NOT CONFINED TO LIBERALS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 147, 23 June 1924, Page 8

NOT CONFINED TO LIBERALS

COMBINATION WITH REFORM

.VIEWS OF PROMINENT

AUCKLANDERS.

(BY TELBORAPH.—SPECIAL TO THIS POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

The reported intention of Southern Liberals to form a new party was on Saturday referred to Mr. H. R. M'Kenzie, chairman of the Harbour Board, who was asked if a 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. There were also one or two Labour members quite eligible in a. National Party.. The present Parliament contained more than one man capable of making a good leader. For such a leader Mr. M'Kenzie believed a'eady .support would, be found in the ' House: and the country. There, were candidates ready to bear the standard of euch a party; men capable of looking at public questions .from thu national prepared to master the subject on which they were expected to votej and'not simply herding in the party lob'b'y"at''th'e behest of the'leader. There was no doubt Mr Maseey and his party had done splendid work for the Domin•ion.« Of Mr. Massey it could be said •New Zealand, .never had. a straighter man as 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 "In"the course"of time." ' "Mr.. M'Kenzie added that if a National Party were formed on the 'ines mentioned he would support it, and be' willing to contest ■ a seat, possibly Manukau, under its aus"pices. ■ - - '■ -..- ....

"A leader is the first essential," said Mr. Mackenzie, "and there is in Parlia- ' merit to-day a capable leader for a party \ which could be formed. I believe its canj dictates .Vouli' sweep the polls at an election", if they "stood .-ts'Vepre'sentatives of all the people." The feeling: of unrest in political matters was noticeable, not only in.Auck- . land, but in Wellington and Dunedin, ,;said Mr: William-. Wallace chairman of the Hospital Board, discussing-the same question./ lit.-,was generally .felt, that fetter . men. could ,b.e; got, tp represent ,the country in the House. It was considered there were better men in the House, to■..da^.than some,included in the Cabinet.

The report that he was likely to be a candidate for, the National Party, if formed, was referred to by Mr. Wallace. He had heard such.a report in Wellington, but had nothing to say on the matter., •:' -, ..,- .- „ ... -„'.-i