POLITICAL UNION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 125, 13 May 1935, Page 8

POLITICAL UNION

REFORM AND UNITED National Federation OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 12. Amalgamation of the Reform •nd United forces in National politics has been effected. It is officially announced by the representative * executive committee which carried out the negotiations for political union that the new organisation has begun operations under the designa- ' tion of the National Political Federation, with headquarters in Wellington, the offices being in Kelvin Chambers.

Mr D. Ardell, who recently retired from the Department of Internal Affairs, has been appointed organiser tor the Federation, and he begins his duties forthwith. He has had wide experience of national organisation, •nd has almost unique knowledge of varied associations and representative men throughout the Dominion. Complete understanding of the Reform and United parties in Parliament, • nd also in the country was foreshadowed last month in a joint statement as to the future of the Coalition Government by the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, leader of the United Party, and Minister of Finance, Mr Coates, leader ot the Reform Party. Before Mr Forbes left Wellington for London last month the respective leaders declared that in their opinion it was necessary that all those interested in the good government of this country should continue to work in the closest co-operation.

The leaders pointed out that the parties had co-operated loyally and effectively for nearly four years, during which time they were encouraged, by the support received throughout the country, to believe that continuation of such co-operation was essential for the Dominion’s welfare if measures to restore confidence and stability that had been initiated were to be carrieo through to a successful conclusion. They expressed themselves as being firmly convinced that the future called for continued effort in the interests of the Dominion.

As regards future policy, the Ministers, in their joint statement, made it dear that although the worst of tht inevitably drastic measures had bee*, dealt with, they recognised that much remained to be done, and that as conditions altered overseas it might be necessary to make further internal adjustments.

Now that amalgamation of the parties has been achieved with the approval of their respective organisations throughout the country, it follows that •11 their activities will be carried out henceforward with complete unity as a National Government, and that all the National Political Federation’s candidates at the general elections will stand as Nationalists.