THE POLITICAL SPHERE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11663, 30 October 1923, Page 5

THE POLITICAL SPHERE

TALK OF NEW FACTOR

APE COMMERCIAL MEN FORMING FRpSH PAfSTY?

AN INTERESTING RUMOUR

Though with the Prime Minister and the Loader of the Opposition out of the country there is a general air of political quiet, matters are not as peaceful as the surface calm suggests.

There is a move afoot for the fqrmaticn of a new political party, and unless the proposals break down in the meantime, it is fairly certain that it will take definite shape in Wellington and the other chief oentres of the Dominion very shortly.

It appears that certain commercial interests are behind the movement, and thqt (he party to be formed will be in tlse main a business men’s party, irrespective of what it will be calledTHE REASONS.

Thuse in touch with the movement say that- the reason for forming the party is dissatisfaction with the business provisions of the present legislators. It is argued that finance, trade, and commerce are not being looked after as well as commercial men consider they should lie attended to, and to this argument is added the contention that better results are not tq he expected with the House of Representatives constituted as it is at present. It is further contended thajt to put the country on a sounder footing commercially and financially a commercial 'ateu’s party is needed. One gentleman with a knowledge of the movement says that, even ajnong commercial men who are regarded as having strong leanings towards the Reform Party, there is an expressed determination that a change must he made as soon as possible. The idea is that M r Massey must'go, and thaf another leeway muft be found. With the Prune Minister disposed of, the promoters of tfie new fiody hope to gather into their fold a big proportion of the more suitable elements of the Liberal and the Reform parties in the Hquse of Representatives. It is considered that it would he quite possible to form a party strong enough to carry on the government of the country, aqd it seems that that is what is aimed at. If the ainis of the new party become effective, the deposition of Mr Massey will nqt leave Mr Wilford in qudispivted possession of the political field, for the movers are equally insistent that he, toe, must go. If aji attempt is made to dispense with both the pneueqt lenders, trouble is likely to be encountered, flt'd this is realised, but it is said that difficulties of the kind are npt going to be allowed to act as deterrents! SOUNDING MEMBERS.

How far the movers have gong in the way of squad;ng nieniliere of Parliament is not cerfaip, but it is certain that some have been sounded, and are fit the present time turning the thing aver in their minds. For tactioa.l reasons it is not likely that a hjg mqve in the open will be made until early in the'New Year, for it wpufd be considered bad policy to move now, while the Prime Minister is out of New Zealand on the country’s business- When he returns, the project will be launched in earnest, but meanwhile time wiH not 'be wasted. The idea is to seek a leader of the party outside the present. House. It is believed that three well-known mqq of commerce are considered suited to the position, and that two of them are Air IV. D. Hunt, of Wellington, and Mr J. H. Gunson, the Mayor of Auckland. The movers consider they have a safe aeat picked out for Mr Hunt. At the moment details are not plentiful, hut it apipears that a gentleman formerly connected with the organising of the Reform Party is aotively interesting himself in the establishment of the newest addition to New Zealand pcWtics.