LIBERALS DIFFER

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1925, Page 1

LIBERALS DIFFER

-AIR SKELTON’S CHARGES. AUCKLAND, June 5. r The comments of the leader of the e Liberal Party concerning the resolutv' but passed by Mount Roskill Liberals s formed the .subject of a. statemnet tot day by Air Hall-Skelton. a “Air A\ ilford’s reply to our execu- ’ live is not correct.” lie said. “Brief- - ly, the position was that our execut, tive claimed the right to select its ' own candidate. The so-called Auckland Provincial Council were mostly - men representing no Liberal organ- > isntion, nor were they truly represen- ' tativo of tho province as a whole. - Having been informed that no person. ■ was to be a member of the council uu- . less ho were duly elected l>v an organ- ' ised body of electors, and that no pierson seeking selection by the party as - ft candidate was to he eligible for the council, our executive took, anil still taltos, strong exception to the present composition of the so-called council by liole-and-conicr methods, Four . out ol about eight of that body have nominated themselves for various I seats. The Roskill executive strongly objects to this. Roskill demanded a policy and constitution, but ‘tuilma’ and spurious promises were made to them, only to he broken. Letters and telegrams were left unanswered, even unacknowledged. As time passed, it became abundantly clear that this pseudo council did not intend to organise, but wishes to exist as a dummy behind which Air AVilford could shelter in, case of expedience. The Roskill executive were told (never in writing) by Wallingon that tlie Auckland Council had some matters which required to be cleared up. Informal conferences were therefore held with Afr Trevelhick, when the matters proved to bo trivialities easily cleared out of the way. Then the Auckland Council (always informally) suggested that Air AViit'ord had some complaints, and that this was where the real trouble lay. and I believe they were right. Air AATlford well knew I was not the type of man lo bo led by any party or person to betray my party’s principles. Air AATlford well knew my principles were those of the true Liberalism of Grey, Ballance, Sedilon, and AA'ard. and as he' had voted against these principles ho could not logically bring down a policy which should embrace these fundamentals. Air AATlford well knew 1 was quite aware of his masquerade in Liberal clothing. He knew I was aware that on at least three occasions a Tory Government lias boon placed in power by Tories in tho Liberal rallies. The only cause of trouble between the Roskill Liberals and tho party was the desire by the former to clear tho ranks of these Tories in disguise. Afr AATlford says ho will not accept a portfolio in any coalition Cabinet. Perhaps so, but will Air AATlford deny the rumour that he is

accepting sonic ambassadorial post it Washington, or the High Commiss iouership ? AA* ill he pledge hiniseli not to accept any such position ? AA'i! lie. say whether secret negotiations I'm ■oalition have been in train for some lime paxl, and will lie say wlidhei ■my such positions as above have la n 'iioittioneil to him in the event ol fusion? Finally, will he tell us by what right lie can. without mandate from the. Liberals of New Zealand, attempt to destroy the party which he is supnosed to guide?”

RE PLY TO MR SKKLTOX. wedlixi ;tox. .j uii.i' o. Replying tins morning in Hall-Skc!-ion’s statement 1 h;it there 0 a rumour that Mr Mil lon I is no-opting an ambassadorial post in America or the High (‘omiiii.ssionership in England, as the price for fusion. Mr M illord stated this morning : “1 wish to stty in reply, that neither of such positions have heon offered mo, in Hie event of fusion or any other event, nor have they been mentioned at all. lam sure the Prime Minister and his Ministry will hear me out in this. In regard to his question about .negotiations, I believe that all sorts ol negotiations. ii roll etui rail them negotiations, have been attempted in this direction lor over three years. Chambers of Commerce. Farmers t’nions. Welfare League and some Reformers ami Liberals, in and out of Parliament have tried to gei a common ground for a junction of the two parlies."

As to flic rest, of Mr Skelton's statement, Mr Willord merely replied by saying that the same must eonvinee all Liberals in New Zealand that the Auckland .Provincial Council ot the Liberal-Labour Federation did well when it refused, with its local knowledge. io recommend that gentleman as ;t Liberal-Labour candidate for Ii osk ill.