PARTY TROUBLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 12

PARTY TROUBLES

SPLIT IN DEMOCRATS CONNECTIONS SEVERED MR, GOODFELLOW'S ACTION DECISION OF MR, HISLOP CAUSES OF CONFLICT A split in the ranks of the Democrat Party, which has boon rumoured for some time, became manifest yesterday. The publicly acknowledged head of the organisation, Mr. W. Goodfellow, has severed his connection with tho party and will not attend the conference in Wellington to-day. Similar action has been taken by Mr. J. Hislop, who has been chairman of tho Auckland executive since its establishment. Mr. Goodfellow has declined to mako any statement for publication concerning his position, but some of the matters that have caused conilict wero discussed by Mr. Ilislop. Mr. Hislop said it appeared to him that the conference of the party to be held in Wellington to-day could not bo representative of the body of Democrat supporters. This was shown by the fact that tho delegation which left Auckland yesterday included many who were either not members of tho Auckland executive or were not selected candidates. It would probably be found that the representation from other districts would be equally unsatisfactory. It was evident, Mr. Hislop said, that an effort was being made to get as largo a representation in Wellington as possible "as an impressive forco." Resignation Forwarded Yesterday Mr. Hislop forwarded to Mr. Paisley, tho chairman of the national executive of tho party in Wellington, his resignation as a member of the national executive and as chairman and member of the Auckland executive. Tho lotter announcing hip decision was as follows: "On Sunday last, the 18th instant, I received a telephone messago from Mr. Baulf, secretary of the Auckland organisation, informing mo that Mr. Davy had rung through from Wellington asking that I might bo advised that there was to bo no conference held in Wellington during the coming week. "I have since learned that this was not true and that tho candidates and others were leaving for that conference by tho three o'clock train to-day. The Position in Rotorua "I might say I havo had reason to complain of similar methods being used in connection with the meetings of tho Auckland executive. Such an instanco occurred when the nomination for the Rotorua seat was under discussion, and four members of my executive did not receive notification that the meeting was to be hold. This explains a little of the misunderstanding in connection with the Rotorua nomination. "Such conduct is entirely foreign to me and 1 therefore tender my resignation to the national executive of tho Democrat Party and also to the Auckland executive." Commcntinss on the reasons for his action, Mr. Hislop said no self-respect-ing man could carry on under tho conditions indicated.

STATEMENTS DISPUTED "WILL SURVIVE ATTACKS" COMMENT BY MR. J. B. DONALD [by telegraph OWN correspondent] HAMILTON, Tuesday Reference to Mr. J. Hislop's resignation from the chairmanship of tho Auckland provincial executive of the Democrat Party was made by Mr. J. B. Donald, of Auckland, at Frankton Junction this evening. Mr. Donald said:— "I notice a copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Paisley, chairman of tho Dominion executive of the Democrat Party, from Mr. J. Hislop, who has resigned tho chairmanship of the Auckland provincial executive. There are a number of statements in his letter that are not in accordance with fact ana are distinctly misleading, and at the right time the truth of the position will be given to the general public. I much regret that Mr. Hislop has seen fit to spring so quickly into print, more especially Os ho is quite wrong in many of his facts and deductions. "Effort to Undermine Work" "It must bo evident to the public that of lato a determined effort has been made by certain people to undermine the good work that the Democrat Party has been doing, and to frustrate its well-meaning efforts to oust tho Coalition. I do not believe for one moment that Mr. Ilislop had any sinister motive in his action when he gave his letter to the press; however, I consider he would have shown more sportsmanship and acted more in keeping with the position if more respect had been shown to his lato colleagues. On giving consideration to all the facts, one can only wonder why Mr. Hislop did not sever his connection with the party at an earlior stage in tho game.

"Tho Democrat Party will survive all attacks which may be mado upon it, and it wants none in its ranks who are not 'all for party and none for self.' The party is fighting for the good of tho peoplo of Now Zealand and not for tho good of its own members. If there are now any in its ranks who have 'cold feet' tho party will bo very pleased to loso them at once, and not just at tho critical moment of its existence. Question of Chairmanship "The statement that I had been appointed chairman of the Auckland executive in tho place of Mr. Hislop is not correct, as the first notice I received of that gentleman's sending his resignation to tho Executive was what appeared in the press, and there will be no meeting of the executive to elect a new chairman until next week. "Tho question of leadership will

Question o! Chairmanship "The statement that I had been appointed chairman of the Auckland executive in the place of Mr. Hislop is not correct, as the first notico I received of that gentleman's sending his resignation to tho executive was what appeared in the press, and there will he no meeting of the executive to elect a new chairman until next week. "Tho question of leadership will probably be the last work of the conference, and to suggest that that office is being sought by me or anyone elso is absurd I lie candidates themselves will elect their own leader, and tho one least likely to be elected is the one who might try to force himself into that honourable position. , Iho party may have to contend with further attacks upon its personnel,'® concluded Mr. Donald, "but these will not turn it from its fiigh and lofty purpose, that of securing Government of the people, for the people, by tho peopled ,J

ROTORUA ELECTORATE COUNTRY PARTY CANDIDATE [by .telegraph—OWN correspondent] ROTORUA. Tuesday Mr. D. R. F. Campbell, of Morrinsyillo. who announced his intention a few weeks ago to contest tho Rotorua seat m tho interests of tho Country Party, states that unless his supporters wish him to withdraw ho intends to pursue his candidature.