NEW PARTY

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1934, Page 6

NEW PARTY

Early Election ? (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. October 6. It is suggested the support of seven D'embers of Parliament has been canvassed by the new Party. A direct question, “Have you been invited to join Democrat Party?” was pu/t tn these numbers. Their replies w»>.a follows: — Mr H. Atniorc (for most of his political career an Independent. but for three years an office-holder in the United Ministry): “I have not been npproaehrd. ’ ’

Mr IL M. Rushworth ( the sole Country ParTy member); “Conversations have taken place, but they are vurely tentative and 'exploratory.’’

Mr A. M. Samuel (elected as a Reform member who broke with the Coalition Party about, two years ago mainly on the ’issue of miners’ widows' pensions'):" “I have been asked tn do many things in my time. 'Fhor'are many reports circulated, most of which are pure lobby gossip ami kF p flving. ’ ’ Mr A. J. Stallwor:hy (a member of the United Ministry for three years who parted from the Coalition Party shortly after its formation’): “I have nothing to say.” Mr W. A- Veitch (originally a Lib-eral-Labour member, a member of the United Ministry for three years, and latterly an Indopendent.Y- “I have no desire to di seuss matter ” Mr O. A. Wilkinson (Reform member from 1912 to 1919, when he J,ntirefl from Parliament, and Tndeper dent from his re-election in 1928 date): “I have not been approached in any way. You can give that a fla* denial. ’ ’

Mr R. A. Wright (for many year* a Reform supporter, an office-holde r in the Coates Ministry, but latterlv Tudepondent): “T have nothing t-' say about that.” Another suggestion heard is that Mr Wilkinson would be a. very suitable leader of the new Party in 'the Hovse. *[n addition to his emphatic denial that he had been approached to join the Party, Mr Wilkinson said in reply to a further question he was not anxious to lead a Party

Vague suggestions of a genera’ election about March or April next have been made freely in the lobbies and it may be for this reason that the Democrat Party is pushing on with its organisation work. A scheme for endeavouring to enlist the support of a bloc of sitting members was. perhaps, only ho be expected, fcr it is generally recognised that a practically hopeless fight is ahead of any political organisation which has not a foot, in ‘.the House. Those who promoted the United Party or seven rears ago realised the wisdom of building up an organisation on Parliamentary foundation, and as the organiser of The D'cmoera.t Pa.> \ is also the person who organised the United Party the similarity in tactics is understandable.