The Prim© Minister’s deposition is necessary, it appears, because I,is Government has neglected many things that matter and so landed the country into grave economic and financial difficulties. A COAfAIF.RCfAD PARTY. The “Times” emphasises this point in a few terse sentences. “It is argued,” it- says, “that, finance, trade and commerce are not. being looked after as well as they should be, and to this argument is added the contention that belter results are not to he expected with the House of Representatives constituted as it is al present, 'll is further contended that, to put the country on a sounder footing commercially and financially a commercial men's party is needed.” The contention is no new one. 11 has been iterated in Ihi* city for many months past and even the Government’s best friend*, have had little, to say ill its defence in this respect. The truth is that wit'n the exception oi' the Piime Alinister himself, and Air Dowuie Slewart,, who has charge of the 'treasury duing Air .Massey’s absence lrom the Dominion, then 1 is not- a. single member of the Reform Party in the House who has more than a nodding acquaintance with the problems that are said to be exercising the minds of (he promoters of the new parly. There can lie no possible doubt about the need lop the better representation of trade and commerce in Parliament, hut just how it is going to he obtained is an extremely difficult problem. THE PERSONAL ELEMENT. Meanwhile It- is alleged by Hie “Times", that the authors of t-lie now evangel are going to he no respecters of persons or parties. “It the aims or the new party become effective, their prophet dechuvs. ‘'the deposition of Mr Massey will not leave Air Wilfurd in undisputed possession ot the political field, tor the movers ate equally insistent that- he. too. must- go. If an attempt is made to dispense with both the present lenders, difficulties of the kind are not going to ho allowed to act as deterrents." The movement, j however, is L> be constructive, as Well as destructive, on the personal side. “The idea.” the “Times” says in coni linden, "is to seek a leader of Hu* party outside the present; House. It is believed -that three well-known men of commerce aie considered suited to llu* po c iti'oi. and that two ot them are Air AV. I>. I [uni. of Wellington, and Afr J. H. Gnnson. I lie Mayor of Auckland. The movers consider they hate a sale seat picked out for Air Hunt. (-, the moment details are not plentiful. hut it appears that a gentleman formerly connected with the organising of (he Reform Party is actively interesting himself in the establishment of the newest addition to New Zealand polities.” The last sentence is the onlv discordant note in the story. No decent, politician wishes to see a professional organiser (-hanging sides so easily. A TATTLE. I’RHYTOI'K. The basis of this entertaining recital, as iilreiidv indicated, is the curteni gossip of the clubs and the street- corners. which has dealt largely lately with tlie decadence of Parliament and the failure of party Government. Air W. D. Hunt protests laughingly against being nominated for a- safe 'oat- and the premiership without having been prepared by a. single word for the distinctions to he thrust upon him. Air Gnnson doubtless has been as ignorant of the designs upon his leisure, and the former organi-er for the Reform Patty probably has a distinct grievance in the reflection upon his constancy and sense of propriety. It is true that there has been talk of business people taking n more active part in political affairs, but it has been rather by the critics of their apathy than hv the business people themselves, and it is certain that no movement is on toot to take any unfair advantage of the Prune Minister’s obscure from Hie Dominion.