A NEW PARTY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 442, 28 January 1933, Page 5

A NEW PARTY

("Post" Special Commissioner).

POLITICAL MOVE DOWNIE STEWART ASKED TO LEAD NEW GROUP AGRARIAN TREND OPPOSED

Wellington, Friday. Incensed over the agrarian trend' of the Coalitipn policy, and convinced that the political manipulation of exchange will have a disastrous effect on the country's finances, five city Coalitionists have taken ipreliminary steps for the formation of a new party. The cardinal plank in their policy will he an equal distribution of sacrifice involved in the mareh toward reeovery. Without estentation five of the strongest opponents to the Government exchange policy made overtures to Hon. W. Downie Stewart, ex-Minister of Finance to' take his courage in both hands and accep|; the leadership of the new group, which Mr. Ste.wart was informed could be formed to combat the effects of rural domjnation in the Cabinet. Those comprising the deputation were Messrs A. J. Stallworthy, A. Harris, R. A. Wright, W. Veitch and H. Holland, and a full statement of their views was placed before the ex-Minister. It is understood that it was intimated that offers had already been received from professional and business interests in Wellington to guarantee the organisation of a party such as' they proposed. Mr. Stewart was reminded of the call for his serviees in leadership which at the present time was resounding from one end of New Zealand to the other. Speakers it is gathered, emphasised that iri the present crisis cohesion of ability and effort was vital if New Zealand was to he saved from what they considered to be national disaster. As the proceedings were covered by the mantle of close secrecy and the members who attended declined when approached to even discuss the nature of their interview, it is not clear whether Mr. Stewart gave a definite promise to eonsider representations. It is assumed by observers that tlfe ex-Minister's answer was indefinite beeause of Mr. Stewart's . previous 'statement that his reason for leaving the Ministry was to avoid causing the Governmept embarrassment. At* the same time expectation is that a great deal more in a positive sense will he heard of the proposition before the session proeeeds much further. At the same time sufficient is known of the trend events are likely to take to enable a forecast to be made that should Mr. Stewart find himself unable to accept leadership of the new party, support from outside Parliamentary circles will esnure baptism ffc>r the new political infant.

There appears to be no possibility at the moment of the party suffering from shortage of friends, for sufficient finance to conduct, if necessary, an election campaign, is in sight. In the meantime, and quite independently of happenings at Parliament House, the organisation of the party on progressive liberal principles is , reported to be taking place in Auckland, Dunedin and Invercargill and a national conference of delegates has already been arranged. This meeting will take place in Wellington on February 8. There appears to be no association between this body and any members of Parliament and it is not known what measure of support has been promised for its development All that is known is that a party as described is reliably reported to he in the process of formation outside of, and independently of members at present in the House.

Since the adjournment of the Coalition Caulcus on. Wednesday afternoon the atmosphere in Parliamentary Buildings has been anything but certain, and all manner of rumours and alarms have been going the rounds. The latest and most outstanding canard was that the Prime Minister had resigned. The absurdity of the rumour was, perhaps, obvious and hardly worthy of an official denial, it was nevertheless conveyed to Mr. Forbes who promptly described it as "Rubbish." "I don't run away from my job," he added, "the harder it is the more I eonsider rfc my duty to remain on deck, and if necessary go down with the ship."