SEARCH FOR LEADER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22964, 20 August 1936, Page 16

SEARCH FOR LEADER

THE NATIONAL PARTY MR A. HAMILTON'S NAME MENTIONED (From Oub Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON", August 19. Although no definite selection has yet been made it is rumoured that the leadership of the Opposition may be offered to Mr A. Hamilton, M.P. for Wallace and Postmastergeneral in the last Government. The matter was advanced a stage further at a conference of the National Party which was opened in Wellington to-day. For some time the supporters of the National Party have been dissatisfied with the present position. They have held that the present Leader of the Opposition, Mr G. W. Forbes, is not altogether suited to the position, and although it is generally admitted that Mr J. G. Coates is the dominant personality of the party the view has been expressed that the measure of political unpopularity throughout the country would disqualify his leadership. In the search for a new leader it is stated that the names of Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo), one of the Opposition Whips, Mr S. G. Holland (Christchurch North), and Mr J. Hargest (Awarua) have been freely mentioned. Mr W". J. Poison (Stratford) has also been regarded in some quarters as a possible candidate. The view is held in certain quarters, however, that Mr Hamilton would make the soundest leader. No decision on the matter is expected before to-morrow, when the conference of delegates will resume. It is understood that at the wish of the party Mr Forbes would be fully prepared to relinquish office, but before anything definite is done the decision of the conference will probably be considered in detail at a caucus of the parliamentary party.