UNITED FRONT

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19884, 13 May 1936, Page 8

UNITED FRONT

i .\EW PARTY FORMED. I OPPOSITION TO LABOUR. LARGELY-ATTENDED CONFERENCE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, \Vednesdsy. At a largely—attended Conference of delegates from all parts of New Zealnnd this morning steps were taken to form what is to be known as the New Zealand National Party, the policy of which “ill be to oppose that of the present Labour Government The new Party will incorporate the old Reform. Liberal and United political elements and its constitution will be so drafted as "to open the door to all those people who put their faith in sound finance and private enterprise." .\lr (J. H. \Veston, K.C.. presided and at the conclusion of the morning‘s ses—sion the following statement was is< Sued:

“A conference of more than 250 delegates from all over the Dominion opened in Wellington this morning in order to form an organisation and decide upon a constitution for those political forces which are opposed to the policy of the Labour Government. All the members of the present opposition in Parliament were either present or accounted for and the gathering included representatives who formerly belonged to the Reform. Liberal. United and other parties and also many persons who had not previously been associated with any political party but who are now anxious to see the old party lines obliterated and to present a united front to the sociallstin and inflationary policy of the Govern—ment.“

The Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes, hoped that such a gathering would act as a wetn— Ins to the Government not to proceed too far on to the road to socialism.

Mr Weston expressed the opinion that the present was a favourable time to unity all people In the Dominion who were opposed to the present. Government. and to take stock of the new Party's policy and organisation. A draft, of the constitution has been prepared.

After a long dilcussion about the name of the Party it was unanimously decided that it should be the New Zeb land National Party. The conference was engaged this afternoon upon details of constitution and rules. The meeting will continue this evening and Lo»morrow.