NATIONAL PARTY PROPOSAL

Evening Star, Issue 20853, 24 July 1931, Page 7

NATIONAL PARTY PROPOSAL

WHY IS LABOUR EXCLUDED? [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 24. “ One wduld think to read the report of the Prime Minister’s _ statement in reference to the formation of a National Party that the Parliamentary Labour Party did not exist,” said a prominent member of the Labour Party to a reporter when discussing the arrangement come to by the Reform and United Parties in regard to Hurunui and Kaipara seats. “It is quite obvious to everyone,” he added, “ that there is a definite move going on between Reform and United supporters for the purpose of showing a united front to Labour at the coming election. Mr Forbes speaks of the desirability of unity among all sections of the community, and begins to give effect to what he calls unity by deliberately excluding Labour from any consideration in the matter. There are twenty Labour members in the House, and it cannot bo said that they do not represent a large section of the community, whether the Prime Minister likes our politics or not. To speak of unity, and at the same time leave Labour members and their supporters out of consideration, is only another attempt to draw a red herring across the path. The Leader of the Labour Party is entitled to expect the same courtesy as is extended to the other> leaders—that is, if there is any real desire for unity. The reason for our exclusion is obvious.”