A GREAT SUCCESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 280, 26 November 1928, Page 10

A GREAT SUCCESS.

CONFIDENT OPTIMISM. UNITED PARTY CONFERENCE. LOYALTY TO LEADER THE KEYNOTE. 'AUCKLAND MEMBERS GRATIFIED. "The conference of the United Parliamentary party in Wellington last week revealed conclusively that we are in fact as well as in name a united party," eaid Mr. A. J. Stalhvovthy, M.P., in an interview this morning. Mr. Stallworthy and some of the other Auckland United members returned from Wellington at the week-end. "From a party point of view, the conference was a great success and satisfactory in every way," continued the new member. "The statement issued by tlio Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward was endorsed to the letter by every member present. Loyalty to the leader was the keynote of the proceedings. All spoke as with one mind, and it was obvious that the party will stand behind Sir Juseph whole-heartedly. No stone will be left unturned to place the party's policy on the Statute Book. "It' was apparent - that Sir Joseph Ward ie much improved in health," remarked Mr. Stallworthy. "The success of the party which he led seems to have endowed him with renewed vigour to a surprising, degree. Sir Joseph Iβ intensely gratified with the personnel of his party, and for my own part I must say that the United 'team,' individually and collectively, is splendid. Every man is a worker. *Mr. A. W. Bodkin, who retained Central Otago for the party, being the successor of Mr. Jas. Horn, who retired last year, is one of the best men in the party. I did not have the pleasure .of meeting him earlier, as he was not present at the initial Dominion conference in Wellington during the winter. Mr. Bodkin is a barrister and has i 3d a big practice in order to take t Parliamentary duties. The party . opresentative in every* way, being j.,rule up of men from various walks of life, ranging from practical farmers to first-class business and legal men.".

Messrs. «T. B. Donald- and G. C. Munns, M.P.'b, were also delighted with the tone of the conference and spoke in the highest terms of their colleagues. Both are optimistic concerning the future of the new party. Messrs. J. S. Fletcher and H. S. Jenkins, M.P.'e, were reported to-day as being in Wellington. Although nothing has been stated definitely, it W believed that the party will have a working majority in the House after the'formal motion of no-confidence in Reform lias been carried. In this respect Sir Joseph Ward is said to be quietly and confidently optimistic. Sir Joseph, as an old political warrior, knowg every inch of the political battlefield, and has the experience and ability to make the best possible use of every move in. the- national arena. . The general feeling at the conference was that there will not be another general election till 1931. The New Zealand Labour party is without the funds necessary to carry on a successful campaign, the Reform party is in a similar plight and would be unlikely to seek ■ another election lest there should be an even more devastating landslide in favour of the United party, and Sir Joseph Ward is said to believe that it will be unnecessary to go to the country since he anticipates that his party will eventually be sufficiently strong to carry its policy into full legislative effect.