THINGS POLITICAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 163, 25 June 1928, Page 9

THINGS POLITICAL

"the coming elections. A LOOKER-ON’S~IMPRESSI()NS

"Things political arc now warming up in the capital city, and little difficulty is experienced in getting into an argument, If one feels so disposed. Various organisations desirous of Influencing political opinion are holding conferences, passing remits, and carrying resolutions, all aimed at the education or demoralisation of Parliamentarians.” That is what a Canterbury pastoralist who has returned from a visit to the North Island told a reporter of the “Sun” on Thursday, in summing up the present political situation. “Reform headquarters,” he continued, “profess to be quite unperturbed, statitng that they have candidates selected or in course of selection for every seat in the Dominion, all ready to go to the poll if called upon, and asking nothing better than a fair field and no quarter. "Labour, although working more silently than in previous campaigns, is known to be well organised over a much wider area than ever before. Indications are not wanting that the success obtained in both by-eleotions will be repeated in other electorates when the final numbers are hoisted.

"Rumour is more than busy regarding the extravagant claims made on behalf of the United Party by its effervescent organiser, Mr. A. E. Davy. The variety of his ‘tales in four' cities’ is causing several of those prominent in the United movement at its inception to wonder exactly where they now stand. “'Tlie penning into one political fold of pro-controllers and anti-con-trollers, freetraders and protectionists, having a grouch against the Government, apparently is exercising all the ingenuity of the party’s com-mander-in-chief. "In addition, the selection of a leader apparently is causing difficulty, and several names are being mentioned. Sir Joseph Ward, it is Known, was pressed to accept the position before leaving for abroad, but it is freely stated that he refused the honour. No doubt he had bitter recollections of 1911. and the part played then by more than one now in the movement seeking the formation of a new party. “The name of Mr. W. .T. Polson is now being mentioned freely as a possible leader, but this suggestion is not taken seriously in well-informed city circles. “Mr. J. W. Broadfoot, a candidate for the Waitomo seat, is also supposed to aspire to the vacant position, and, according to rumour, he is credited with being more outspoken than other claimants. “When he was addressing an invitation-convened meeting at Manakarere a few weeks ago, It is said that Mr. Broadfoot, replying to a direct question about the leadership, stated that Mr. G. W. Forbes would not be the leader of the United Party, nor oould he (Mr. Broadloot), as one of the promoters of the party, support Mr. Forbes. “It is said that Mr. Broadfoot, at the same meeting, briefly outlined tho United Party’s policy under the following headings:— 1. Closer settlement, radiating from the centres. 2. Confiscation by the Crown of all native lands at producing value. 3. Secondary industries to be developed under a gradually-decreas-ing tariff. 4. Tariff to be protective, but not revenue-producing. 5. Assisted immigration to be available only to those prepared to go upon the land. “All this and much more is being discussed, but the general belief is becoming more definite that the real fight will be Reform v. Labour, and that the United Party, when fully disclosed, will prove to be the same old Nationalist Party in a different suit of clothes.”