UNITED PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1928, Page 4

UNITED PARTY

THE NEW LEADER. (Lyttelton Tillies Correspondent); WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. Apart from the general jiolitical reflections of Mr Wilkinson, chairman of tho United Party Conference, very little has so far emerged from this interesting gathering. Delegates arc showing remarkable cohesion nnd discretion in avoiding the temptation to discuss the party’s affairs with interested outsiders. There is no hiding the fact, however, that this candidates’ meeting is Doing utilised to take the whole organisation in hand, policy nnd leadership being the big questions for decision. On tho policy depends the possibility of leadership, and this is tho principal reason why the publiccould not Ire informed soon after the conference met who would be the lender of the new party.

It is fairly well understood that the majority of delegates met with the idea that the best possible loader for a reorganised Opposition would be one who would closely associate it with the traditions of the old Liberal Party, Sir Joseph Ward. His invitation to the conference and his absence from it last week may be taken to indicate no more than that he retains an open mind about the United Party, nnd may possibly be induced to link up if certain important points are settled iii line with his own inclinations.

Tlie outstanding question would be that of the Party’s name. Sir Joseph Ward is the only official Liberal in Parliament, and ho has more than once expressed his firm determination never to abandon tha-t title. If he becomes leader it can be confidently predicted th,at there will be mother change of name, to include “Liberal” in the title of tho party.

With this approved by the delegates and a suitable programme it is quite possible that the leadership, question will be settled early in the week by placing tho former Liberal Prime Minister at the head, with deputy leaders from the North and South Islands to support him in an active political campaign.

[lt was announced yesterday that Sir Joseph Ward had been selected.]

UNITED PARTY CONFERENCE

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 17

“It was the finest conference 1 have ever attended,’’ said Mr E. H. Andrews, who returned to Christchurch yesterday after attending the conference of the United Political Party in Wellington. “I have attended a lot of conferences in my time,” added Mr Andrews, “but never a better oiie than this one.” There were' present, lie said, many men of outstanding ability who had made a real study of political fhience and general administration. “I wa,s tremendously impressed,” he opiii eluded, with the ability c,f the men I met.” There were between fifty and sixty candidates present at tlr conference.

LAUNCH CAMPAIGN. WELLINGTON, September 17. At the United Party’s Conference which resumed this morning, out ,ol the sixty candidates announced by the Party, fiftv-or.c were in attendance. Ill’ a unanimous resolution it was agreed that the Party should go to tho polls as the “United Party.” Various questions of policy were referred to Special Committees, where reported to the full Conference, where the policy was exhaustively discussed, and finally it wac determined by all of tho candidates assembled. The matters cif the Leader, and of tho Deputy-Leader for the North Island and the Deputy-Leader for the South Island and that of the personnel of the Parliamentary Council of Twdve, have all been decided, and these offices have been filled. Mr W. .1. Henderson, the Deputy Chairman of tho United Party, on behalf of the Party, offered to Sir Joseph Ward, tho leadership of tho United Party. Mr TV. J. Henderson pledged Sir Joseph the undivided loyalty and the whole hearted support of the members.

Mr Henderson’s remarks were endorsed by Mesrs AY. Perry, A. B. Sievwright, G. AY. Forbes, E. A. Ramson. T. K. Sidey, AV. J. Broadfoot, T. AlcDonald, J. Trevethick, AV. J. Horne. A. J. Stallworthy, AA r . E. Taylor, and J. B. Donald.

Sir Joseph AA'ard, who had a most enthusiastic reception, said in the course of an mpressivo speech, that no one occupying the position in which ho stood at tho moment c-ould help feeling very proud of tho sentiments which had been expressed towards him. They were smell as jto make any man feel very proud. Ho thanked Air Forbes, the Leader of the National Party, for tlie remarks which he had' made and for the goodwill which he had expressed in regard to the future. Addressing the mctrjbers of the Conference, Sir Joseph Ward said that he desired to say a. word about the difficulties of the situation. Tt would be idle for them to think that, after what had been a most successful conference, tlicv .could go back to their respective districts with the feeling that everything would run smoothly. That was not so. He therefore, urged them that, whatever difficulties might arise, they should treat their opponents fairly and honourably. Sir Joseph AA'ard said that if the United Party c-ome into power, it had got to affirm—and to act up to—cer tain principles which, he was sure would commend themselves to all of those present ,and likewise to the ibulk of the people of New Zealand. He wanted to see a policy adopted which would not only he for the good of the country as a whole, hut which could bo carried out without injuring any section of tho business community, , or tlie farmers or tlie workers. I

Sir Joseph then said: “I want to say that 1. highly appreciate the fact that you (have asked me to fill the position of Leader of the United Party T will very cheerfully undertake those duties, and I feel sure that I will have the goodwill and tho support of all its members.”

Sir Joseph concluded by expressing his confidence that the United Party would return .successful after the elections with its banner flying high at the masthead.