NEW PARTY IN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1922, Page 4

NEW PARTY IN POLITICS.

NAMES OF THE MEMBERS. THREE TARANAKI M.P.’s. PARTY STRENGTH UNCERTAIN. (By Wire—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The first effect of the reorganisation of the opposition groups in the House has been the appearance of Mr. C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central) on the front Opposition benches. Mr. T. M. .Wilford, hs leader of the United Progressive Liberal Labor Party, and leader of the Opposition, has Mr. T K. Sidey (Dunedin South) on his left.and Mr. Statham on his right. The Hori. A. T. Ngata sits next, and on the other side of Mr. Sidey are Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton), who is not yet declared officially to have joined t®e new group, arid Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), who is a member of its executive.

The numerical strength of the new Opposition is still uncertain. It has been claimed that seventeen members are following Mr. Wilford, but for the present at any rate that number appears to be an exaggeration. Messrs. H.

Poland (Udineniuri), J. Horn (Waka tipu) and G. Witty (Riocarton) are among the m-nnbets whose names have been mentioned, but they have not joined up with the new party. They may elect to do so later.

The exact strength in Parliament of the hew party is not clear yet, ae several members seem still to ibe considering whether they will join up or re* main in isolation (says the Wellington Times). For instance, the position of Mr. McCallum is doubtful, and it is said that Mr. Vigor Brown is not at all likely to throw in his lot with the united fohces. Mr. J. Craigie is looked on as certain to stand out, even though he occupies a seat on the back benches of the Opposition side of the House. Doubts had been expressed as to the position that Messrs. G. Mitchell, H. Atmore, and the Hon. J. A. Hanan would take up, but it is now said that the prospects of the party receiving their assistance are •brighter than is the case in respect of the others mentioned. Those who are looked on as already belonging to tne party are Messrs. T. M. Wilford, C. E. Statham. G. W. Forbes, L. M. Isitt, W. T. Jennings, E. Kellett, R. Masters, A. T. Ngata, H. Poland. T. E. V. Seddon, R. W. Smith, S. G. Smith, J. Edie, .1. Horn, W. A. Veitch, G Witty, and Dr. Thacker.