“CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT”

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

“CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT”

COMMENT BY MR FORBES DIVISION WOULD BE SUICIDAL (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 21. " I can't understand it at all. The idea that a section of the National Party has been considering a breakaway is quite new to me," said Mr Forbes, the formei Leader of the Opposition, to-day when asked for hfs comments on the statement by Mr Kyle that the only solution to the political and domestic problems now facing the Opposition was a return to the old party alignment that existed before the 1931 elections Mr Forbes said he was not aware of the existence of any independent group in the Opposition last session. So far as he knew, all the members of the party were loyally supporting him, and were working together quite amicably. "Although members may have their differences," he continued, " I am quite sure that in the country there is no desire whatever for a split in our forces into two sections. With two sections there usually comes a third. Whatever individual members may feel, there can be no doubt that the feeling among our supporters in the country is absolutely solid, that any division in our ranks would militate against our success in the future Division at this time would be entirely condemned by the country, and it is a great pity there are differences among members. I feel certain that what Mr Kyle says is not in accord with the wishes of people of the country." Mr Forbes added that any division at the present time would be abso lutely suicidal, and would postpone any hopes they might have of being able successfully to oppose the Government in the future. NEW UNIFORMS SAME OLD INDIVIDUALS COMMENT BY MR SAVAGE (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. " The inability of sections of the Opposition to get together is the best evidence in the world that the Government is on the right track," declared the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) commenting on Mr Kyle's statement on the Opposition leadership. ,: It is evidence," continued Mx Savage, "that we have the confidence of the majority of the people of this country, otherwise there would soon be an Opposition notwithstanding the leaders' quarrels. I think it has been generally understood that, in the matter of the old Reform Party, it crashed through the weight of its own deficiencies and came to rather an unhappy ending when it sought the assistance of its lifelong political opponents in order to withstand the rising tide of Labour, which threatened them both. Now, of course, they are looking for nex auxiliaries, and trying to make it appear that the party now in the making is something new. As a matter of fact it is the same old individuals with new uniforms, though they don't wear them for long. "What everybody to be the position was placed beyond doubt by yesterday's statement by the chief Whip. . Everyone who has inside knowledge of political events knew there was no love between the various factions which made up the Opposition. It seems clear that the old Conservative elements have come out on top so far as controlling the Opposition is concerned. As a matter of fact we have always claimed that there was no difference of opinion between them, and it only develops when the leadership is in question. "As for the platform efforts of representatives of the Opposition, they are making it clear that they are bankrupt of ideas, and the latest effort of Colonel Hargest, who confined himself to personal attacks and a repetition of charges already answered, is typical. The Government will find a means of publicity, and the people will be made fully aware of what we have done and what we have failed to do,#nd also of the sins of the Opposition."