"GOOD GUESS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 25, 31 January 1933, Page 5

"GOOD GUESS."

NEW PARTY PLANS.

MR. STEWART APPROACHED. COALITIONISTS' ACTIVITY. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A counter-statement to the denial by Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) that the deputation of Coalition members who waited on Mr. Downie Stewart last week had raised the question of the latter's leadership of a now party was made this morning by Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Eden).

"Although no official statement was issued," said Mr. Stallworthy, "I must say that the 'Star's' representative made a pretty good guess." He added that, as far as he was personally concerned, following representations from practically all parts of the Dominion, he had definitely put it up to Mr. Stewart that he should consent to lead either a new group within the Coalition party, or, failing that, a new party. Comment was made on tlie representations to Mr. Stewart by an organisation of Wellington business men, and the opinion was expressed that it would be a natural thing for Mr. Stewart to accede to the request, in view of his severance with Cabinet and tlie grave view he had taken of the Government's action ill coercing the banks to raise the rato of exchange, when the trade position of tho country made it utterly unjustifiable. Mr. Stallworthy said he appreciated the fact that, in view of the condition of his health, it was asking a great deal of Mr. Stewart to undertake the leadership of a new group or party, but it was with a view to saving New Zealand from the present disastrous administration, and to promote the well-being of the great . majority of the people against mere sectional interests. It was inevitable that someone should take the initiative.

"Unfortunately," added Mr. Stallworthy, "the actual raising of the exchange is not the only sin of the Government. There is the method by which it was done, the Prime Minister's reversal of his public declaration in December, which had lulled the commercial world into a sense of security, having had very serious reactions. There are also many related actions which have intensified the unsound policy of the Government in interfering in legitimate private enterprise, when what we want is a return of confidence."