NATIONAL PARTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22532, 24 September 1936, Page 12

NATIONAL PARTY

' NEW SUPPORTER MR. WILKINSON JOINS A VALUABLE MEMBER i _____ ' TRIBUTE BY MR. FORBES i J [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The strength of the Official Opposio tion in tho Houso of Representatives s has been increased bv the decision of . Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, member for ii Egmont and formerly an Independent, r to accept an invitation to join the s National Party. Mr. Wilkinson's def oision was announced to-day. o An invitation to join tho National Party has also been extended to Mr. R. A. Wright, Independent member for - Wellington Suburbs, but it is gathered 8 that Mr. Wright prefers to maintain ! > his independent attitude. He lias supt ported the Opposition in most matters of importance during tho present ses- >\ sion, but for some years lie has been a a vigorous critic of the efforts of antiLabour interests to devote what he '• describes as too much attention toward tho welfare of tho farming community. Strength to Opposition ■ "Wo are only too pleased to have 11 Mr. Wilkinson's assistance," said tho y Leader of tho Opposition, the lit. Hon. 8 G. W. Forbes, when referring in ail s interview to-day to the decision of his now supporter. "He will strengthen tho Opposition materially, as he is a very capable man with long Parliamentary experience. In addition, ho is one of the most able critics in the 11 House." ° s The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, when commenting on tho decision of Mr. Wilkinson to join the National Party, y said that personally ho welcomed any . member opposed to tho present Government. "Combined effort is the only t reasonable approach if opposition to the Government is necessary," he said, 0 "and it is." In announcing his intention to join 13 the National Party, Mr. Wilkinson . stated that in his opinion all those ' opposed to the declared Socialistic j system of Government should sink any . small differences and combine in one j body, tho main objective being to re--3 move the present Government from [ office and to replace it with a Govern- , ment more truly representative of all the people. Conjecture About Leadership Mr. Wilkinson's decision to accept party affiliations has led to a measure of conjecture in Parliamentary circles regarding tho possible effect on tho proposal to make a change in tho leadership of the Opposition. A recent conference of the National Party in Wellington indicated quite clearly that a new leader would be chosen at the end : of the present session. The opinion was expressed that a change was necessary ■ in view of the reported political unpopularity of Mr. Forbes and Mr. Coates. The name of the Hon. A. Hamilton (Wallace) was mentioned as a possible • new leader, and there is a suggestion now that Mr. Wilkinson may also be • a candidate for the office. ; Among individual members of the ' Opposition there appear to be marked ' differences of opinion on the question of leaelership and it seems fairly safe 1 to, assume that no definite action will be' taken until tho matter has been ; discussed at the next conference of the National Party, which will probably be held about the end of the session.