THE REFORM PARTY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 261, 31 July 1929, Page 10

THE REFORM PARTY

RUMOURED DISINTEGRATION SUGGESTION RIDICULED WHO WAS THE AUTHOR? The suggestion that a new Reform Party is being formed, as alleged in special messages published by Government organs, is laughingly ridiculed by members of the Opposition in Parliament. Although members have taken the matter as a joke, it has its serious side, since it is suspected that United ’arty headquarters in Wellington were not altogether unconnected with its authorship. The message as transmitted from Wellington was as follows:—

A political sensation has been caused by the statement that there is an attempt to reorganise the Reform Party, and rechristen the party New Reform. Mentioned as the possible head of the party is Sir James Parr, who is returning from London in September next Prominent members of the movemen are said to be Mr. F. Waite, M.P. for Clutha, Mr. J. Nash, of Palmerston North, and Mr. A. M. Samuel, of Thames. It is also reported that overtures were mad? to Mr. R. W. Hawke, of Kaiapoi, for him to lead the party, but that he refused to do so. The proposals include an overhaul of the Reform Party's platform and the forming of organisations to be known as the New Reform Councils of Advice. Mr. Lyle, Of Wellington, has been appointed organiser.

The members mentioned were interviewed and all discounted the rumour as ridiculous. Here is what they say:

Mr. F. Waite (Clutha): There is not a particle of truth in the suggestion that any reorganisation of the Reform Party is contemplated or that I am associated with such a movement. Mr. Coates enjoys the complete confidence of every member of the party. Moreover, there is no need to change the name of the party, for in three years’ time all those people who pay taxes of any kind will be demanding reform in many directions. I have attended many party meetings during the past four weeks, and I have never heard a whisper of complaint about Mr. Coates. On the contrary, he is more securely entrenched in the esteem of his fellowmembers than at any previous time. When Mr. Coates's opponents stoop to the circulation of rubbish of this kind they must still be a little afraid of the Leader of the Opposition. I for one am proud to serve with and under one of the most able administrators that this country has ever had. Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston) : I absolutely deny the rumour that I intend breaking from the Reform Party and forming a new party along with Mr. Samuel and Mr. Waite. It is the first I have heard about it. lam quite satisfied also that the other two members will not leave the party they hold in such high regard. In my opinion the Reform Party was never more solid as a body than it is to-day. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Thames): This is rich! I almost feel constrained to follow the lead of Mr. Black and ask the Prime Minister whether legislation will not be introduced to prevent the circulation of such canards! It is too absurd for words. The Leader of the Opposition (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates): You may look for such rumours. The Parliamentary representatives of the Reform Party are sound and loyal and it is regrettable that Sir James Parr’s name should bandied around while that gentleman is absent from the country on important work. Mr. D. Jones (Mid-Canterbury), seen yesterday, claimed that the Reform Party had never been stronger than at present. He ridiculed any suggestion of a new party being formed. Mr. R. W. Hawke (Kaiapoi) was quite amused when the report was referred to him. He burst into laughter and said: “Here’s another of them! If there is to be a new party, and it is dependent upon R. W. Hawke as leader, there will be no new party.”