A New Political Party.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20776, 9 February 1933, Page 8

A New Political Party.

An almost inevitable consequence ol! the recent disagreements in the ranks of the Coalition Gpvemment party and the brefk-away of several of its members is the attempt by the discontented members, abetted by rejected and aspiring politicians, to form n new party. There have been rumours of such a movement for some time and

yesterday's meeting in Wellington confirmed them. From that meeting very little about the aspirations and aims of the promoters emanated, beyond the declaration that the group proposed to be formed was not, as had been suggested, one to represent purely city interests. As all political parties lay claim to dual representation, the declaration is of no great moment. It will remain for the embryo party, if it becomes established, to convince astute ejectors of the sincerity of its claim. Up till the present time the city versus country controversy, so bjtter in some other Dominions, has not been very seriously raised in New Zealand. It would be nothing less than a national calamity if it were permitted to assume significant proportions because of a set of conditions as lamentable as they have been largely Unavoidable. The new party, as its prospective members must realise, will not be formed under the healthiest auspices. A party with a grievance, no less than a man with the same unfortunate affliction; is not likely to receive a very patient or a very favourable hearing. Discontent is a poor foundation for constructive effort, j Nevertheless, whatever its actual success at the polls, the intervention of a new party at any future election might have very serious consequences for the country under the first-past-the-post system of,voting. It might, and in all probability would result in considerable vote-splitting. The possible consequences are too serious to be ignored. Whatever faults the Labour party may have, its supporters can always be relied upon to return a solid vote, and the more parties that oppose it, the better its election prospects. The new party, therefore, will not disarm criticism by proving, which will be difficult, that it is not a city party. It must also prove that it has a valid excuse for wanting to split the anti-Labour vote —and that, unless we arc much deceived by appearances, it will not succeed in doing.