NEW POLITICAL PARTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 13

NEW POLITICAL PARTY.

WELCOME BY NATIONALISTS STATEMENT OF THE LEADER. "GENERAL DISSATISFACTION." SUPPORT FROM MR. W. A. VEITCH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.j WELLINGTON. Friday. Statements regarding the formation of a new political organisation were made to-day by the Leader of the National Party, Mr. G. W. Forbes, and the Leader of the Liberal Party, Mr. W. A. Yeitch, Mr. Forbes said:—"l have read with interest of the formation of a new political organisation, said to be eomposed~of men of all shades of political thought, including supporters of the Reform, National and Liberal Parties. I welcome the movement, as it indicates that, in the opinion of those joining it, the time has come for action, as it is hopeless to look to the present Government to provide a policy for the restoration of the ! progress and prosperity of the Dominion. "It is very apparent it is the outcome of the general dissatisfaction with the Government that is felt throughout the Dominion. That' that is held in pronounced form by some sections of the community is evidenced by repeated statements that one hears from prominent farmers and business men that they have so completely lost faith in the present Government that if there is no alternative offering they will vote Labour. " Stirrjng of Dry Bones."

"The seriousness of that position is evidently recognised by the new organisation, as they reler to it in their statement. The good times of tne past have bred an indifference to political questions and issues and it is very encouraging to feel that now there is some stirring of the drybones of politics and keener interest is being taken in the public affairs of the Dominion.

"The National Party, at the last election, stood for the amalgamation of all those, irrespective of party, who stood for good government, and it has not in any way departed from that ideal, and it will still work for that end. The late Mr. Massey, when speaking in Wellington in 1911, just before his party came into power, said no party should remain in office continuously for more than a very few years. It was good for any Government to have before it all the tune the fear that the other tellowa might come along in a few months or years and have a look in the pigeon-holes. The wisdom of these words was very clear to-day, when applied to the pre sent Government. Its 15 years of office had attached so many barnacles to the ship of State that all way is lost and at present it drifts with every current that flows. The Liberal Viewpoint. Interviewed to-day, Mr. VV. A. Veitch, whose name was mentioned"^in a telegram from Auckland in connection with the new movement, said:—"You may take it as quite certain that every effort thatcan be made by me has been, and will be, made to bring together all the people of moderate thought who have no faith or who have lost faith in the present Government. I am convinced there is a sufficient section of public opinion in this direction to turn the present Government from office, but it is at present only partially articulate and not completely organised. My purpose is to create an organisation that will bring them all together so that they may use their political force collectively to reestablish the true principles of Liberalism and liberty which have been so flagrantly violated by Reform. That is the real "purpose for which the Liberal revival is being carried on." AUCKLAND REFORMERS. NO LINK WITH NEW PARTY. MR. HARRIS AND MR. POTTER. [BX TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. J WELLINGTON, Friday. A suggetion that some of the Auckland members of the Reform Party were linked with the new political movement does not appear to have any real support. Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) laughingly replied to a group of friends who suggested he knew something about the movement: '"Don't ask personal questions." It was evident from his remarks that he knew little of the matter at first hand. Mr. V. H. Potter (Roskill), who has no association with the new party, mentioned a number of names of persons behind it, and if his informant is correct they are among the prominent supporters of the Liberal Party, which has asked Mr. Veitch to lead them. "Oh, yes, I know who they are," said Mr. Potter, "but I can emphatically state that the Auckland suggestions that they constitute a breakaway from the Reform Party are based on very slender grounds. "So far as I am concerned I have never left the party and I know of no _other members of the Reform Party who have done so. It has been suggested we are after a new leader, but we are perfectly satisfied and firmly determined to adhere to the policy of 'the Reform Party and stand by Mr. Coates. Yes, of course, I know who is in the new party. They won't disclose their names until they get some more important ones if they can. However, it shows that once again the name of Liberalism will be changed. When the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates was interviewed on the subject he had nothing to say beyond expressing the view I that the report from Auckland apparently had reference to some movement among the Liberals Mr. W. S. Glenn (Rangitikei), who recently caused a little stir by resigning the position of the Junior Whip of the Reform Pariv. denied any connection with the new movement. Mr. Glenn has made a show of his independence in the House, and he said to-night: "I am still on my own. This new thing is just the Liberal crowd." NO CABINET VACANCY. LABOUR MEMBER'S INQUIRY. [bt telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON. Friday. First mention in the House of the new political party was made to-day. Mr. J. A." Lee (Auckland East) said he desired to ask the Prime Minister, without notice, a question relating to the new party. "Is it a matter of urgency?" asked the Speaker. Mr. Lee: Yes, sir. (Laughter.) When the necessary permission to ask the question had been given, Mr. Lee asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been drawn to the report that a new political party had been formed, to be recruited from the Ministerial and Liberal ranks, and whether he would inform the House what Ministers had given notice of their withdrawal from his Ministry. "Hardiv an urgent question," replied Mr. Coates, "but I can assure the honourable member it is useless his(applying, because there is no vacancy.