POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1928, Page 4

POLITICAL

NATIONALISTS AND THE UNITED PARTY.

Pending a conference of the United Political Party candidates, which is t > he held in Wellington in about six weeks’ time, no caucus of the National members of Parliament is contemplated. The Leader of the Nationalist Party (Mr Forbes) stated on Friday that, at that conference the policy of the Party would bo formulated, and its Leader selected. The Party would be finally launched after further electorates had selected their candidates. Mr Forbes added that one matter to he determined by the conference would be the name of the Party. In the meantime the National Party in the House of Representatives, of which ho is the Leader, would retain its present name; The National Party had agreed to throw in its lot with the United Political, organisation, but as its lnemhers had been elected as Nationalists, they must adhere to that name until the new Party went to the electors at the General Election. Mr Forbes said that the United Party was receiving a very solid amount of support throughout the country, and candidates were offering in very nearly every electorate. Those coming forward were prominent men of good standing. There was no doubt that there was a very great deal of dissatisfaction with the present Administration, particularly in respect to interference with business and private enterprise. The Government’s failure to carry out anything like a vigorous policy of land settlement had caused dissatisfaction in country districts among the sons of farmers who were looking for an opportunity to go on the land. CABINET VACANCIES.

After the General Election there will be three vacancies in the Cabinet which Mr Coates will have to fill, that is, provided he is again returned to power, of which there now seems little doubt. The vacancies avid be those caused by the death of Mr Bollard, by the retirement of the Ftoii. Mr Nosworthy, and the retirement of the Hon. Mr Anderson. Though no definite announcement has been made in the case of Mr Anderson, it is stated that the medical authorities he has consulted in London confirm tlie diagnosis of the New Zealand doctors, in which case it will not be desirable for him again to undertake the strain of Ministerial office. It is suggested in Reform circles that both he and Mr Nosworthy will be called to the Legislative Council.