A NATIONAL PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1930, Page 15

A NATIONAL PARTY

(To tho Editor.)

Sir, —At the present time there are three political organisations in New Zealand, the Reform, United, and Labour Partieß. Neither'of these parties-is strong enough to command a majority of the whole House, ,nor does there seem to -be much chance in the near future of this taking place. Suggestions as to the fusion of the Reform with tho United Party and. also of the United with tho Labour Party have been made from lime to time, but nothing has resulted. Does it not seem time that something was done to get together a strong party that would truly represent this Dominion in every respect?

If one analyses the several parties' aims and organisations the position appears to be as follows: —

(1) The Reform Party was formed for the express purpose of fighting the old Liberal Party led i'or twenty y.ears by the late Richard John Sedilon and Sir Joseph Ward. As the Reform Party was in office, from 1912 to 1928, it is evident that its object has long been achieved and that its name is now a misnomer. It has reformed and abolished the. Liberal Party and does not propose to reform its own. Consequently the name is meaningless and the party as a Reform Party does not exist. What, it does profess to do is to combat socialism in its extreme forms, administer the finance of the country on sound i£ somewhat rigid lines, and act as far as possible in the best, interests of the Country in co-operation with the, otlie.r members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Good ideals, but apparently the personnel of the leaders of the party needs livening and changing, as the electors of the Dominion do not appear to place sufficient confidence in them to enable the party to govern on its present policy. (2) The United Party came into power largely through being led by Sir Joseph Ward, whoso name commanded great respect and support, chielly by the younger generation. Now that his failing health has forced him to relinquish leadership it cannot be denied that the party is correspondingly -weakened and that It may fade away as did the Liberal Party. At the same time, it cannot be denied that many of its objects are most laudable and that some of the leaders of the party are worthy of inclusion in any Government that would represent the true interests of New' Zealand. (3) The Labour Party has been steadily growing in strength, and had its leadership been more in accord with the aims of Labour as exemplified at Home the party would probably have been in power ere now. Unfortunately, it has restricted membership by excluding those who do not work solely with their hands, thereby losing much able advice and help, and some of its anils as preached by doctrinaires and practised by the Soviet are not relished >by,the majority of the electors. So long as its left wing maintains views contrary to the generally accepted views of the bulk of the citizens and the party incorporates them, in its platform, it is distinctly handicapped.. Yet many of its objects are excellent, and it has certainly many able men among its executive. Now, what I would like to suggest is that, instead of endeavouring to form a coalition of two or more parties, an entirely new party be formed solely in the interests of New Zealand as a whole. Such party would be called "The National Party," and its aims and objects to be such as would obtain support from all classes of the community. . If a general meeting of the new party -, were called in Wellington the .three existing political parties would be invited to send delegates to it, and all organisations having the welfare of the Dominion at heart could also send representatives. A general council of the new party could be appointed and a policy and platform framed that would commend themselves to the citizens generally. The existing parties would dissolve entirely and their members join the new party, thus enabling the very best executive and Government to be elected. Even if-one party stood aloof, still, by sinking minor differences, the other two parties could supply such a membership, ability, and leadership as would command universal respect and support. The National Party would not be a simple coalition of two existing parties, but would be a National Party composed of the representatives of the citizens of the Dominion. It would have national aims, and not sectional aspirations only. It would be for the general welfare 'of the community and comprise the primary producers, the secondary producers, the professional classes,' the manual labourers, women's organisations, and would in every way seek to better the conditions of our national life and individual prospects. This can only be brought about by forming a new party altogether, which would elect new leaders composed of the ablest representatives of each class of the community and by the existing political parties, with their worn-out cries and mock warfare, ceasing to exist as separate entities.

We have the men and women capable of leading the new party. Which of the present leaders in Parliament and out of it will come forward, raise the standard of the National Party, and lead the country into a purer and more bracing political atmosphere and place the interests of New Zealand paramount above sectional and parochial influences. Now is the time. Where is the man ? In the past Ballahce, Scddon, and Massey each led a national party. Only by sinking personal interests and placing, national interests above, all can New Zealand prosper.—l am, etc.,

W. E. JOURDAIN,