UNITED PARTY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 140, 9 March 1929, Page 8

UNITED PARTY

"CHANGE OF NAME FULLY JUSTIFIED” Dominion Special Service. Auckland, March 8. A belief that it was a mistake to hold on to the old name of “Liberal” so far as the United Party was concerned was expressed by Mr. J. S. Fletcher, M.P., in a speech at a United Party gathering in honour of the Dominion organiser. The party should absorb the best elements in the Labour and Reform ranks, but there could be no thought of fusion on any other principle, said Mr. Fletcher. The principles enunciated by the United Party prior to the general election were principles- to which the party should adhere if -it was to attract these men and give the country what was wanted.

- “It is a mistake to my way of thinking to hold on to the name of Liberal. In the high days of Gladstone, Cobden and Bright the name of Liberalism did stand for something, but we have outgrown it,” declared Mr. Fletcher. “Mr. Seddon was a Liberal-Labour man; he had advanced a stage and we have gone one better and taken in Reform’s best elements. For that reason we have found the best name in' United.” Mr. Fletcher said the term “United. Party” was a direct statement of policy and it described the party correctly, for the party was united in its ideals. <