CONFERENCE OVER

Evening Post, Issue 47, 23 August 1935, Page 10

CONFERENCE OVER

SELECTION OF LEADER

NO OFFICIAL STATEMENT

MR. HISLOP MENTIONED

The conference of Democrat Party candidates and prospective candidates which lias been sitting in Wellington since Wednesday concluded" about 2 o'clock this afternoon. Throughout the proceedings tho "greatest secrecy as to the actions of the conference has been observed and the same state of affairs existed today. No statement was made to the Press regarding the selection of a leader, but it was generally reported that the choice had fallen on theiMayor of Wellington (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop). Mr. Hislop, whose name has been closely associated with the Democrat Party for some weeks, presided over the greater part- of- the conference deliberations. Sir Alexander Herliman did not attend the meeting at any stage. It is understood that he forwarded a letter to the conference, but its contents were not divulged to the Press. The conference usually :adjourns at 1245 p.m., but today it was nearly" 2 o'clock before-there was an indication that-the meeting intended to disperse. It' is understoc/d that the delegates were awaiting the arrival of a certain individual-before breaking up,- but evi-dently-came to the conclusion that they had gone 'far enough past the luncheon hour.' J , ' ; Shortly • before,; 2. o'clock much' handclapping was /audible from the conference vrobm, land - then: the •■ National- Arit^em^'was; sung.: The door opened; and tfte delegates'began .to' file out. . 'At'this stage the Mayor of Wellington (Mr.'T.'.C.'A.'Hislop) stepped out of! the lift and arrived outside the conference 'room. '•'; He appeared somewhat nonplussed to 'find the conference just breaking up. As ■he stood near ■ the dgorway .members Of: the conference shook hands with: him as they left the room.

The Dominion organiser of the party (Mr. A.- E: Davy) stated to a "Post" reporter •subsequently, that' the, conference, had: concluded its business.