WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1927, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

POLITICAL PARTIES. OPPOSITION TO REFORM. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, Nov. M. It was announced on Friday by way of a statement made by Mr G. W. Forbes, the leader of the National Party in the House of’ Representatives. to tlie ‘‘Evening Post,” that the Nationalists had joined hands with the United New Zealand Political Organisation for the purpose of bringing together ‘‘all those sections of the community who are dissatisfied with the present Government and are looking for an alternative.” It is understood that negotiations towards this end have been in progress lor some weeks, and that during that time .Mr A. E. Davey. formerly engaged as an organiser for the Reform Party, has been actively employed in bringing about an alliance between the Nationalists and the l uited New Zealand Political Organisation for the purpose ol overthrowing the Refoi m Ministry, .lust what bis grievances against his old employers are has not vet been disclosed. Tint no doubt they will come to light in due time. Meanwhile Mr Forbes in his statement to the ‘ Post” makes no allusion to the policy of liis own party, nor to the policy of the United New Zealand Political Organisation, merely committing himself in general terms to a recital of the Government's many and grievous sliortroniings. REFORM’S FAILINGS.

Mr Forbes’s indictment of the Government. if not <|iiito so coherent as one could wish, at least makes it plain that, apart from Labour, the Nationalists are ready to co-operate with any party that will assist them in ousting the Government. "After several conferences with the executive of the United New Zealand Political Organisation,” he says, “the National Party has decided to co-operate with the movement, which lias lor its purpose the format ion ol a t nited Political Party, which will comprise all these sections of the community who are dissatisfied with the present Government, and arc looking tor ail alternative. flic National Pait\ in associating itself with the United Partv does so in no selfish spirit and seeks no party advantage over any other organisation or political section that may also decide to be similar!) associated. It recognises that this new movement is composed ol men of all shades of political thought. " 1,0 are seriously concerned lor the welfare of their country, which in tiieir opinion is being seriously jeopardised by tho policy and administration ol the Government.’’ Mr Forbes s pains to free the Nationalists I rum association with Labour, irrespective of its policy, surely is a symptom of null ece.ssa ry timidity. THE UNITED att t PTC. Mr Forties's announcement is accompanied by a. statement trom A* i A. K. Davey ill which that gentleman is good enough to assure the public that “it is quite true” that an understanding lias been reached between the “two parties named,” a confirmation of his veracity for which the leader of the National Party doubtless will feel duly grateful. And Mr Forbes’s statement being true, the organiser ol the l nited New Zealand Organisation proceeds to proclaim to the world at large wluit the unc.eitaking between the two pa 1 ties means. “We intend.” he says, “tmmcaiaieiy to commence work in the elect .rates throughout tho Dominion. It is our intention to contest every seat in the House at the next General Flection. AVe have arranged to meet and center within the,next fortnight with other groups who are opposed to the present administration with a view to getting together and taking joint action.” The main purpose of Mr Davey’s .statement, however, seems to be to discredit some humorous comments made by the lion. A. D. AhGeocl. the Minister of l ands, a little while ago concerning certain innuondoes that had been east upon the loyalty of several members of the Reform Party. Recriminations of this kind will avail but little in freeing the country from the political ills it is suffering. ORGANISEL!S AND ORGANISATIONS.

Tt has I:cm suggested by a. writer in one of tlie Home papers, who has some authority for expressing ail opinion oil such a subject, that the day of the party organiser and his organisation has gone, and that the political pin ty which is going to succeed in the future is the one that puts its own unpaid advocates into the field and lights its battles with brains rather than with money. This need have no particular application to the camnaign to which the Nationalists and the United Political Party have committed themselves, but it is a littio curious that both Mr Forbes and Mr D.ivey manage to say a great deal about the opposition to Reform without indicating any of the principles by which it is inspired. Their policy, it appears, is purely destructive. They seem never to have thought of construction. They have a great deal to say about the sins of tho Government, whose sins, of course, are many and heinous; but they have never a word to utter about their own principles and aspirations. Great party changes are not wrought in this way. Tn these days elections are won by constructive policies, not bv vehement denunciations.