ELEMENT OF MYSTERY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 224, 21 August 1935, Page 7

ELEMENT OF MYSTERY

THE DEMOCRAT CONFERENCE. NO STATEMENT TO PRESS. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 21. The conference of the Democrat political organisation opened to-day ■with an element of mystery, which should further stimulate interest in its doings. ‘•There will bo no statement to the Press,” declared Mr E. A. Davey, the organiser, when approached. ‘‘As a matter of fact, the conference is an essential preliminary to iorniulating the election programme and it is expected to occupy two days, with evening meetings, before it is in a position to take the public fully into its conlidence.”

Tho ‘‘Standard’s” correspondent was assured that there wero sixty selected candidates present, as well as a number of persons described as attending in an unofficial capacity, possibly taking the attitude of Mr A. J. Stallworthy, the member for Eden, who told tho Press man, “Please don’t mix me up with this,” explaining that he was there to gather information, but was not necessarily identified with the party. Similarly modest was Mr T. C. A. Hislop (Mayor of Wellington) who, when about to enter the conference building, saw a photographer and quickly turned on his heel and walked rapidly away. However, he returned in due course, when the patient photographer got results. Se\-eral delegates, in conversation, conveyed the impression that, as the Auckland defections have materially changed the leadership outlook, the conference may select Wellington’s Mayor to head the party. In this respect to-day’s conference bore a remarkable similarity to the famous gathering of the United Party in September, 1928, when it could safely be said that not one of the fifty delegates realised until its final hour that Sir Joseph Ward would bo the United leader.

Mr Hislop has been an outspoken opponent of the Government’s exchange policy. There are at least two Maori delegates, accompanied by Mr Asher, the party’s Maori organiser. The only two members of the present Parliament attc-nding are Mr Stallworthy and Mr W. A. Veitcli (Wanganui), the latter definitely a supporter. There are also two ex-mem-bers, Mr J. B. Donald, formerly Post-master-General in the Ward Administration, and Colonel T. W. Macdonald, who hopes to win back the Wairarapa seat under Democrat auspices. Judging by the personnel of the conference, and assuming that it is substantially composed of selected candidates, tho Democrat organisation is strongest in Auckland, with Dunedin next in importance, Christchurch following, though at a respectful distance, Wellington being the least organised centre at present.

SPLIT IN THE RANKS. MR GOODFELLOW RESIGNS. THE AUCKLAND DELEGATION. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 20. Schisms in the ranks of the Democrat Party, which have been rumoured for some time became manifest today. The publicly-acknowledged head of the organisation, Mr W. Goodfellow, has severed his connection with the party, and will not attend the conference at Wellington. Similar action had been taken by Mr J. Hislop, who has been chairman for the Auckland executive since its establishment in the city. Air Goodfellow has declined to make any statement for publication concerning his position. Seventeen delegates to the conference from the Auckland district left for the south by the afternoon Alain Trunk and Limited expresses, and others are expected to travel south by train to-morrow. Although it was announced early this week that the conference was to be composed of selected candidates, a number of those who loft were either members of the Auckland executive committee, or at best prospective candidates. Those who left included Air J. B. Donald, formerly member for Auckland East arid Postmaster-General in the United Cabinet; who appeared to bo the unofficial leader of the Auckland delegation, and the following, who were declared to be selected candidates for the seats indicated: —Alessrs H. Thornley (Alantikau), S. Richards (Hauraki), J. H. Potter (Raglan), T. Lamont (Iloskill), W. Alan Donald (Waitemata) and Airs S. Al. Alilne (Auckland West), Professor 11. H. Corbin, who recently announced that lie had received the nomination for the Rotorua seat, and Air H. Caro, who has been spoken of as the candidate for the Hamilton seat in the Democrat interest, also travelled by the evening train, while Air A. J. Stallworthy, ALP. lor Eden, also left to attend the conference. Although he liad stated as recently as last 1' riday that he had not committed himself as a Democrat candidate and. would not do so until he had more information as to the party’s personnel -Arid policy, his presence at the conference may be taken as an indication, of his desire to obtain that information. Others who accompanied the party to-day were Alessrs H. C. Baulf, Auckland organiser of the Democrat Party; H W. Fiddes, of Takapuna; J. Keegan; R. H. Greville, who unsuccessfully contested the NVaitemata seat as a United candidate in 1928; W. Clarke, J. H. Arthur; and J. Bollard, of Glen Eden. Air Hilton Arthur, candidate for Grey Lynn, will leave by the afternoon express to-morrow, while Air J. Caughley, the selected candidate lor Kaipar’a, is already in Wellington. Commenting on the constitution of the Auckland delegation, Air J. Hislop who has been chairman of the Auckland executive of the party since its formation but forwarded his refdonation to the national chairman today, said that many of them could have no standing at the conference. He understood that Mr J B. Donald would not be a candidate lor Auckland East, as had been suggested but that Airs Alilne, and Alessrs W. Alan Donald. Lament, Thornley, Rickards and Hilton Arthur were properly selected candidates. Air J. 11. Potter had resigned from the Auckland executn a month ago and liad not been selec - ed for any seat. He knew lloth ‘!'b of Messrs Fiddes or Bella™! while Alessrs Keegan and Greville had not hecn members of the executive and had not been chosen as likely candidate.. As far as he knew Air Clark had never hud any association with the party. It is stated that an invitation qnginallv extended to Mr L W. Doiflg to attend lias been withdrawn in consequence of his decision to contest the Rotorua seat as an Independent.