PARTY TROUBLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 10

PARTY TROUBLES

DIVIDED OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP DISPUTE EX-PRESIDENT'S CHARGES APPEAL FOR, LOYALTY A definite allegation that there has been persistent intrigue over the question of leadership of the National Political Party was mnclc by the former president, Sir George Wilson, in commenting yesterday on a statement made by the chairman of the Auckland Divisional Council, Mr. Lisle Alderton, regarding recent developments affecting the party.

"In announcing my resignation from the presidency," Sir George said, "I made it clear that this action had been forced on me by certain political manoeuvrings within the party. T pointed out that the Hon. Adain Hamilton had been selected as leader in succession to the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes and that the party owed him its undivided loyalty. When I found tliat a movemojit was persisting in favour of transferring the leadership bo Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. for Egmont, I decided that the only course open to me was to sever my official connection with the party, which apparently had such an elastic conception of the principles of loyalty.

Criticism o! Mr. Hamilton "Mr. Alderton now says that the Auckland provincial executive of the National Party has not approved Mr. Hamilton's selection as leader, but denies that there has been anything in the nature of intrigue or political manoeuvring. All 1 have to say is that a member of the National Party in Parliament, Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, M.P. for Waitomo, attended the meeting in Auckland week, and spent some time in criticising the selc4|tion of Mr. Hamilton for the leadership, stressing certain alleged political weaknesses on the part of a man whom a few weeks ago he had undertaken to support. If that does not suggest intrigue then I have never understood the meaning of the word. No Necessity for Ballot "I understand that before the choice of a new leader was made, the Auckland divisional council of the party decided to support the claims of Mr. Wilkinson and that the delegates from Auckland who attended the meeting of the Dominion council' on the day when the session of Parliament closed gave expression to this support. However, the Parliamentary members of the party chose Mr. Hamilton as their leader. Although Mr. Wilkinson was also put forward as a candidate for office and. I believe, received a measure of support from a considerable section of the Parliamentary party, an examination of the position terminated in the selection of Mr. Hamilton unanimously, with no necessity for the question to go to a ballot. His selection was subsequently endorsed by the Dominion council. I do not know how the impression has been gained by the Auckland council that there was a margin of one vote in favour of Mr. Wilkinson's nomination. Question of Loyalty

" There can be no question that the Auckland delegates' to the Dominion council did their best to abide by this decision, but the discussion at the meeting last week showed clearly that at least a group of members still hopes to put Mr. Wilkinson in the leadership. The resolution urging the Dominion council to reconsider the appointment of the leader had been prepared beforehand and to my mind appeared to be an attempt to undermine Mr. Hamilton's authority. " Differences of opinion may still exist as to the suitability of candidates for leadership, but oncQ a leader has been appointed there can be no excuse for lack of loyalty. It has been proved that. Mr. Wilkinson is not acceptable to the majority of the party, and a refusal to accept that position strikes at the very foundations of the party's structure. Parliamentary Influence " Personally, I am of the opinion that intrigue has not been noticeable among supporters of the party in the country. It has sprung from a group of members in the House of Representatives and from one or two members and ex-members of the Legislative Council with former party affiliations. " Although I have resigned from the presidency of the National Party, I still hope for the vigorous growth of a sound political organisation to oppose the policy of the Government of the day and to put forward a progressive programme based on principles which aim at conserving individual initiative, enterprise and liberty. Unless a better spirit can be shown than that which has become evident during the last few days, the ideal which I have mentioned cannot possibly be attained."

SERVICES 0* PRESIDENT MR. C. H. WESTON'S TRIBUTE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "I very much regret Sir George Wilson's retirement," said Mr. C. H. Weston, K.C., chairman of the Dominion executive of the National Party, commenting to-night upon tho president's decision. "He has been of immense service to the party and peisonally is very popular with all its members. "Differences of this kind are bound to ariso when two candidates for office have enthusiastic supporters, but the majority must rule in a democratic country. The Parliamentary Party in opposition, as well as delegates to the Dominion council of the National Party acknowledged this by both passing unanimous resolutions approving the Hon. A. Hamilton's appointment, I am sure the good sense of the men and women in control of the National Party throughout New Zealand will be able to overcome what after all is i» domestic difference. "I cannot but think the reaction to tho post mortem to which we havt> treated our political opponents will be a still stronger determination to close up our ranks in the fight against socialism. Wo are faced with a contest with doughty opponents who let the public have no hint of any family troubles, if thev have any. Unless we are united we fail."