No Coalition

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 13

No Coalition

(From Yesterday’s Date Edition)

UNITED PARTY’S DECISION READY TO FACE ANOTHER ELECTION Press Association WELLINGTON, Friday. Sip Joseph Ward, Leader of the United Party, said to-day he was more than satisfied with the attendance at the United Party conference last night. They were unanimous, he said, in declining to entertain any proposals for a coalition with the Reform Party. This, in his opinion, would be a most improper thing for United Party members who had pledged themselves to vote against the continuance of the Reform Government. He was grateful to acknowledge the splendid way in which the party, though quite young, had been treated right throughout the Dominion, and felt it his clear duty to put the policy the party had supported on the Statute Book, even if it meant a further fight in all constituencies. There was no doubt in any impartial elector’s opinion, to whatever party they belonged, that the revulsion against the Reform Party was definite and absolute. Sir Joseph Ward says that 29 members were present, and he has four of the Independent members, making the strength up to 32. Sir Charles Statham, the remaining Independent, has not communicated with him, but he does not regard Sir Charles as a party man.