NATIONAL PARTY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 October 1943, Page 3

NATIONAL PARTY

MEETING OF DOMINION COUNCIL ORGANISATION PLANS QUESTIONS OF POLITICAL RESEARCH (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A decision to retain the present or l ganisation structure as a basis for future activities was made at the firstmeeting of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand National Party in Wellington since the annual Dominion conference of the party last July. Reports from all districts were that the organisation was in a sound and healthy condition. The president, Mr Alex Gordon, was in the chair. References were made to the high quality of Mr S. G. Holland’s leadership and campaign speeches during the election and the council placed on record its warm appreciation and reaffirmed its loyalty to him and confidence in him as leader. The motion also expressed the belief that under his leadership the defeat of Labour and the return of the National Party in 1946 were assured.

The council expressed profound regret at the defeat of Sir Apirana Ngata at the election, believing that his work for the members of the Native race had been far beyond any party considerations. Appreciation was expressed of his long Parliamentary service. Congratulations to the successful National candidates was conveyed in another resolution, which went on to express sympathy to those who were defeated. “The council is conscious of the great debt owed not only by the National Party organisation but also by the country as a whole to those who came forward to carry the banner of progressive government and democratic freedom and thanks them wholeheartedly for their services,” concluded the resolution. Among matters discussed by the council were'questions of political research as a basis for constructive development prior to the next general elections. The Dominion executive, which met after the council meeting, was elected as follows for the ensuing year:— Messrs A. Gordon (president), S. G. Holland (Leader), G. M. Smith (chairman, Auckland Division), H. E. Walters (chairman, South Auckland division), J. H. Mcllroy (chairman, Wellington division), T. N. Gibbs (chairman, Canterbury division), E. J. Smith (chairman, Otago-Southland division), F. P. Kelly, F. Campbell, J. T. Martin, D. O. White, Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. Livingstone, and Mrs W. J. Polson. Mr S. M. Hobbs was re-elected Dominion treasurer.