N.Z. DEMOCRATS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1935, Page 6

N.Z. DEMOCRATS

ELECTION GOSSIP IN ,LONDON LONDON,, July 28. The “Daily -Express,” London, continues to entertain its readers with gossip concerning the approaching general election in New Zealand. Under the headings “Empire Free Trade t.* Election Plank” and “Judge to lead New Zealand Fight,” the “Daily Express” published the following from its special correspondent in Auckland “New Zealand is approaching a critical general election.

“The daysof.,the, Forbes— (joates Gpriscrvative-Lilicifal;oj|!itiqn'.AdnLjnisH; tration are bolievcdi'to, be', aiufnhered. The Labonr Pqfssf||)elieyeAy that ('The discontent ovep’/the present Adininistrationv).;.,will’ be'-sufficient to overthrow it.->'#|:7 ' • U v V “Pubtim attehUinu is focussed on the new Democratic Party as an alternative.

“This party will he led by Sir Alexander Lawrence .Herdman,” who is about'to retire from the Supreme Court- Bench. ' “DemoeraGc candidates havo been selected for every seat.

“The Democratic party, was founded by Mr William GOodfellow, New Zealand’s ‘Dairy King.’ The first and predominant plank in its platform Is unequivocal Empire free trade. “The party is confident of securing the balance of power in the next Parliament.

“ ‘Locarno’ will play a big part in the election campaign. An anti-Locarno league is. being formed in Auckland, whose object is to pledge every New Zealand candidate on the ‘Locarno’ issue to plead with-the Motherland not to imperil the Empire by European entanglements. “Sir Alexander Herdman is 66, and was a banker before be became a lawer. ■He was Attorney-General of New Zealand, 1912-18, and is now senior Judge of the Supreme Court.

“Mr William Good fellow is a farmer’s son who started his business career as an ironmonger, and then turned his attention to dairies.”