Will Sir J. Ward Lead United Party?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 438, 21 August 1928, Page 9

Will Sir J. Ward Lead United Party?

CABLED INVITATION NO DECLARATION YET (United P A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and S.Z. Press Association.) ( U mted Sermcs) WINNIPEG, Sunday. Sir Joseph Ward intimated in an interview to-day that he had been asked by cablegram, sent at the instance of 50 candidates of the New Zealand United Party, to become its leader. Sir Joseph declined to say whether he would accept or not. In reply to further questioning Sir Joseph said he did not wish to discuss the political situation in New Zealand

NOT OFFICIAL

UNITED PARTY WANTS NO LINK WITH REFORM “Sir Joseph mi.%t have been approached unofficially, for no one can say who will be the leader of the United Party until the conference of candidates has been held.** The provincial organiser for the United Party. Mr. O. Moller, made this statement to-day when he was asked for an opinion on the message cabled from Winnipeg that Sir Joseph Ward had been asked to accept the leadership of the United Party. Mr. Moller said that the party’s can-

didates would meet at Wellington in September to select a leader and to finalise the policy. At least half a dozen names would be submitted to the candidates. Under that arrangement it was impossible for anyone to have offered the position to Sir Joseph Ward. Perhaps he had been asked if he would allow his name to be considered by the candidates. REFORM “INVITATION” “We would not entertain such a proposition for a moment,' 1 - aid Hr. Holier about the “invitation” put forward by Mr. Coates at Wanganui for the United Party to join up with Reform. Mr. Moller said: “The United Party has been brought into being to offer g. sound alternative to the people of the Dominion, between Labour on one hand, which is looking after one class, and Reform, which is looking After the other extreme.” ‘‘The alleged vote-splitting will be no different from what it was in past elections. After all. we are a party that has Incorporated the IJhnrel, and National Parties, and that vast body of dissatisfied Reform voters. The success of the United Party has consolidated these elements.” REFORM SUPPORTERS MEETING AT ST. HELIERS An address by Mr. J. S. Dickson. M.P., on the work of the Government during the present session was given at a meeting of Reform supporters at St. Heliers Bay last evening. Mr. W. Pycroft presided over an attendance of about 70. An address was also given by Mr. J. B. Paterson, chairman of Mr. Dickson's committee. At the close of the meeting a vote of confidence in the Prime Minister, Me. Coates, and the present Government was carried. Th© following delegates were appointed to the main committee: Messrs. F. G. Baskett, J. Lees, J. Hill, G. Scott, and A. T. Pycroft. LABOUR AT OTAHUHU ADDRESS BY MR. PETRIE The official Labour candidate for the Hauraki electorate, Mr. <*. U. Petrie, addressed a public meeting at Otahuhii last evening. The Mayor of Otahuhu. Mr. It. B. Todd, who presided, referred to the service Mr. Petrie had rendered to the public as a member of the Otahuhu Borough Council, the school committee and other bodies. Mr. Petri* th e Reform Party’s performance had fallen far short of what the public had expected, while th© Labour platform, if put into effect, would undou!*:* dljr lift New Zealand to higher levels. The country was ripe for a political change, and Labour was the only p rty that could b© relied upon to serve the true interests of the people and adhere to the policy it had laid down. After criticising the Government, he said the Labour Opposition had worthily upheld all Parliamentary traditions, and had attained very gratifying success. Mr. W. K. Parry, M.l’., aho addressed th© meeting, which carried a unanimous vote of thanks and of confidence in the candidate and tlie Labour Party. CANIDDATE FOR WANGANUI Press Association. WANGANUI, Monday. Mr. N. G. Lewis, a young barrister of Wellington, has been chosen to stand in the Reform interests for the Wanganui seat at tbe genera] election. H© is only 25 years of -re. He has had a distinguished scholastic and athletic career. MR. FORBES’S DENIAL KNOWS OF NO OFFER Press Association. WELLINGTON, To-day. In regard to the cabled message stating that Sir Joseph Ward had received an offer of the leadership of the United Party, Mr. G. W. Forbes states that as far tts he is aware no requisition has been sent to Sir Joseph. The question of leadership is net to be decided until th© conference of the party next munuu