DUNEDIN LIBERALS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 183, 6 July 1937, Page 4

DUNEDIN LIBERALS

ATTITUDE TO NATIONALISTS. SITUATION DISCUSSED. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, July 5. A denial that there was any suggestion of antagonism to the National Party in the attitude adopted by a certain section of the old Liberal I arty in Dunedin was given to-day by men who last week attended a meetingo Liberals at which the present political situation was discussed. This meeting, it was stated, was merely a gathering of friends interested in the Liberal viewpoint, at which it was agreed that the measure of support to be accorded by them to the National Party should depend on the extent to which the Liberal viewpoint was reflected in that party’s policy. The hope was expressed on that, occasion that_ there would he nothing in the National Party’s policy which would render a breakaway by the Liberals desirable. The meeting, which was attended by fewer than 12 persons, was presided over by Mr W. B. Taverner, former member for Dunedin South, who was Minister of Railways in the first United Cabinet. Referring to the meeting to-night, lie said : “The meeting referred to was of an informal nature, and consisted of a few friends interested in the Liberal viewpoint who met to discuss the general political situation. it should not he interpreted at this stage as being antagonistic to the National Party. Liberals are awaiting an announcement of that party’s policy, and when that is made they will doubtless arrive at a conclusion as to the support which can be accorded it.”

Although Mr Taverner declined V» comment further, it is gathered that the reason for the action that has been taken bj' this section of Liberals is that in the National Party itself, which was set up to represent all interests opposed to Labour, there is not sufficient recognition of Liberals in its ranks or of the body of opinion among electors at large which most nearly corresponds with what might he described as a Liberal one. They feel, it is said, that the National Party as at present constituted is dominated by the Reform element, and that in the north, as well as in Dunedin, there is a feeling that a more Liberal-ly-tinged outlook would be advisable, and that a policy which might be described as “half-way house” would be more inclined to appeal to a great majority of electors than one in which the principles of the Reform Parly were dominant.

Proof that this attitude is not general among Liberal members of the National Party was provided in the statement of a man who formerly exerted no small influence in the Liberal Party when it enjoyed that name. With most of the old Liberals, he said, he was solidly in support of the National Party, since that was the only way to fight Socialism, and in his opinion it was only an insignificant section that might grudge wholehearted loyalty to the new party. Any action it could take would be negligible. The introduction of any differences in the ranks of anti-Labour forces would be fatal.

The view that the attitude adopted by those who attended last week’s meeting was the result of a misunderstanding was expressed by Mr J. G. Jeffery, chairman of the Otago and Southland division of the National Party. Notices of meetings of the party were sent to all members, he said, and when some of the older members, representative both of the Reform and Liberal parties, had not at-

tended meetings, this was regarded an indicating that they were content to allow the younger members to carry mi, while not in any way lessening their support. Support for this contention was found in the fact that a good many of the younger Liberals were working very enthusiastically fertile party Any dissatisfaction there was had evidently arisen from a misunderstanding by a very small section of Liberal supporters for the organisation as a whole was going very smoothly and harmoniously.