DEMOCRAT PARTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 226, 22 August 1935, Page 2

DEMOCRAT PARTY

PROCEEDINGS STILL SECRET. Per Pres 6 Association. WELLINGTON, April 21. About fifty candidates and prospective candidates for the Democrat Party met in Wellington to-day. Secrecy was observed regarding the proceedings. Interviewed at 1 o’clock, Mr A. E. Davy, Dominion organiser, declined to say who presided. He stated that 63 invitations were extended, but owing to indisposition and other engagements only about fifty attended. He indicated that possibly it would be 11 o’clock to-morrow night before a leader was selected. Later a list of candidates and an outline of the party’s policy would be announced. Asked if Sir Alexander Herdman would attend the conference, Mr Davy declined to make a statement. Members of the conference who were interviewed also refused to divulge anything.

MR HISLOP PRESIDES.

“MOST SUCCESSFUL” SESSIONS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 21. With the Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) presiding, the conference of candidates and prospective candidates for the Democrat Party met in the morning, afternoon and evening. Framing the main principles of the policy occupied the greater part of the day and the conference will continue to-morrow, and if necessary on Friday. Fifty-three delegates attended. At the conclusion of to-day’s business Mr Davy said the conference had been most successful and everything had proceeded satisfactorily. Despite attempts at sabotage, the policy of the party and the list of candidates would be* issued at an early date, said Mr Davey. Asked if Sic Alexander Herdman was likely to be present to-morrow, Mr Davy made no comment. It is understood that a letter from Sir Alexander was read to the delegates to-day. Questioned about the letter from Mr W. Goodfellow tendering his resignation from the party, Mr Davy said the matter was one for the Dominion executive, not the conference of candidates ’ The position regarding Mr J. Hislop, former chairman of the Auckland executive, was much the same. No consideration of the selection of a leader was given at to-day’s proceedings.