WANTED : A NAME

Evening Star, Issue 17920, 16 March 1922, Page 2

WANTED : A NAME

[Special to rar. ‘Stak.T

CHRISTCHURCH, March 15. That is the problem that confronts th» Leader of the Opposition (Mr Wilford) and his new partisans, and the leader it is a knotty problem._ The various components of the mass in the mortar require careful handling from tho trestle, and tho new party with its long title seems to be called everything under the sun. That is because the present official title is too unwieldy. With a • Sun 1 interviewer Mr Wilford tnis morning chatted about the long title, and the leader made an official statement :■ —

“ Various newspapers throughout New Zealand,” said Mr Wilford, “have.been combin- titles by which to indicate to the readers the. United Progressiye-Lifceral-Labor Party led by mo. The title is long and not sufficiently tabloid for to-day. Thus we find ourselves referred to as the Now Alliance, tho United Forty, tho ProifTPSsivcs, tho Liberal-Labor Party, and generally as the Liberal Party. It is well known that tho name United Progressive Liberal-Labor Party was arrived at by tho junctioning or fusing of the Moderate Labor Party in Parliament, led by Mr Vcitoh, and tho progressive Stathamitos into a united party with, the addition of others.” Mr Wilford emphasised the fact that lie had resigned the leadership of the Liberal Party at tho end of last session. “Wien‘those members of Parliament who now form the present party led by me met for the first time,” ho continued, “I resigned my position as leader of tho Liberal Party, as that party was linking up with other parties. .1. was then elected lender of the new combination; consequently, to refer to mo as leader of the Liberal Party or to refer to the party ns the Liberal Party omits any reference to the other parties which joined up. 1 have tried to impress on tho people tin anghout New Zealand that such reference is obviously exclusive, and not inclusive.’* Mr Wilford prophesied that there would evolve a new name for his fold. “ I believe/' he said, “that wo will bo known as the United Party. Hoi'over, the name must evolve. 1 notice that Mi. Cilbort M'Kay, farmer, of Hawke’s Bay, .and Mr William Wnckrow, farmer, of Rotorua, have declared themselves as standing for Parliament in the interest of the ‘United Party.’ Personally, I think that will be a satisfactory title, and will clearly distinguish the new party from Mr Massey's party or Mr H. L. Holland s Forbes, M.P., of tho liberal Party, came along at this innotnre, and addea to the remarks of his chief : ‘ I want to emphasise what I’ve sard before ; inis is n new party formed because there was a need and a demand for a change, i think it will bo called ‘The Now Party.’ However. I agree with Mr Wilford that tho name must evolve. It is a party retains tho principles and ideals of the Tib mil Party, conforming to toe new and progressive ideas of to-day.”