THE UNITED PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1928, Page 4

THE UNITED PARTY

SELECTING CANDIDATES. CHRISTCHURCH, May 21. ( The Christchurch executive of the United Parly on Saturday evening selected Mrs T. E. Taylor as its candidate for Christchurch North and Mr W. T. Lester for Lyttelton. Mrs Taylor is the widow of Mr T. E. Taylor, a former member of Parliament and Mayor of Christchurch, one of the most prominent workers in the No-license cause in New Zealand, and a vigorous platform speaker. Mrs Taylor is Dominion president of the W.C.T.U., is associated with the National Council of Women and helped in founding the Free Kindergarten in Christchurch. Mr Lester was Mayor of Lyttelton for a fairly long term', and has done much work on the Lyttelton Harbour Board, on which lie. is the Government nominee.

MR. FORBES OPTIMISTIC

Mr G. W. Forbes, acting-leader of the party, is very optimistic, as to the party’s success, in regard to. both the type of its candidates and its standing with the electors. “I. have had an opportunity to meet gatherings of electors—supporters of the Reform Party, as well remembers of our own organisation—in both .Islands during the past lew weeks."’ he said last evening. “1 have found a strong Poling that a change of Government, is imperative. That”feeling is particularly strong in the North Island, to a lessor degree in the South Island. “Interference, with private enterprise has created a feeling of uncertainty. which is having a detrimental effect on the investment 1 , of capital in industrial enterprise. The steady growth of the huge Government Service is commented upon very adversely. The Government’s vacillating policy in regard to social questions shows such a lamentable lack of definite principle that many of those who thought that the present Prime Minister possessed the statesmanship necessary to guide the Dominion through its difficulties are bitterly disappointed. They are joining" up with the United Party in groat numbers, and are confident that it will provide a responsible party that will, at next election, take the place of the present Government to the advantage of the Dominion.

“The outstanding men who are coming forward as candidates for the new organisation augur well for the formation of a strong party. Ido not remember at any previous election so many prominent citizens standing as candidates. Liberals throughout the Dominion are supporting the United Party who 1 c-h e a rted Iy.

“The organisation of the electorates is going ahead steadily. There is all excellent prospect of a candidate being found for every scat. Air Ivavy, the. organiser, and I will go south this week to meet friends and supporters in other electorates in order to select candidates, several of whom arc offeri»g. “I believe that tlie election will bo earlier than usual. This means a busy time from now on. in order to get things in readiness. Bat we will not lx; caught napping. There is no doubt that the new organisation’s prospects of success are exceptionally good. The Prime Minister’s recent querulous outburst against it as being a ‘disunited’ tiling, lacking in policy and leadership. evidently had a nervous origin.

The new movement, is steadily perfecting its organisation in the different electorates. In ample, time before the election it will provide a capable leader and a progressive policy, acceptable

to the great bulk of tile electors.” Mr A. E. Davy, tlic organiser, is as satisfied as Air Forbes with the party’s candidates, lie said last, evening:— “They are an excellent type, and if the party continues to select candidates of the same, standard, il will be a formidable opposition at the election.”