NEW PARTY MOVE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1924, Page 3

NEW PARTY MOVE

[itv TKl.KtlltAl'lf—l'Elt IMtJtSS ASSOCIATION.] | CHRISTCHURCH, June 21 I Interviewed to-night with respect to tin* reported ell'ort to form a new political party, .Mr 11. E. Holland. ALP., Louder of tlie Parliamentary Labour Party, said that it was quite clear that, for some time, forces making for disintegration had been al work within both the Reform and Liberal Parties, and I hat the whole trend of events was toward an ultimate blending of 11k* main elements of those parties. The record of voting in main divisions of the more recent sessions, and the consistent manner in which the Reform Party had been held in office by tho votes of either Mini - or all of the Liberals furnished evidence that there was no wide dilferenee in the Reform and Liberal policies ami that such difference* as existed were purely of a personal diameter. For their own mutual defence against the rapidly-giowing strength ol the Labour .Movement the two older parties had no choice hut. to conic together. If the ell'ort which was being made to form a new Party should succeed, it would certainly not include any member* of the Labour Parly. as bad been suggested. The Labour Alovemeiit, said Air Holland. was a greater force in Dominion Imlilies than it ever had been previous Iv and it- measure ol solidarity, both In and out of Parliament, would not he the least impaired by any new movement in polities. Asked if he thought tlial the present session would result in the precipitation of an election next year. .Mr Holland -aid lie did iioi think so. Still, nnvthing was likely to happen, especially ill view of the fact flint there were disgruntled elements within the Government Party: and his advice to the Labour .Movement was that they should hold themselves renclv m enter the field at the shortest possible nolire. So far as the Labour Party were (unreined. (heir voles would go lo end the life of the presell I Government al t lie earliest possible moment.