PARTY FUSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24569, 13 May 1935, Page 10

PARTY FUSION

REFORM AND UNITED A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT NEW POLITICAL FEDERATION \ (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON, May 12. An' amalgamation of the Reform and United forces in national politics has been effected. It is officially announced by the representative of the Executive Committee which carried out the negotiations for a political understanding that the new organisation has begun operations under the designation of the National Political Federation, with headquarters in Wellington, the offices being in Kelburn Chambers.

Mr D. Ardell, who recently retired from the Department of Internal Affairs, has been appointed organiser for the federation, and will begin his duties forthwith. He has had a wide experience of national organisation, and possesses an extensive knowledge of various associations and representative men throughout the Dominion. A complete union of the Reform and United Parties in Parliament rnd also in the country was foreshadowed last month in the joint statement as to the future of the Coalition Government which was issued by the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes), leader of the United Party, and the Minister of Finance (Mr J. G. Coates), leader of the Reform Party, before Mr Forbes left Wellington for London. On that occasion the respective leaders declared that in their opinion it was necessary that all those interested in the good government of this country should continue to work in the closest co-operation.

“ It is eminently desirable,” the Ministers continued, “that in these difficult days party politics should be restrained so that our full energies may be devoted to the elimination of distress among all sections of our people and the promotion of continued economic recovery, for there are those who persist in capitalising the distress of some of our fellow-citizens in support of their - own political objectives.”

The leaders also pointed out that the parties had co-operated loyally and effectively for nearly four years, during which time they were encouraged by the support received throughout the country to believe that the continuation of such cooperation was essential for the welfare of the Dominion if the measures to restore confidence and stability that had been initiated were to be carried through to a successful conclusion. They expressed themselves as being firmly convinced that the future called for continued effort in the interests of the Dominion.

As regards future policy, the Ministers, in their joint statement, made it dear that although the worst of the inevitably drastic measures had been dealt with, they recognised that much remained to be done, and that as conditions altered overseas it might be necessary to make further internal adjustments. “These are not times for splitting up our people into factions,” concluded the Ministers. “We feel that any material change in policy will create a sense of insecurity and perhaps chaos, and that our people will best be served by the continued co-operation of the Coalition group as a National Government.” Now that the amalgamation of the parties has been effected with the approval of their respective organisations throughout the country, it follows that all their activities will be carried out henceforward with complete unity as a National Government, and that all the National Political Federation’s candilates at the general elections will stand as Nationalists. LABOUR LEADER’S COMMENT NO SURPRISE OCCASIONED.

(Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, May 12,

When asked to comment on the new move, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr M. J. Savage) said he was not surprised. “I suppose that such a thing was only to be expected,” he remarked. “ Presumably it is an attempt to stem the rising tide of Labour.” CLUTHA ELECTORATE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS A largely attended meeting of supporters of the National Government was held in the Dalton Hall, Balclutha, on Saturday night. After an interesting discussion on the present political situation it was apparent that all were desirous of sinking old party differences. The following resolution was adopted; That this representative meeting of Reform and United Party supporters in the Clutha electorate agrees to work harmoniously together in the selection and support of a National Government candidate for the Clutha seat at the forthcoming general election. It was further agreed that an executive committee should be set up for the purpose of getting in touch with suitable candidates and reporting to a further general meeting to be held on May 25, The following committee' was set up to make further arrangements;—Messrs Adam Harris (Clinton), H. A. Brough (Owaka), J. H. Stevenson (Balclutha), R. H. Michelle (Milton), A. Craig (Clutha Valley), T. Espie (Kaitangata), John M‘Caw (Waitahuna), P. M'Skimming, M.P. (Benhar), and F. Waite, M.LC. (Balclutha).