NATIONAL PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1937, Page 10

NATIONAL PARTY

COUNCIL MEETING

INCREASED MEMBERSHIP

A marked increase in membership of the National Party was recorded in reports submitted to a meeting of the Dominion Council of the party yesterday. It was emphasised that in country districts farmers were feeling the heavy increase in the costs of production, while in the cities housewives particularly were becoming apprehensive of further additions to the cost of living. There were present at the meeting the Hon. A. Hamilton (Leader of the Opposition), Colonel C. H. Weston, K.C. (who presided), Mr. E. E. Hammond, Wellington, Mr. J. Hargest, M.P.. for Awarua, Mr. W. A. Bodkin, M.P. for. Central Otago, Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P. for Patea, Mr. J. H, Mcllroy (We> lington), Mr. H. G. Livingstone (Christchurch), Mr. C. Hedges (Oamaru), Mr. P. W. Doidge (Auckland), Mr. J. M. Allen (Waikato), the Hon. F. Waite, M.L.C. (BalcluthsO, Messrs. F. P. Kelly (Hastings), Vernon Reed (Auckland), Norton Francis (Christchurch), J."H. Irving (Wairarapa), J. H. Rhodes (Christchurch), H. S. S. Kyle, M.P. (Christchurch), K. C. Duckworth (Hawera), Lisle Alderton (Auckland), A. Gordon (Auckland), H. Gridley (Blenheim), J. G. Jeffery (Dunedin), C. George (Auckland), B. McLeod (Coly-! ton), T. K. Sidey (Dunedin), E. E. I Nicholson (Dunedin).

Arrangements were made for the forthcoming annual Dominion conference of the party, which will be held shortly after Parliament meets. The tentative time for the conference is early in September.

A caucus of the party Was held today, Mr. Hamilton presiding, when opportunity was taken by members to discuss numerous matters affecting the Parliamentary side of the parly's organisation. The deliberations were continued this afternoon.