PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 February 1941, Page 4

PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT

. MERGED WITH THE NATIONAL PARTY I ! STATEMENT BY MR. HOLLAND. — MAXIMUM WAR EFFORT FIRST OBJECTIVE 'Ey Telegraph—Press Association.* WELLINGTON. This Day. The amalgamation of the People's Movement and the National Party was announced last evening by the Leader of the Opposition. Air Holland. Representation is to be given the People's Movement on the branches and headquarters uf the National Party organisation. The merger does not involve any change in the name of the National Party. A statement was also issued simultaneously by the president of the Peeples Movement. .Mr. E. R. Toop. who said that as a separate political entity the movement had now completed its work. "I am pleased to be able officially to announce that, following mutually ! helpful discussions, the People’s Movement and the New Zealand National j Party have unanimously decided to , join forces as one united party,” said [ Mr. Holland. 1 "Our first objective is the maximum , i war effort by New Zealand in the , Empire's fight for freedom and justice. ; While, however, the Government per- : sists in its determination to complete I its full programme of socialisation, and i refuses to make a 100 per cent, war effort possible by dropping party polii tics and forming a truly National GoI vernment with representation from all I sides, we are determined to continue J our fight against unjustifiable State | dictation and encroachment upon the I people's rights and liberties. i "With a view to the fullest benefits ' being obtained from the amalgamation, ] steps are being taken to ensure that ] the People's Movement is given full :and adequate representation on the ■ various branches and headquarters of the widespread National Party organ* isation. The general public is well I aware of the activities- and the purpose of the People’s Movement, and I extend a warm welcome to their members throughout New Zealand, I wish to pay a tribute to those who have taken part in the preliminary discussions. which have resulted in the removal of differences and in the unifying of forces, especially to Mr. E. R. Toop. who. as president of the People’s Movement, has been most helpful, tactful and tolerant. "The joining of forces does not involve any change in the name of the National Party, and I feel that our organisation will be greatly strengthened by this co-operation in ideas and outlook." concluded Mr. Holland.

COMING ELECTION POSTPONEMENT URGED. AN OTAGO RESOLUTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.* DUNEDIN. February 18. Support for the proposal that the general and public body elections this year should be postponed was expressed at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce tonight, when the following motion was carried: — "That this council supports the resolution of the Otago Harbour Board requesting the local elections be postponed. In addition we consider that the national election should also bo postponed, provided the Government forms a National Government, cmbracmg all parties for the fullest prosecution of the war effort.