Democrats in Conference

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 197, 22 August 1935, Page 7

Democrats in Conference

Framing Main Principles of Policy MR DAVY EXPRESSES SATISFACTION Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. With the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Ilislop presiding, a conference was held in Wellington to-day ot' candidates and prospective candidates for tho Democrat Party. The conference met iu the morning, afternoon aud evening. Framing tho main principles of the policy occupied the greater part of the day aud the conference will continue to-morrow and if necessary on Friday. Fifty-three delegates attended, including Messrs A. .1. Stallworthy and W. A. Veitch, M. r sP. At the conclusion of today’s business Mr. Davy (the organiser) said the conference had been most successful and everything had proceeded satisfactorily.

“Despite attempts at sabotage the policy of the party and (lie list of candidates would be issued at an early date,’’ said Mr. Davy.

Asked if Sir Alexander Herdman was likely to bo present to-morrow, Mr. Davy made no comment.' It is understood a letter from Sir Alexander was read to the delegates to-day. Questioned about a letter from Mr. Goodfcilow tendering liis resignation from the party, Mr. v .vy said the matter was one for tho Dominion executive, not the conference of candidates. The position regarding Mr. J, Ilislop, former chairman of the Auckland executive, was much the same.

No consideration to the selection of a loader was given at to-day’s proceedings.

Auckland Chairman’s Resignation REPLY BY MR J. B. DONALD HAMILTON, Last Night. Reference to Mr J. lilsl'op’s resignation from the chairmanship of the Auckland provincial executive of the Democrat Party was made by Mr J. B. Donald, of Auckland, at Frankton Junction last evening. Mr Donald said: —

“I notice a copy of a letter addressed to Mr Paisley, chairman of the Dominion executive of tho Democrat Party from Mr J. H.islop, who has resigned the chairmanship of tho Auckland provincial executive. There are a number of statements in his letter not in accordance with fact and distinctly misleading, aud at the right time the truth of the position will be given to the general public. I much regret that Mr Bislop has seen fit to spring so quickly into print, mere especially as lie is quite wrong iu many of his facts and deductions. “It must be evident to the public that of late a determined effort- has been made by certain people to undermine the good work that the Democrat Party has been doing aud to frustrate its well-meaning efforts to oust . the Coalition. 1 do not believe for ■ cue moment that Mr Ilislop had any situster motive in his action when he gave the letter to tho Press. However, I consider he would have shown more sportsmanship, and acted more iu keeping with the position, if more aspect had been shown to his late colleagues. On giving consideration to all the facts ouu can only wonder why Mr Bisicp did not sever his connection with the parly at an earlier stage iu the game. "The statement that I have been appointed chairman of the Auckland executive in place of Mr Ilislop is not correct, as the first notice 1 received of that gentleman’s sending his resignation to the executive was what appeared in the Press, and there will be no meeting of the executive to elect a new chairman until next week.

“The question of leadership will probably be the last work of the conference, and to suggest that that office is being sought by mo or anyone else is absurd. The candidates themselves will elect their own leader, and the one least likely' to be elected is the one who might try to forco himself into that honourable position.”

Nationalist Candidate For Wellington East MR O. C. MAZENGARB At a meeting of representative electors of llataitai, Roscncath, Miramar, Kilbirnic, Lyail Bay and Soatoun last evening, Mr O. C. Mazcngarft, M.A., LL.M., a Wellington barrister, was chosen to contest the Wellington East seat at the General Election against the sitting Labour member, Mr R. Semple.