NATIONAL PARTY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 111, 20 February 1941, Page 3

NATIONAL PARTY.

JOINED BY TWO MORE GROUPS. NEW LIBERALS AND SOLDIERS’ PARTY. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, February 19. “After last night’s announcement that the People’s Movement and the National Party had agreed to join forces, I am now able to announce further reinforcements,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) to-day. . “The New Liberal Party, with branches in many parts of New Zealand, and the sponsors of the proposed Soldiers’ Party have decided to join forces with the reinforced National Party,” lie said. “This will unify all the forces having as their objective the maximum war effort, the restoration of personal liberty, the right of the people to live their own lives in their own way, and the fight against further Sooialiistie enproachmenjts.) Steps are being taken, to give adequate representation to these very .welcome additions to our rapidly-growing strength on the various branches of the National Party’s organisation, and I extend the warmest possible welcome to all Liberals and others throughout New Zealand. Mr Holland said he desired to make it clear that the sponsors of the proposed Soldiers’ Party were quite distinct and apart from the official Returned Soldiers’ Association, which, quite properly, was q non-)iolitical organisation. As the result of an exchange of view between them and himself, they had decided not to proceed further with the plan for the widespread extension of their organisation, but to join forces with the Na : tional Party as the best means of ensuring the maximum war effort and the rehabilitation of soldiers and other members of the armed forces. Mr Holland added that he had received the following letter from Mr WH. Nash (president of the New Liberal Party): “At a meeting of the Dominion executive of the New Liberal Party a 1 resolution was carried agreeing to amalgamate under your leadership. .1 am firmly of ..the opinion that in you we have a leader imbued with that steadiness and sincerity of purpose which is so essential in New Zealand to-day, and we call upon all Liberal supporters to give you their fullest co-operation. “It is my belief that after the next election you will be called upon to lead this country, and I feel confident that you will fairly represent all classes in the community/ and not merely sectional interests. From your repeated public statements, I know that while you will give all sections of the coup munity the full measure of your help and support you will at the same time preserve our ancient heritage of individual liberty.” I LITTLE DIFFERENCE SEEN. PRIME! MINISTER’S COMMENT WELLINGTON, February 19. “The only difference I see about the Opposition Party under its new conditions is the introduction of a few hyphens,” remarked the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) when his attention was called to the inclusion within the National Party organisation of several other parties or prospective parties. “They are apparently all anti-Gov-erntaent forces,” continued the Prime

Minister, “and the development is of no concern to me as head of the Government, blit is simply a question of internal arrangement affecting our political opponents. However, if it will enable those concerned to work more closely with the Government in the Dominion’s war effort, then the development is to be welcomed.”