NO ANTAGONISM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 158, 6 July 1937, Page 10

NO ANTAGONISM.

OPPOSITION PARTIES.

LIBERALS AND NATIONALS.

MEETING IN DUNEDIN. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUXEDIX, Monday. A denial that there was any suggestion of antagonism to the National party in the attitude adopted by a certain section of the old Liberal party in Diineclin was given to-day by men who last week attended a meeting of Liberals at which the present political situation was discussed. This meeting, it was stated, was merely a gathering of friends interested in the Liberal viewpoint, at which it was agreed that the measure of support to be accorded by them to the National party should depend on the extent to which the Liberal viewpoint was reflected in that party's policy. The hope was expressed on that occasion that there would be nothing in the National party's policy which would render a breakaway by the Liberals desirable.

The meeting, ■which wae attended by fewer than 12 persons, was presided over by Mr. W. B. Taverner, former member for Dunedin South, who wae Minister of Railways in the first United Cabinet. "The meeting referred to," said Mr.! Taverner to-night, "was of an informal j nature and consisted of a few friends J interested in the Liberal viewpoint who met to discuss the general political. situation. It ehould not be interpreted at this stage as being antagonistic to the- National party. The Liberals are awaiting an announcement of that party's policy, and when that is made they will doubtless arrive at a conclusion as to the support which can be accorded it." More Liberal Outlook Wanted. Although Mr. Taverner declined to comment further, it is gathered that the reason for the action that has been taken by this section of Liberals is that in the National party itself, which was set up to represent all interests opposed to Labour, there is not sufficient recognition of the Liberals in its ranks, or of the body of opinion among the electors at large "which most - nearly corresponds with what might be described a> ft Liberal one. They feel, it is said, that ISe National party as at present constituted is dominated by the Reform element and that in the north, as well as in Dunedin, there is a feeling that a more liberally tinged outlook would be advisable, and that a policy which might be described as a "half-way houee" would be more inclined to appeal to the great majority of the electors than one in which the principles of the Eeform party were dominant. Proof that this attitude is not general among the Liberal members of the National party was provided in the statement of a man who formerly exerted no small influence in the Liberal party when it enjoyed, that name. With j most of the old Liberals, he said, he was solidly in support of the National party, since that was the only way to fight Socialism, and in his opinion it was only I an insignificant section that might | grudge whole-hearted loyalty to the new | party. Any action it could take would; be negligible. The introduction of any] differences into the ranks of the antiLabour forces would be fatal. National Party Statement. The view that the attitude adopted | by those who attended last week's meeting was the result of a misunderstanding was expressed by Mr. J. G. Jeffery, chairman of the Otago and Southland division of the National party. Notices of meetings of the party were sent to all members, he said, and/when some of the older members, representative of both the Reform and Liberal parties, had not attended the meetings this was, 1 regarded as indicating that they were content to allow the younger members to carry on while not in any way lessening their supoprt.

Support for this contention was found in the fact that a. good many of the younger Liberals were Working very enthusiastically for the party. Any dissatisfaction there was had evidently arisen from a misunderstanding by a very small section of Liberal supporters, for the organisation as a whole was going very smoothly and harmoniously.