WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON NEWS

ELECTION FOREBODINGS. (Special to 11 Guardian ”.) WELLINGTON, .March 8. That an election is clue this year is to he noted in the stray paragraphs which appear from time to time in the daily papers. Recently the Keiorm Party held a conference in Christchurch, and the report states that the party is fully alive to the difficulties with which it will lie faced when the next appeal to tlie electors is made. This is an admission of fear and is an indication 'that the party is conscious of its errors of omission and commission. Those errors are numerous and the electors would he foolish to overlook those mistakes. In any event it would he unwise of the electors to return to power a party which has been so long in office. Undoubtedly the Reform Party has thought that it has owned the country and has acted accordingly much to the detriment of the taxpayers. The party has forfeited all confidence and the members have every reason to fear the results of the next election. There arc only two live Ministers in the Cabinet, and these are the Hon. W, D. Stewart and the Hon. A. D. McLeod. Roth of them arc clever men. hut their cleverness is of a different calibre. The Minister for Finance is clever in a transparent way, Tint the Minister for Lands is deep; and they have really hold the party together, ft would he. false to say that members of the party are satisfied with the leaders, for they are not—hut none of them have openly resorted to opposition, and for the simple reason that there was no party with which to throw in their lot. it was hardly to lie expected that with an inept and inefficient Government in power the political forces in the country would remain quiescent. As most of our readers know, a new party has been formed, but the promoters have wisely refrained from furnishing details. It would not he to the interests of this new party to let the other side know the full measure of its operations, least of all its principal supporters. Even the name of the party litis not been decided upon hut is to he fixed later on by the members of the parly. In the meanwhile it is known as the United New Zealand Political Party. The National Party, led by Mr George Forbes, lias joined the new party, but it tines not follow that Mr Forbes will he prof burned leader. Indeed, the selection of a leader will be important, for on this will depend the success or otherwise of tin 1 new party. Neitliel Mr Forbes nor Mr T. AA'illord is. according to the Man in the Street, in the running for leadership, and it is just as well, for both of them have proved themselves incompetent leaders. The whole success of the new party will depend upon selecting an acceptable leader, who must possess many qualifications for the .position. lie must be clever in a political sense; lie must be young and vigorous, with a thoioiigh knowledge of New Zealand polities ; lie must be independent both politically and financially ; in short be must be a strong man. Most people would despair of finding such a man. but such a one is wanted at this time of New Zealand s political history, and lie will he forthcoming. In ’Wellington it- is stated that a strong man of the character described is available, and the name mentioned in tins connection is that of Mr Myers. K.C. Of his cleverness and ability there can be. no question, for be is a brilliant lawyer. Me is an independent man full of vigour. Mis knowledge ol politics is extensive, and he would command the respect and admiration of the electors. At all events he would make ■1 better leader than the Hon. Cmites. it is true that Mr Myers has never keen in Parliament, but this is no disqualification for leadership, lor lsi‘ possc-sf inn ninny out stiuiilinij

qualities to he overlooked. Ihe. lot cos ~„n i nst the Reform Party are gathering strength, and it will ho surprising if lim t -iiiii t of office of an extravagant and inefficient party will he endorsed hv the electors.