THE LIBERAL PARTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17375, 23 January 1920, Page 6

THE LIBERAL PARTY.

WITHDRAWAL OF MR. HAJJAN. ; ■ li -:—v- : ■ CLEAR SEVERANCE ■ MADE. ' .. > . N . MR. CRAIGIE'S INDEPENDENCE : [BY. TELEGRAPH.—OWN ' correspondent.]

. , r " WELLINGTON, -Thursday. It is reported that yet another member ha joined : the ranks of - the Independents as the outcome of the caucus of the Liberal Party yesterday. v " ; Speaking at the luncheon ,to ; Sir . Joseph Ward, the Hon, 'J. A. ; Han an said he was not so closely associated with ,the .Liberal Party as he ; had beta ,111 past years. . At the' meeting of the party,; which of course wen not held in public, . Mr. Hanan went further in dissociating ; himself '' from - ' the party. ' V Exactly what ' his attitude how is has yet to bo disclosed, but he certainly has made a clear severance from the Liberals, and he has said that he will riot- fight under the banner of Mr. Mac Donald in the House- when Parliament assembles.• ''' 1

The news does not come wholly as ,a surprise, as it has been known for a long time that Mr. Hanan has had visions of independence. ' Too much significance need not be attached to his action, as thero are other prominent members of /the Parity who have done very much as Mr» KaJia.ii has just done and they are among .those now loudest in their professions d loyalty to the Liberal causes'^ ~ Tho defection of Mr, Craigie from the party is now complete. However, at the elections he . told , his constituents that ho. would 1 not declare whether he "would vote for the Opposition or tbe Government on * a no-confidence motion, saying thaV' if ho made such a "declaration lie would not be an independent member, He has been consistent with liia declaration by remaining away from the Liberal caucus, and ho is not to be accounted a member,of the Liberal Party any longer. It, is noteworthy also that Mr. S. G. Smith, of Taranaki,. still retains his complete independence.