GENERAL ELECTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3888, 18 September 1928, Page 51

GENERAL ELECTION.

CENTRAL OTAGO SEAT. UNITED PARTY CANDIDATE. ALEXANDRA, September 10. Mr W. A. Bodkin, of Alexandra, has definitely decided to contest the Central Otago electorate in the interests of the United Party at the forthcoming general election. THE STRATFORD SEAT. ~ MR POLSON’S CAMPAIGN. STRATFORD, September 12. Mr W. J. Polson, president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, opened his campaign for the Stratford seat at Toko last night. He criticised the Government’s finance, land settlement, and taxation policy, and traversed the events leading I to the rural credit legislation. He said I that borrowed money was being used to keep up an appearance of prosperity. I UNITED PARTY CONFERENCE. CHAIRMAN’S OPENING ADDRESS. WELLINGTON, September 14. A conference was held to-day of candidates selected to contest the seats at the coming elections on behalf of the United j Party. Fifty-one candidates from all i parts of New Zealand attended, in addition to the sitting members of the I Nationalist Party. Mr R. Masters (ex- ■ member for Stratford) presided. I In opening the conference the chairman said: “It gives me great pleasure formally to open this conference, and on behalf of the United New Zealand Political Organisation to extend a very hearty I welcome to the candidates here assembled May I make mention of the fact that there are four gentlemen who have been I invited to attend this conference —Sir Joseph Ward, M.P., Mr H. Atmore, 1 M.P., Mr C. A. Wilkinson, and Mr W. J. Polson. These gentlemen have' not yet linked up, but I trust that they will assist us in our deliberations to-day, and that before the conference concludes they will decide to throw i their lot with the United Party. On behalf of my executive I extend a hearty welcome to them. “ May I point out that this occasion is unique in the annals of New Zealand political history, and it is up to each and every one of us to strive towards the establishment of a precedent that will never be eclipsed? Never before nas there been so much dissatisfaction with ’the existing political conditions. Never before had there been such • strong, determined, and united effort to ameliorate tne conditions and to put the affairs of the country in older. .1 feel confident that we will rise from our final sitting with something that is worthy of all that has been done. It will be something that will make us proud to belong to st' united party, capably led, strong of personnel, and as perfect of policy as human brain and human energy can make possible.

“ Cast your minds back one year. The political air was heavy with suspicion and dissatisfaction. A great party—the Liberal Party—was moribund. A decadent party held sway, and only the Labour Party, intolerable to us New Zealanders, offered as the alternative of Reform. Liberalism lay in ashes, while the spirit of Reform had fled with that of its great leader. “ Phoenix-like out of the ashes have we risen. The organisation grew from one individual to a tremendous and a very efficient political force. It has had its setbacks, and the old game of the ‘ party in power ’ has been played vigorously—even np to the eleventh hour, just prior to the conference. But the party has survived and grown out of all proportion

in the face of difficulties such as few men can appreciate. >- “ The organisation has placed the threads on the loom, the candidates must weave the pattern. Form your party, evolve your policy, and I predict that it will not be long before you occupy the Treasury benches. Now that our policy is in the melting pot, when the dross must be separated from the true metal, I know the candidates appreciate the need for real unity and co-operation. We must sink individuality and work towards the one great end only—the formation of a party that will give to this country the capable administration of which it is in dire need. “ Upon the fate of this conference depends the fate of you as candidates and the fate of the country as a whole. The I first fine threads of unity have-been tied.

Gentlemen, as your presence indicates, now you must complete the work.” Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., Mr W. A. Veitch, M.P., and Mr W. B. Taverner (Mayor of Dunedin) briefly replied to the chairman’s welcome, and Mi J. B. Donald (Auckland) spoke on behalf of the newly-selected candidates. The conference then went into committee. It is anticipated that the conference will continue in session for several days. CHOOSING A LEADER. THE PARTY’S DIFFICULTIES. WELLINGTON, September 14." At the inception -of its political career the United Party is faced with the rather difficult problem of appointing a leader. The position in this respect is made more jlifficult owing to the fact that so many of the candidates are not members of Parliament, and the chances that a number of them may be rejected at the coming polls. Many have seen Parliament only from the outside. Moreover, there’ is always the risk that f a candidate outside those who have safe seats in Parliament is selected he may be defeated at the coming election. It is suggested, however, that this difficulty may be overcome by the selection of . leader to act temporarily until the election is over, or until the new Parliament assembles. To the possible leaders the name of Mr C. A. Wilkinson has now been adeed. He was formerly member for Cgmont.

The retiring members of the Nationalist Party, Messrs Buddo, Horn and Sidey, were not present at the conference.

It is understood that Mr Atmore, who did not accept the invitation to attend, desires to know the definite policy of the party before he comes to a decision.