NATIONAL PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23045, 23 November 1936, Page 10

NATIONAL PARTY

NO QUESTION OF SPLIT OLD REFORMERS NONEXISTENT MERGED WITH NEW ORGANISATION OPPOSITION LEADER'S VIEWS (Peb United Phess Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 22. " I would venture the opinion that there is more real dissension, though not so evident, in the ranks of the present Government than there is in the ranks of the Opposition. There is no question of a split in the National Party," said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Adam Hamilton) commenting on Mr Kyle's statement that there was a growing opinion in favour of the separation of the Reform group from the National Party "It is perhaps too much to hope for that the change in a party such as that of *he leadership could be brought about without differences of opinion arising. It is useless, however, for any member to give his own interpretation of the various opinions that always exist among individuals in public life. Members of the Coalition Party worked together in as complete loyalty to their leader (Mr G. W. Forbes) as any party has ever worked. A point of importance now, however, is that after due consideration a decision was made and that decision must stand until it is altered by the same method as it was made." Mr Hamilton added that the ideal parliamentary system would be one of no parties at all, but in a country governed by a Parliament elected on a democratic basis such a thing was impracticable. The next best was the two-party system, a Government and an Opposition. The present Opposition had declared for the two-party system. This had been endorsed by the Dominion Council. He felt confident that the majority of the supporters of the National Party approved of what was done. " It is now the-duty of all to stand by this decision," said Mr Hamilton. " The issues at stake are far too important to allow any differences of opinion to weaken our strength." Referring more definitely to Mr Kyle's suggestions about a revival of the Reform Party, Mr Hamilton said the Reform Party was now non-existent. Its organisation was merged in that of the National Party and such funds as it had had been used to assist the National candidates at the last election. He felt sure from the assurances he had received from various parts of New Zealand that those adherents who had in the past supported the old Reform Party would support the new National Party. Commenting on Mr Kyle's statement that during the recess session of Parliament a group consisting of Messrs Coates, Hamilton, Endean, T. D. Burnett and Kyle was, after very serious consideration of the position, on the verge of forming an independent Reform group working in Parliament independently of the other sections of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton said he simply did not know to what Mr Kyle was referring. OTAGO LOYAL NATIONAL "PARTY INTERESTS DIVISION OF FORCES FATAL NECESSITY FOR UNITED FRONT There appears to be little sympathy in Otago with the view expressed by Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P. for Riccarton, that the only solution of the problem facing the Opposition Party is a return to the party alignment existing before the 1931 election. So far as can be gauged, the local opinion is that a division of forces at the present time, or in the future, would be fatal to the interests of those who are opposed to the present Government, and it is maintained that in Otago there is complete unity brought about by strict loyalty to the National Party, "So far as Otago is concerned generally, the attitude has distinctly been one of loyalty to the party pact which had its culmination in the formation of the National Party," said Mr A. E. Ansell, former M.P. for Chalmers, when commenting on Saturday on Mr Kyle's statement. Mr Ansel! was chairman of the Otago division of the party when it was constituted before the last election, but, with others, has resigned office pending completion t>f the local machinery in connection with the new National Party. " If the country gets good government, the name of the party would seem to be of little moment," added Mr Ansell. " Internal dissension can never make for unity, and unity is greatly to be desired under the present conditions, for dissension will be helpful only to our political opponents. At a conference held in Wellington last May a scheme of organisation was laid down and approved for the New Zealand National Party, and work along the lines initiated at that conference has been steadily proceeding.

"The resuscitation of the Reform Party has not been discussed locally," said Mr Ansell, " and in my opinion the suggestion which has been made by Mr Kyle will not be favourably considered. I think it is both possible and desirable that the reconciliation of personal differences should be brought about in the interests of the country.

"It is only by the sinking of personal differences that a united front .;an be presented to the Socialistic activities of the present Government," added Mr Ansell, "and so far as Otago is concerned no difficulty in reaching that end is apparent."