THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18107, 24 June 1924, Page 6

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

TALK OF A NEW PARTY.

SUPPORT FROM AUCKLAND.

(SPECIAL TO "THB PRESS.")

AUCKLAND, June 23,

That the political pot has been simmering, if not boiling furiously, during the recess is indicated by some remarks made to-day by Mr J. S. Dickson, member for Parnell, who is Senior 'Government Whip. He was questioned on the subject of the rising of a National Party from both the Reform .and Liberal ranks—with possibly a small Labour element—one tho Auckland promoters of which is Mr H. R. Mackenzie. "I think there is a good deal in what Mr Mackenzie has said," replied Mr Dickson, "because the time has arrived when there can be only two parties in New Zealand. I believe that it is absolutely necessary that there should be reconstruction of the present Cabinet. Nothing less will satisfy the country. I also believe that, when the next election comes along, a strong National Party will be formed, more especially to fight the city electorates. This party will be more or less a fusion of the forces of Reform and Liberalism." "Can these Parties sink their differences sufficiently?" Mr Dickson was asked.

"I believe that could be arranged,'" he said. "There will be some dissatisfied members on both sides, of course." "Then" Mr Dickson was asked, "there is more in this talk of forming a National Party than meets thy ev . e ?" "i r es, I think so, as far as the cities are concerned," replied the uitiinber. "(Jjuntliy members and country people are talking about a Country party, and I think a National party will come from the cities and be a success. It would not be surprising if there was an amalgamation ot the two. It would not be so strong on party lines as either the present or the previous Government. A broad National point of view would be brought to bear on all questions. That is merely my idea. I have not been approached on the question, But feeling in the electorates points in that direction."

Early Election Forecast. "Do you think there will be an early election?" Mr Dickson was asked.

"Yes," he replied. "I do not think that we will be able to carry through this session. I do not think the Government will get its measures through, and an appeal to the country is quite likely. This is my opinion as a private member and as Government "Whip. Last session we would not have got through but for the fact that Mr Massey had to attend the Imperial Conference. Neither the Liberal Party nor the Labour Patty was prepared to take the responsibility of preventing him from going. That consideration does not now apply, and I fail to see where we are going to get any help to carry through' measures." "Will the Labour Party be prepared to'force an election at this stage? " Mr Dickson was asked. He hesitated a moment.

''There js the effect of the railway strike. That is as yet an. unknown quantity," he said. "There is some trouble in the Labour ranks over it, but I think that the Liberals and Labour will do anything to put Mr Massey out of power." Questioned on the subject of the present Liberal campaign, Mr Dickson said there was no possible hope of the Liberals improving: their position. In the first place, leadership whs lacking, but in any case extreme Labour was almost bound to become the official Opposition, and there was no room for two parties among the' electors who were opposed to extreme Labour. He was inclined to think that there was a good deal of bluff about Mr Wilford's campaign. Summed up, Mr Dickson's attitude anoears to be that, owing to what he believes to be strong dissatisfaction with Cabinet as at present constituted, the of the Liberal cause, the recognised need for moderate opinion to unite against extreme Labour, and a growing national sentiment, the next election will find a fusion of 'Reform and Liberal forces under a leader acceotable to both, and the National Party banner raised. The Best Men to Combine. The reported intention' of southern Liberals to form a new political party was referred to Mr H. It. Mackenzie, who was asked if a somewhat similar proposal had not been discussed in Auckland. He said the matter had received some attention, but the movement was not confined to the Liberals. The idea was to combine the best men in the Reform and Liberal Parties, and there were also one or two Labour members who would be quite eligible in a National Party. Actually very little that was fundamental separated the parties to-day. Asked if the formation of a new party was likely to affect the grouping of parties during the duration of the present Parliament, Mr Mackenzie said:

"Personally I think the present Parliament will carry on until its term expires. Many of the members were elected by a small majority, or, in other cases, through a split vote. These members do not want another test, but prefer to draw the salary of £450 a year as long as possible. The only chanc6 of an early election is by the present Government forcing one, which also is not likely."

Tribute to Mr Massey. "There is no doubt Mr Massey and his party have done splendid work for this Dominion. Of Mr Massey it can safely be said that New Zealand has never had a straighter man as its leader, or one more loyal to the Empire, but when he retires the Reform Party will follow the way of all political groups and be replaced by another party in the course of time."

"Opinion Eipe for National Party." Mr Mackenzie added that, if a National Party were formed on the lines he had mentioned, he would give it his support. Moreover, he would be willing to contest a seat, possibly Manukau, under its auspices. He was confident that opinion was ripe for the coming of a National Party, which would worthily represent and foster the best impulses of the country, ftloreover, there was a demand, and a very general one, for a better class of representative in the House. Mediocrity seemed to be the password to-day. Talent, honesty, and conviction was his ideal for members of the new partv. He could not mention names, but such men would willingly offer their services to the country under the banner pf a party that commanded both enthusiasm and respect.

YOUNG NEW ZEALAND.

A PARTY IN THE AIR.

(special to "the press."')

WELLINGTON", June 23,

The rumours that have been in circulation regarding the formation c£ a Young New Zealand Political Party are not taken seriously. For years we have been hearing of a Toung New Zealand Party, but it never comes to anything; indeed, it is generally recognised that there is already one party too many in New Zealand'politics. Meantime the birth of the party is wrapped in mystery, and has not been registered. Enquiries are being made as to,the parentage of the foundling. It is stated that the document setting out the policy of the unregistered infant bore upon it the name of Mr William Stevenson, and that a Mr "William Stevenson has acted in a secretarial capacity for the Hon. J. A. Hanan, tho member for Invercargill.

MR WILFORD AND MR ROLLESTON.

"THE MAN FOR GALWAY."

(special to "the press.")

WELLINGTON, June 23.

Notwithstanding Mr Frank Holieston's denial of Mr Wilford's statement that Mr Rolleston is to be tho leader of the suggested new political party, Mr Wilford maintains that his original statement is correct. "1 quite believe," says Mr Wilford, "that Mr Rolleston was never consulted by the 'Southland News,' and quite fcred'it his statement that he had never heard of any move 6uch as 1 outlined on Saturday last I have reason for stating at the present time that Mr Frank Rolleston was 'the man for Galway' in the mind of the 'Southland News/ and I maintain that position, as I stated last Saturday. It is not any proof that Mr Rolleston is willing to be used for the purposes of tho 'Southland News,' merely because the 'Southland News' considers that he (Mr Rolleston) will fill the bill. But the lesson of the great discovery is this, that the new leader decided upon by the 'Southland News' has not been approached yet, and does not even know of the great move which, it is suggested will disintegrate the present Liberal Party. There was not much evidently to make a big story about, was there?"

Politicians generally must be much puzzled by these statements, but must decide for themselves which to believe.

Meantime the daily topical writer in the "Dominion" puts the position rather aptly and humorously when he says, "The mystery as to the identity of the leader alleged to be capable of leading the Liberal Party to success remains unsolved. • The only certain fact is that the person referred to is not Mr Wilford."

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

SPECULATION AS TO LENGTH

OF SESSION.

(SPECIAL TO "TTfS JPBBSS.")

WELLINGTON, June 23,

Members are already arriving for the opening of Parliament on Thursday. Among those who have already reached Wellington are the Hon. C. E. Statham, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr T. K. Sidey, and Colonel Allen Bell.

Cabinet sat this afternoon and considered the Speech that is to be delivered by the Governor-General on the opening day, and also some of the Bills that are to be introduced.

Last session lasted only eleven weeks, but the present one, if it runs its v ordinary course, will probably last for about twenty weeks. There is, however, always the prospect that unreasonable opposition, or the actual blocking of business, may lead the Prime Minister to seek a dis solution, so as to give the country the opportunity of returning a party that will give it a Government capable of putting through its policy. Whatever may happen there can be little doubt that Mr Massey holds the key to the position. Upper House Appointments. I have already mentioned that the appointment of two new Legislative Councillors will presently be announced. It is understood that Mr A. S. Malcolm, who was a member of the last Parliament, will be one of the appointees. His very lengthy Parliamentary service and his excellent work for several years as Chairman of Committees fully warrants such an appointment.

(raess association teleobak.) WELLINGTON, June 23. A lengthy sitting of Cabinet took place this afternoon, and the Prime Minister afterwards stated that the programme for the session had been under diseussion.

"lam already at work on the Financial Statement," added Mr Massey, "and it will be completed within a few days, but of course the Estimates have also to be considered in connexion with it."

"NO DISSOLUTION."

(special to "the press.")

WELLINGTON, June 23,

"There is a lot in the air about a dissolution," remarked Sir John Luke, M.P., when responding to Che toast of "Parliament" at a social evening of the Karori Rifle Club on Saturday eveumg, "but God help this country if we are going to break Parliament up and get more parties than we have at the present time. It i 3 one of the saddest things to see a community setting town against country." "There will he no dissolution; you can make your minds quite easy about that," said Mr It. A. Wright, M.P : , at a later stage. "This Parliament is going to see its way through. In my judgment it is just as well that an election should not take place till the duo time. If an election takes place there would be very little change. '