NEW POLITICAL PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1927, Page 4

NEW POLITICAL PARTY

WELCOMED BY Mil FORBES. WELLINGTON, Aug. 19. TJIO following .statement was made this afternoon by Mr G. \Y. Forbes, leader of the Nattonql Baity:— “1 have read with interest ol the formation of a new political organisation said to ho composed of men of all shades of politic til thought, including supporters of the Reform, National and Libera! Parties. I welcome the movement, as'it bniicntos that in the opinion of those joining it the time lias come for action, as il i-, hopeless to look to tho present Government to provide a. policy for the restoration of the progress and prosperity of the Dominion.

“It is very apparent that it is the outcome of tho general dissatisfaction with the Government that is felt throughout tiie Dominion, 'licit that is held in a pronounced term by some sections of the community is evidenced bv tho repeated statements that one hears front prominent farmers and business men that they have so completely lost faith in the present Government that il there is no alternative offering they will vote Dibour. Hie seriousness of that position is evidmit]v recognised by the new organisation as they refer to it in their statement.

“The good times of the past bred an indifference to political questions and issues, ancl it is very encouraging to feel that now there is some stirring in the dry bones of politics and keener interest is being taken in the public affairs of the Dominion.

“The National Party at last election stood for the amalgamation, or all those, irrespective of party, who stood for good government. It has not m anv way departed from that ideal it ’will still work for that end. “The late Mr Massey, when speaking in the Town Hall in 1911, jnst lefore his party came into power, said ‘no party should remain in office continuously for more than a. very few v ,lt. was good for any Government to have before it all the time the fear that oilier fellows might come along in a. few months nr years and Pave a look in tho pigeon holes. Ihe wisdom of these words is very cleat-to-day when applied to the present Government Their fifteen years of office have attached so many bat tun te> jo the ship of State that all way is lost, and at present it drifts with every current that Hows.”

MR. VFITCH'S VIEW. WELLINGTON. Aug. 19. Interviewed to-day, Air W. A. Witch whose name is mentioned in a telegram Irom Auckland ill connection with the tew movement, said “You may take it a* quite certain that every elfort that can be made by Uie has been and will be made to bring together all people of moderate thought, who have no lait.li, nr who have lost faith, in the present Govern--111011. I am convinced that there is a sufficient section of public opinion in this direction to turn the present Government from office, but it is at present only partially articulate and not completely organised. My purpose is to (reut<« an organ.:'-s'Don that, will 'bring them all together, so tlial. Iney may use their pditic.-d levee collectively to re-establish the true principles o! Liberalism and liberty, "hua. have lag'll so flagrantly violated by Reiofta. That is the real purpose for win h the Liberal revival is being carried on."

POLITICAL NEED. AUCKLAND, Aug. 10. Of the new political party the “Star" says editotially to-night: “In this country, at any rate, men do not found new new political parties purely for the fun of the thing, so we may take it that the United New Zealand Party, which made its bow yesterday, lias serious intent behind it and some backing. Its declared policy is a list of generalities and the public will desire more details of what ft proposes to do. and will wish to know who are to ho its leaders. Its formation is another sign of the growth of dissatisfaction with the Government. On all sides this dissatisfaction is expressed, and there never wits a time in New Zealand history when a vigorous partymoved by progressive ideas and ablyled had n better chance of success. The political need of the hour is an alternative to tho present incompetent and distrusted Ministry, a party that will attract progressive forces of the country and satisfy the great mass of moderate opinion. It is obvious that if these forces are divided they will not prevail.”

SPLIT DENIED. WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. Tho reported split in the Reform Party was received with smiles of incredulity- by members in the partyin close touch with its intimate affairs, They said last night they were unable to point to any single member of the party now in tho House who would be a likely recruit for the new organisation, while they- further asserted that it a eavo was fanned there would havo been some definite sign of it weeks ago. It was suggested that if the new party was on a sound footing it, was singular that the names of those at the head of it were not disclosed.

“I do not know anything of it, officially or unofficially," said Mr Coates, when the message was referred to him. Tho first impression was that some ol the Auckland Reform members who have shown independent tendencies were Jinked up with the mot eluent, especially as the only name published so tar is that ol a former Reform organiser. However, Ihe inquiries in thi j direction drew a blank.

Mi Harris (M aitomala) laughingly replied to a group of friends, who suggested that he knew something almut it: “Don’t ask personal questions,’’ and It was evident by his remarks | llnt lie know little of the matter firsthand.

However, Mr Potter (Boskill). who had no association with the new party, mentioned a mini her of names of pc-’ •soiis behind it, and if his inform!tion is correct among Ihem are prominent supporters of the Liberal Party vH-o have asked Mr Veilch va lead them. “Oh yes, 1 know who they :.re.” declared Mr Potter, hut 1 '-an einpiun rally state that the Auckland suggestions that they constitute a in-c ikmvuy from the Reform Party, are based on very slender grounds So tar I. personally, am concerned I have never left the party, and I know no other member of the Reform Party who has done so. It has been suggested that wo are after a new leader, hut we are perfectly satisfied and firmly determined to adhere to the policy of the Reform Party and to stand by M r C’oate.s.

‘‘Yes, of course I know who is in the new party. They won’t disclose the names until they got some more important ones if they can. However, it shows that once again the name of Liberalism will he changed.”

AUCKLAND CRITICISM. AUCKLAND. Aug. 19. Some very uncomplimentary remarks about the new “United New Zealand Party” were made by speakers at the Liberal Party meeting last evening. Dr TV. H. Horton remarked that Mr Massey had enunciated a Liberal policy in 1911. Unlike Reform, the Liberal'Party had kept its word. Now some of the-old 1 "Reform malefactors had.

I made the discovery that a detective —public opinion—was after them, and they were trying to put. the blame on

to someone else. Mr A. Hall Skelton, in speaking of the culture and mental powers, of the delegates at the recent Liberal Conference in Wellington, broke off to ridicule the new party. “You cannot kill brains,’’ be declared. “That is why von have got this bogus thing in the

papers to-night. We warned you that the Reformer:; would conic, out as Independents at. the next general election. and that you must heware. We know what happened: A little hotly met at a home in Romuera last night. The man who is behind it is one ci the loading officials of the Reform Partv, a man who thinks lie rail run the civic and political affairs of Auckland and he an Auckland Mussolini. “They put forward as Prime .Minister a man who was politically ami economically a hahv in swaddling clothes,’’ asserted Air [hi! Skelton a little later. “They capitalised his good looks and his war record. Xow as you see in tonight’s papers they have turned their own man down.’’