UNITED PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 55, 8 March 1929, Page 11

UNITED PARTY

FUSION NOT WANTED

"ABSORB THE OTHERS''

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post")

AUCKLAND, This Day

Eulogistic references were made to Mr. 0. A. Moller, lately appointed Dominion organiser of the United Political Parly, when a presentation was made to him yesterday by the Auckland Provincial Executive.

Mr. J. Trevithick, chairman, said that Mr. Moller had been a real friend to the party throughout the General Election, aiid the United Parliamentary representation in Auckland was a monument to his work. The right thing had been done in appointing Mr." Moller Dominion organiser, for a man who had done so much in Auckland would be even more valuable at headquarters in Wellington.

Mr. J. S. Fletcher, M.P., said that since the United Party became such a great political force in New Zealand much had been said about fusion. The stand taken by Sir Joseph Ward was the right one. The party did not want to fuse with any other.

It was a mistake to hold on to the old name of Liberal, and the United Party should absorb the best elements in the Labour and Reform ranks. There could be no thought of fusion on any other principle, and the principles enunciated by the United Party prior to the General Election were those to which the party should adhere if it wcru to attract these men and give the country what was wanted. "In tho high days of Gladstone, Cobden, and Bright, tho 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 Eeform's best element. For that reason we have found tho best name in United." . •

Speeches were also made by Mr. G. Munns, M.P., and by Messrs. E. Allen and K. H. Greville, who stood in the United Party interests. Mr. Allen said that Mr. Moller had one of the poorest organisations to build up. The party had been extremely fortunate in its organisers.

"Do not let us live in a fool's paradise," said the Hon. A, J. Stallworthy. "The United Party is in a minority in the House. Most of the organisation lies ahead of us, and wo have to accomplish greater things than have been done." The speaker said that the accomplishment of the party had indeed been a romantic one. It had achieved something unprecedented in political animals.

The presentation of an inscribed pen and pencil was made to Mr. Moller by Mr. H. E. Jenkins, M.P,