DEMOCRAT PARTY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 August 1935, Page 7

DEMOCRAT PARTY

WILL MR. HISLOP BE LEADER? A GENERAL EXPECTATION SIB A. HERDMAN’S ABSENCE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. Although' no official announcement . as. to the decisions reached at the conference of candidates and prospective - candidates of the" Democrat Party is j. .'likely to be made until next week, * there is reason to believe that the Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, has been selected to lead tho party at the general election this year. When the policy of the party is announced it is possible that there will .be a parent an attempt to reconcile the interests of the Dominion manufacturer with the securing of a greater measure of reciprocal trade with Great Britain. It is believed that the policy as originally foreshadowed has been modified in certain important respects. The conference, which had been meeting since Wednesday morning, concluded about 2 o’clock this afternoon. The provincial organisers then met to consider future activities.

DIFFERENCES OF OPINION? When Sir Alexander Herdman a few days ago announced his intention to re-enter politics it was thought he would become the leader of the Democrats. He did not attend this week’s conference, and it is understood he has had differences of opinion with the party as a whole. This development is believed to have been a factor in the selection of Mr Hislop, who has presided over the conference. Mr Hislop was absent when the conference ended yesterday afternoon, buty he arrived at the room used by the confernce in the Commercial Travellers’ Club just as the delegates were dispersing. He was warmly received and all the delegates shook bands with him before leaving the building. It is known that Mr Hislop has already been invited to address public meetings in various parts of the Dominion. In political circles there is curiosity and considerable speculation as to the seat which Mr Hi's’op proposes to contest. It is generally agreed that the possibility of his winning a Wellington seat is somewhat slender, and Wairarapa, Masterton and Otaki have been mentioned as constituencies, one of which he may decide to contest. Owing to the confused state of affairs in Otaki, it is thought he is hardly likely to stand for that electorate. HIGH EXCHANGE OPPONENT Colonel T W. McDonald, who attended this week’s conference and represented Wairarapa in the House of Representatives from 1928 to 1931, has already announced his intention of standing for Wairarapa as a Democrat, so that some rearrangement acceptable to Colonel McDonald would be necessary if Mr Hislop were to contest that seat. Mr Hislop, however, has been throughout an uncompromising opponent of the Government’s high exchange policy, and his attitude in that connection would no doubt lessen his chances of return for a rural elects orate like Wairarapa. In those circumstances he may decide to seek election for Masterton. If Mr Hislop addresses meetings in various parts of the Dominion, it is possible he will make extensive use of the aeroplane for travelling from one place to another. It is gathered that the conference appointed a small committee to prepare a statement for publication at an early date. Before the conference ended a presentation was made to Mr Davy on behalf of the candidates and the various provincial organisations, and tributes were paid to his work on behalf of the party.