NATIONAL PARTY

Evening Star, Issue 22328, 2 May 1936, Page 21

NATIONAL PARTY

NEW ORGANISATION PLANNED ALL SOCIALISATION OPPONENTS INCLUDED [Teh United Phess Association.] WELLINGTON, May 1. A conference of delegates from tho electorates of New Zealand has been called by tho Dominion Executive of the National Party. It will be hold at Wellington on May 13 and 14, Mr C. H. Weston, K.C., chairman of the Dominion Executive, said in an interview to-night that an excellent response had been received fo the invitations, some electorates deciding to send as many as six delegates each. “The principal business of the conference will be a new organisation,” Mr Weston said.

The result of the poll in November last has made possible—in fact, necessary—a certain amount of reconstruction, and the party is to be reconstituted on a basis that will allow people holding views contrary to tho present Government’s policy of socialisation of all activities to form themselves into one party extending over New Zealand.

The party hopes to lake* advantage of its being in Opposition to unite all electors of a similar persuasion in its efforts to organise for the next election. This is to be held two and a-half years hence, and, considering the nature of the Government’s programme, the possibility of an earlier election cannot be entirely disregarded. The new constitution for a party based on the elective principle is to be considered by the conference. Under the constitution an electoral committee and divisional and Dominion councils will all be elected at the conference. Women and younger voters are to be specially considered and their assistance invited.”

Mr Weston added that the party organisation had reports from many parts of the Dominion that there was a feeling of uneasiness abroad caused by the nature of the Government’s legislation and by the financial commitments being made with no definite information as to how they were to be met ultimately by the taxpayer and the consuming public. LEADERSHIP QUESTION DISCUSSED BY DUNEDIN BRANCH The proposal for the formation of a Dominion party against Socialism was fully discussed at a meeting of the National Party in Dunedin in Easter week, when Mr C. H. Weston, Iv.C. (Wellington), was present. Messrs A. E. Ansell (president) and A. C. Laing (secretary) were appointed the Central Executive’s delegates to the national conference in Wellington this month, and it is likely that the various electorates will have individual representation. The desire of many in the National Party for a change of parliamentary leadership was, it is reported, strongly expressed at the meeting, statements being made that electors in Otago had lost faith in Messrs Forbes and Coates.

Although the National Party represents an alliance of Reform and United interests, it is authoritatively stated that the United section have no wish for a permanent alliance with their former opponents, and a revival of the old Liberal Party is likely to be attempted. A prominent Liberal stated to-day that all along he and others who had thrown in their lob with the Coalition had felt that they were not completely in sympathy with the Reform section.

“ It is obvious, however, that Labour, with its Socialistic programme, must be strongly opposed, and if the Dominion conference can put forward a new National leader who is likely to have the confidence of the country and the power to inspire his followers it is almost certain that the alliance of Reform and Liberal will continue,” said a man closely associated with the party.