THE “UNITEDS” LEADER

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 299, 18 September 1928, Page 11

THE “UNITEDS” LEADER

SIR JOSEPH WARD CHOSEN BALLOT FOR POSITION" MINOR OFFICES FILLED POLICY STILL A SECRET Alter three days of deliberation, Sir Joseph Ward, an exPrime Minister of New Zealand, mid the sole Liberal in (he House of Representatives, lias been elected Leader of the United New Zealand Political Organisation.

According to uu oilicial report supplied to the Press by the Dominion organiser of tlie organisation, Mr. A. E. Davy, 51 out of tlie sixty candidates announced, were in attendance at the conference, which was concluded yesterday. "By unanimous resolution, it was agreed that tlie party should go to the polls as ’’Hie United Party.’ stated the report. "The various questious of policy were referred to special committees, which reported to tlie full conference, where the policy was exhaustively discussed and finally determined by ail the candidates assembled. The matter of Leader, Deputy-Leader for the North Island, Deputy-Leader for the South Island, and the personnel of a Parliamentary Council of twelve, have all been decided, and the several oilices filled.” . , , , Continuing, the report credited the de-puty-chairman of the United Party’s organisation (Mr. J. Henderson) with. tlie statement in welcoming Sir Joseph Ward

that the conference was the most impressive and successful political gathering that had ever been held in the history of New Zealand. It was impressive, because of tlie large number of candidates present each and every one actuated by tlie same high ideals. It was successful, because of the unanimity of views regarding policv, and more especially because of its choice of such a distinguished and experienced statesman to lead- the party to the poll. “We sincerely believe, sir, that in choosing yon, we have done the very best for this fair country of ours,” added Mr. Henderson. “To us you are an incarnation of the spirit of real leadership and statesmanship that seems to have fled from the politics of to-day. We know the long-felt want there lias been for it party with a sane policy, and a leader that will bring about financial stabilisation and prosperity. We have come into being to supply that party; the conference was held to supply that policy; and now our leader is here with us. Tlie long experience and profound knowledge of finance for which you are so justly, may I say, . worldfamed, I am certain, will bring about that prosperity that is the right of this young, virile, and progressive country to enjoy. On belinlf of the United New Zealand Political Organisation I pledge you its undivided loyalty and its whole-hearted support, and I do so with the utmost confidence, for I know that you will succeed.” Search for Unity. Mr. W. Perry (Wellington) : I heartily endorse the chairman’s remarks in offering on behalf of the conference the leadership of the party to Sir Joseph Ward. As a member of the executive lie was entirely gratified at tlie choice’ the candidates had made. Tlie object had been to gather together the anti-Socialistie forces of tlie country. Tlie basic principle of the party at the present time must he unity, and it was felt by the conference that tlie best way in which to achieve their main object was to invite Sir Joseph Ward to occupy the position of leader. Tlie country as a whole recognised tlie dire need for a man with the necessary qualifications to stabilise their affairs. It was worth tlie fullest appreciation of these most necessary qualifications that they now approached Sir Joseph Ward, and they sincerely hoped that he could see his way clear to accept tlie position. x . Mr. A. B. Sievwright (Wellington) assured Sir Joseph Ward that the conference was remarkable in its enthusiasm and in its desire to establish a policy that would bring about a return to the prosperity of the country that was so apparent under his (Sir Joseph’s) regime. Support From Mr. Forbes. Mr. G. W. Forbes, M.P., Leader of tlie Nationalist Party, said that together with Mr. T. JI. Wilford, M.P., he waited on Sir Joseph Ward on Sunday afternoon, and told him that his selection as leader was acceptable to the members of the National Party. “You can depend upon my loyal support, which I will give to you in the future, as I have in the past, said Mr. Forbes. “During the years you were Prime Minister, I have always upheld the principles you had stood for, and 1 shall always continue to do so. I thought that the statement from the National Party might help you in coming to a decision. This organisation is trying to bring about unity among the progressive anti-Socialist forces of the Dominion, and I must congratulate it on its selection, and I think in that decision there will be a better chance of unity than there would have been under any other selection. After all, the conference was called for the purpose of selecting a lender. Speaking as an old footballer I accept the decision of tlie referee.” Mr. E. A. Ransom, JI.P. for Pahiattia, said the young and vigorous men ot the party were desirous of replacing tlie present Administration, and of benefiting llic country by I heir services. He conveyed to the leader his great pleasure at Hie appointment, and promised to assist him with his most loyal support. Mr. T. K. Sidey, M.P., expressed himself as much more confident now that the partv was under the capable leadership of Sir Joseph Ward. Anything he could do to assist him lie would lie only too gratified to do so. Messrs. W. J. Broadfoot, T. McDonald, J. Trevetliick. .1. Horn,' JI.P., A. J. Stallworthy, W. E. Taylor, and J. B. Donald also spoke. Sir Joseph Ward’s Reply. Sir Joseph Ward said that no man in Hie position in which be stood at Hie moment could do other than feel very proud. In all the vicissitudes of public life in which lie had taken part lie had never been in tlie position before ol .seeing such :i number ot new men voting, active minds, mingled with a lew older ones, and he did not include himself amongst the latter —(laughter) —-- assembled at a period in the history of the country, and all animated by one desire—a desire to help Hie country they lived in—a country in which many ol them were born. What was wanted in New Zealand was thought and tar more thought. None of us wanted mere

lip service. None of us wanted to regard politics as a mere cbopping : block for the promotion of individual men and to the detriment of the country. Did not Attend Conference. “I feel as I ought to feel, very proud indeed that as the outcome of your conference I have received from you the highest testimony of goodwill towards me—such testimony, as 1 have said, as would make any man feel very proud,” said Sir Joseph Ward.. "I have not attended your conference. As you all know, 1 have not solicited the support of any member of Hie conference, nor of tlie conference as a whole; and I want to tell you my reason for not doing that. I have never been above meeting any member of Parliament or any citizen outside Parliament, and discussing wtih him anything in connection witn public life or the public affairs of this country. On the contrary, I am just as ready to meet any man in that respect as anyone of you here. I have, however, abstained from meeting you because I have a strong feeling that any man who is selected as leader of the party ought to be selected without acrimony; he ought to be selected as the result of the sifting of those assembled here without any interference by him. When a leader is selected under such circumstances he knows that the selection has been made without any influence or pressure so far as lie is concerned. 1 know, therefore, that the decision come to by tlie conference has been the result of the deliberations of the conference. The knowledge of that fact adds to the weight of the decision which has been come to: it adds materially to the force of that decision : and it adds materially to the comfort of Hie man who may be selected. That is the spirit that ought to permeate the party in the future. No party can hope to succeed unless that spirit prevails. and unless goodwill exists both in private and public life on the part of those who wish to see their party and their leader succeed.” Plough of Public Life. Sir Joseph Ward thanked Mr. Forbes, who had been the Leader of the National Party, for the remarks he bad made and tor the goodwill he had expressed in regard to the future. “I did not require that assurance so far as tlie past is concerned,’’ lie added, “because lie lias been a loyal member of the Liberal Party from the time of its inception. And here I may say that 1 am going to accept Hie offer of the leadership of the new party. (Applause). I am only too proud to believe that circumstances over which neither he nor I have had much, if any, control, have brought us again into co-operation in pushing the plough of public life, and in doing so with the result that the new party will come back triumphant after the next general election.” Political Affection. The new leader expressed the hope that as time went on the candidates would cement friendships and promote political affection. If they were to succeed, it htOd to come to that in tlie long run. It was when one was in the deep water of politics—at times when one was chin-deep in the wa'ter of politics—tiiat was the time when one most valued help —tlie sincere help and goodwill that was prompted by the heart. Difficulties of Situation. "It would be idle for you,” continued Sir Joseph Ward, "after such a successful eonierenee, to go buck to your respective districts with tile feeling that everything is going to run smootiily. it will not be so. The way in which you can make things run smoother, mid remove the stumbling blocks that will be raised by your opponents, is to keep your own objective always in view, and treat your opponents fairly and honourably. We are in a wonderful country. 1 cannot remember how many countries 1 have visited. I would like here to recall the fact that 1 have had at times the strongest inducements to take up public lite in other countries. . . Now, let me say one word about the new United Party. 1 will be told Hint I have joined the new party; I will be told that 1 have joined a party with a new name. I am a Liberal. 1 do not give up being a Liberal by having become the leader of Hie United Party. And I want to say to those joining this party that they do not abrogate their views and principles by joining in tlie formation of this party, and in framing its principles. On tlie contrary, this is a party, which under the name of the United Party, throws its doors wide open to all who desire to join it on account of tlie difficulties that have arisen in the public life of New Zealand. It is necessary to have a name under which every section of any party in this country can come in and help in upholding the banner of progress, and the banner of Liberalism when required in the general interests of the country. If our party comes into power it has got to be guided by principles—principles which I am sure will commend themselves to everyone present and to the great majority of the people of this country. We want to lay down a policy which will do no injustice to anyone. We want to lay' down a policy for tlie good of the country as a whole. Not a Light Task. "It is not a light task tliat lies before tlie Government of this country. No one lias ever heard of me cither inside or outside of New Zealand saying or doing anything that is not in the best interests of the country; nor that I hate ever done anything to injure any section of the business community, or of the farmers or workers. . . . There is a great deal of adjustment to be (lone on the basis of farming life and interests; there is a great deal of adjustment to be done on the basis of finance; there is a great deal to be done in the adjustment of taxation ; there is a great deal to be done in the matter of industrial life; and there is a great deal to be done in connection with Hie ordinary life of the people of New Zealand that some party has to do. I believe those desirable objects can be accomplished; and it will be your duty and the duty of those who are returned as members of the United Party to help to carry out a progressive and sound policy, and a policy in the general interests of the people.” Work of Organiser. The ollicial report added that “throughout the conference there were numerous references made to the work of Mr. A. E. Davy, Dominion organiser, and many fine tributes were paid to him.” The occasions on which eulogistic references were made to Mr. Davy were enumerated. “The organisation staff, headed by the provincial organisers, and with fitting speeches from the three provincial organisers, Messrs. Jloller. Wing and Dailey, presented him with a little token of their regard.” PARLIAMENTARIANS SURPRISED DEPUTY-LEADER APPOINTED PLACATING THE NOMINEES Considerable surprise was expressed in Parliamentary circles yesterday when it became known Hint tlie “Uniteds ’ had prevailed upon Sir Joseph Ward to accept Hie leadershii> of the infant party. It was common knowledge tliat Sir Joseph Ward had not attended tlie conference <>£ the organisation, while those who professed to be in close touch with tlie ex-Liberal leader asserted with emphasis that he had no desire to assume the responsibilities of the position, apart from any consideration as to whether the policy and the company would be to his liking. The ollicial report announced merely the selection of Sir Joseph Waul and gave extracts from tlie speeches of congratulation. There is good authority for staling, however, tliat his elevation from private member in the House to leadership is the result of an elimination ballot. Four candidates were nominated for Hie position, Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. G. W. Forbes (present leader of the Nationalist Party), Mr. W. A. Veitch (who endeavoured to bring about a

Liberal revival last year), and Mr. E. A. Ransom (the member for Paliiatua and whip of the Nationalist Party). According to information which has reached tlie lobbies. Mr. Veitch’s name was eliminated at the first ballot, and Mr. Forbes became a casualty at the second trial of strength. Tlie choice then rested between Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Ransom. It is stated that the margin which separated them was narrow, hut Jlr. Ransom offered to retire in favour of the more experienced politician and culled on the remainder of the members of the conference to give Sir Joseph their support. A ballot, however, was insisted on, resulting in the selection of Sir Joseph Ward. The oilicial statement indicated that the positions of deputy-leaders .of the party had been filled, without disclosing Hie personnel. This information is, however, freely available in tlie lobbies. Jlr. Ransom was appointed the deputy leader for the North Island and Jlr. Forbes to a similar position in tlie South Island. Jlr. Veitch was appointed president of tlie executive. Members of tlie House with whom these appointments were discussed suggest that in making them tlie conference has gone out of its. way to placate all Hie nominees for office. When approached for confirmation of an assertion Hint Hie appointment of Sir Joseph Ward was a temporary one, Jlr. Veitch said it was made without qualification and that lie intended to follow Sir Joseph as leader.