DEMOCRAT PARTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22197, 26 August 1935, Page 12

DEMOCRAT PARTY

SELECTION OF LEADER "FORTUNATE CHOICE" MR. STALLWORTHY'S VIEWS OFFICIAL REPORT TO BE MADE A report from Christchurch that tho Democrat Party conference in Wellingmgton last week failed to elect a lender was directly denied yesterday by Mr. A. J. Stallworthy, M.P. for Eden, one of those who attended the conference. It was further reported that the leadership was to be offered to Sir Alexander Herdman, but when the matter was referred to him last night Sir Alexander stated that no offer of any kind had been received by him from the Democrat Party He said that he knew nothing of the matter beyond what had appeared in the press, and that he did not care to comment on the position. "The conference was entirely harmonious and successfid in launching the now Democrat Party," said Mr. Stallworthy last night. "It was representative in the broadest sense, potential candidates being present from all main parts of the Dominion. It was most encouraging to see so many able i men and women ot wide experience in local and general politics earnestly and unselfishly devoting themselves to formulating a political policy for the people. There was no sectionalism, parochialism, or pettiness, but a genuine and unanimous effort to agree upon a policy fairly and honestly interpreting the adopted old Liberal slogan of 'Government of tho people, by the people, for the people.' " The report that no leader was decided upon is entirely foolish. The conference was particularly fortunate in securing as leader of the party a gentleman with the highest qualifications of character capacity, experience and personality. It can be safely predicted that he is a gentleman who will command the loyalty of political friends and the respect of political foes. It will, I am sure, be a great satisfaction to all loyal citizens to know that in the event of the people deciding upon a change of political leaders the leader of the Democrat Party has already proved himself in the public life of the country worthy of the confidence of a virile and loyal British dominion. "It is needless to say that such an estimable gentleman was given the unanimous support of the conference. Believing as I do that the government of the country is a very solemn responsibility, it was gratifying to me to see the fane spirit animating the conference. The oificial report is not likely to be long delayed, and there is no reason at all why it should be." Asked to define his own attitude toward the party Mr. Stallworthy ftaid he preferred not to do so until its official statement had been issued. Details of the objects of the Democrat Party as originally drafted appear on page 15. CANDIDATE FOB HAMILTON MR. H. D CARO'S VIEWS [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON. Sunday Discussing the Democrat Party's conference on his return irom Wellington yesterday, Mr H. D. Caro, the party's candidate for the Hamilton seat, said that the policy agreed upon by the conference should appeal to the majority of the electors of New Zealand. The conference, he said, was most amicably conducted, and many of the delegates willingly accommodated their views to the will of the majority. Mr. Curo Haul he was impressed with the variety of the callings represented by the delegates, and by the fact that the majority were under 50 years of age. Mr. Caro said he would commence his campaign soon after the party's policy was announced. THE PARNELL ELECTORATE LIBERAL PARTY'S BANNER Mr. F C Jordan will contest the Parnell seat at the forthcoming elections in the interests of the New Zealand Liberal Party, according to a statement by Mr. W. F Jamieson, chairman of the party. Mr. Jordan formerly announced his candidature as an Independent MID-CANTERBURY SEAT LABOUR CANDIDATE CHOSEN [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] ASEBURTON. Saturday It is announced that Mr. H. E. Herring, engineering instructor at the Ashburton Technical High School, has been selected as Labour candidate for MidI Canterbury.