NATIONAL PARTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 304, 21 November 1936, Page 9

NATIONAL PARTY

/MR H. S. S. KYLE’S VIEW.; ; CLEAVAGE ADVOCATED. ' ;CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. ? 20. . \*‘l',tEink‘that -tlierfe• is only one solution to'the political .and. domestic -problems now' facing the Opposition Party—that ; is a definite cleavage and a-; return to..the old party alignment which . existed before. • the 1031 elections,” said Mr H. S. H.. Kyle, chief Opposition "Whip in' the House of ltepiesentatives, when .. commenting, on ✓ the reeignation ot Sir George tv ilson f rom . the presidency- of the . National Tarty, Mir Kyle voiced "his firm conviction that recent developments .in -the NatilShai Party have paved the way iorTr,strong revival.of the old Reform Parfti. This revival, lie said, was iniinfrurnt. , ‘ ■./'•/• " , * , '‘T firmly believe, that.- the time has arrived, alter four-and a-half years of unsuccessful; cbiilition' partnership; fof a;strong' atteknpt-to •bo made to build/ up/the .old Reform Party to its former greatness,’,’:' Mr' Kyle said. /'“/I believe that, we‘can again develop our ( former strength .of organisation, aiid* influence and that with a progres-. siye, vigorous nefv policy we should /be in a position in 1938 to offer.this coiln r try a programme which, will save it from -tliei obviously difo /results of a.‘ continuation of .the. Labour, Government’s' Sociiilistic plans: •/ ■' ;; } • e “For the 'f opr yea re and/ a-lialf of the coalition, blit particularly in the last six- months, .there has ; been - far too .much intrigue' and dissension, bet Ween .the two parties t 6 ‘ enable the Arrangement-to work successfully. We have not been' an efficient single political' unit. 'lt" lias‘been obvious- .'for ihany piontlis now .that the split. must coined The- .present .-situation 'is evidence of/thisthe-resignation of Sir Qeorge 'Wilson/brought it home beyond doubt.' His- resignation was brought about by’ the intrigue - which has been going ori fchYSo long, both within the Parliamentary,. Party and outside hit. It simply •became impossible .for--Sir George Wilsori Vto retaili7,the posi tioii, it • having; become; apparent - to. him .that: lie did‘ not’possess the fu11,,, loyalty of, men hail but.;a- short; time', previously, promised him ...their wholehearted support. . There have even been a number of the. members of/the. Opposition. Who, after promising their loyalty;' have indulged in clandestine meetings ' Jifeld to discuss action which cdiild only- be interpreted-:as disloyal. .. INDEPENDFNT GROUP. • • “Long before Parliament . finished this yeaf,’: Mr Kyle. said,..‘‘it became apparent to me tliat tire / Opposition' cduld fiot work aS a' united party, and that we were then faced with the urgent heed tor' a/ retifr'n “ to the old grouping if vie were to be in a position' ngiit the Labour programme at all/ successfully aS an - upposi.tioh. Everyone knew that we were not able to figut ris a/single unit. At'one .fit age, after.;very; serious- consideration of tne position, Messrs-, - J”/ U.. Ooirt'es, A. Haftiiltoii, VV. P. Endeail, X. V. Burnetti.aiidfniyself were on- the verge of forming an independent ./Reform gifotiji, ..wpjrking in < Parliament .independently, of t|ie. other sections of the Uppositiblf. / 'Wo -were certain, more-.; over, :6f/"/tlie/ support we . heeded'.from enough'/other, iiieiiibOfs. .to' give .'us/’a majority;iii'/the Opposition. ‘‘Oiiiy/bphhtitutipiiai; difficulties,' ope being the position Audi a move, would, place the leader fig prevented us from muking. the sx>lft there and then, .but Wp diu definitely make up our niinds that the-cleavage had to come. • • ■ “This present crisis offers.the opportunity; tor. the parties to split/- Mr Kyle continued, “and . for • trie revival of the Reform Party-along lincS'wliich 1: am sure .couid gain for.it all its old strength. Naturally - we; must - have an atlvanced policy to suit, the new conditions, but it will be a' policy giving” the’-people'of New Zealand ..tree-; dom of • action, retaining .tlie. best ideals /. of democracy,; aha preserving private; enterprise and individualism-' - ' VMr Kyle said/that . it /wasi/eertain that/none, of. ,the Reform suppoitere. inside or outside / the • present ; National Party would siippciit air leadership ofMr. C. A: .'Wil'kihsoh, M/P. tor " Eg-. mont:.,‘-“Mr /Wilkinson lias' proved -that he would not lie suitable as a leader, 1 ' Mr Kyle” said. . “For instance,; he had an opi>ortunity to show. li;s attitude when he was asked to join the Cdaiitioii.. Lie refused, declai-.ng that lie would bo under, .the leadeisiup of no man.,-. We copsitier ..lie.has, laded us once. . . . , . . . “The' great majority of the people behind the. National Party are actually strong supporters of' the old Reform ideais,” :ivir 'Kyle added.' “I am Cure they will welcome its revival under able leadership.and with rinup-to-date policy. Tins recent development has launched the revival on its way.” ‘