NATIONAL PARTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 219, 16 August 1937, Page 4

NATIONAL PARTY.

OROUA ELECTORATE

A meeting ot' delegates of all branches of the National Party in the Oroiuv electorate was held in the Scotch Hall, Hunterville, on Friday night, for the purpose of disbanding the electorate organisation consecpient upon the absorption of the Oroua electorate by Manawatu and Rangitikei electorates. Mr A. Campbell, electorate chairman, was in the chair and there were present iv large number of delegates representative of all parts of the electorate. Extending a welcome, Mr Campbell referred to the absorption of Orona by Manawatu and Rangitikei, and deplored that it meant of the ways and tho end of the old and pleasant associations he had enjoyed for many years with his friends in the Oroua electorate. Tho chairman went on to give a review of the political history of Oroua and paid a tribute to the staunchness and loyalty of the northern branches of the electorate in all tho stern political fights that had been waged. Mr Campbell looked forward to the continuance of the same happy order of things nnder tho new arrangement of the electorate boundaries and concluding extended his sincere thanks to all the branches which had. done_ so much toward the splendid position Oroua had been in when taken over. A general discussion ensued, during which several speakers touched on tho taking over of Oroua, all regretting that this had taken place.Speaking for the Rangtikei execuive, Messrs E. B. Gordon and A. Way extended a welcome to Rangitikei to iho branches of Oroua that had been taken over, both speakers voicing the assurance that the Rangitikei members were looking forward to working in with such a stalwart hand. At the invitation of ths. chairman,

Hon. J. G. Cobbe,. M.P., addressed the meeting on the political situation. Mr Cobbe gave a most interesting talk on the danger facing the country at the hands of tho Labour legislators and denounced tho frothy and nebulous financial policy of the Government, considering that if it was allowed to continue it would land us in a. political system barely distinguishable from that of Soviet Russia. Mr Cobbe also advised his audience to step warily in regard to what he termed “freak” candidates in the guise of Independents, who at the next election would probably contest seats and bring about vote splitting. Concluding, Mr Cobbe thanked the people of [Northern Oroua, who had always been so staunch and loyai in his support. (Applause.) The chairman also spoke in appreciative vein of tho work the northern branches had done and paid a tribute to tho work Mr Cobbe had done for Oroua during his occupancy of tho scat in the House. Mr Campbell said that his feelings at the break-up of the electorate were those of deep regret, and his final wish was that tho good work done by all in the past would continue, and bring the aims of tho National Party to uftimatMrSUE.CSW. Barnett spoke of the great services rendered tho party’s cause by Mr Campbell, not only during the present period of activity but over a long period of years. Ho felt that such exemplary devotion to the Conservative cause should not pass unrecognised, and moved that a vote of appreciation of Mr Campbell’s services to Oroua be placed on record. The motion was supported by several speakers, and carried by acclamation, Mr Campbell briefly returning thanks. Mr Barnett also referred to the valuable service Mr V. E. Smith, lion, treasurer, had rendered tho party his remarks being supported by the chairman, who stated that his recollection of Mr Smith’s great work went far hack into the days of the old Reform Party and to the triumph of which m Oroua Mr Smith had done more perhaps than any single person. The motion that appreciation of Mr Smith’s work be placed on record was enrried by acclamation, Mr Smith, suitably acknowledging the sentiments voiced. , ' Mr Vivian Smith paid a tribute to the secretary’s work Mr. Jewell in turn extending his sincere thanks to the branch secretaries, and particularly those in the northern area of Oroua, for the deep interest and eiitliusiasm they bad always shown and the co-operation so readily extended. DISBANDING OF COMMITTEE.

The disbanding of tho electorate committee was then discussed, the following motion being carried at the instance of Messrs C. E. Taylor and W. K. Morton: —“That, subject to the disposition of the electorate finances, the electorate committee disband and each portion concerned take up active

duty with the respective electorates of Manawatu and Rangitikei.” The meeting concluded with an expression of appreciation from Mr Grant Simpson, on behalf of the Hunterville branch, for the splendid attendance at the meeting, the speaker regretting that the first gathering of the electorate committee at Hunterville was one for the disbanding of the organisation.