LABOUR PARTY’S ATTITUDE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 29

LABOUR PARTY’S ATTITUDE.

MR HOLLAND’S VIEWS. WESTPORT, November 23. At a Labour “ Victory Ball ” in the Theatre Royal to-night Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition), after thanking the electors for having given him such a handsome victory in the town of Westport and in the electorate, wert on to refer to the political situation. Mr Holland said he had expected a statement from Mr Coates by this time indicating his intentions, but this had not come. However, he thought that seeing the Reform Party was so hopelessly beaten Mr Coates would not attempt to carry on, and that he would either tender his resigm.tion to the Governor-General or call Parlir.nent together very shortly, a.id not attempt to carry on over Christmas. He thought that just as Mr Coates had not been able to live up to his election promises of 1925, so Sir Joseph Ward would not be able to live up to those of 1928. What the electors had done was to draw the two parties opposed to Labour closer together. The day was not far distant ■when Labour would be the only alterna tive to the party on the Treasury benches. When Mr Coates had intimated the action which he intended t; take he (Mr Holland) would have a statement to make as the Leader of the Labour Mr Holland received a rousing reception, the gathering rising and singing “ For he's a jolly good fellow.” WILL SUPPORT MEASURES, NOT PARTIES. TAUMARUNUI, November 23. In an interview regarding the attitude the Li hour Party will adopt in supporting the United Party, Mr F. Langstone, Labour member for Waimarino, stated that the Labour Party supported measures, not parties, and should the incoming Government be willing to establish ? State bank with the sole right of note issue, reduce the rates of interest, institute a vigorous land settlement policy, and deal with the unemployed problem, it would be assured of Labour’s support to enact and administer these measures. BAY OF ISLANDS. MR BELL WINS ON CASTING VOTE. WHANGAREI, November 23. Subsequent to the recount of the Bay of Islands votes it was discovered that a parcel of six absentee votes had been overlooked. One of these was recorded as informal, three went to Mr Allen Bell (Reform), and two to Mr H. M. Rushworth (Country Party), making Doth 3839. The returning officer then gave his casting vote in favour of the sitting member (Mr Bell). The third candidate, Mr R. E. Hornblow (L.L.), polled 351 votes. A LABOUR MINISTRY. WHAT IS ITS POLICY? AUCKLAND, November 25. Discussing the political situation, the Star says: “ If, as we are now assured by Labour and its organ, this country must look forward possibly in the near future to the establishment of a Labour Administration in power the people of New Zealand have the right to know from the official representatives of Labour precisely what its policy is to be. Given a Labour Ministry, will we be governed in accordance with the strict Marxian principles hitherto professed by Labour in its official ‘ platform ’ or in accordance with the highly diluted Socialism of Mr Holland’s recent election manifesto? The question is one that may vitally concern the future of the Dominion and must very seriously affect the political fortunes of the Labour Party itself. The Labour leaders in this country have never been lacking in courage, and the political atmosphere will be cleared and the politcal situation simplified if they give a frank and decisive answer to this question now.” UNITED PARTY CONFERENCE LOYALTY TO LEADER. WELLINGTON, November 22. A United Party caucus was held tonight, Sir Joseph Ward presiding. The meeting, which was most enthusiastic, passed the following resolution unanimously:—“Recognising that the future prosperity and good guidance of New Zealand depends on co-operation, sincerity, and sacrifice, we hereby affirm and declare unwavering loyalty, support, and faith in our distinguished leader, Sir Joseph Ward.” COALITION PLAN REJECTED. ' WELLINGTON, November 23. In a statement to-day Sir Joseph Ward (Leader of the United Party) said he was more than pleased with the attendance at the conference of the United Party last night. The conference was unanimous, he said, in supporting him in declining to entertain any proposals for a coalition with the Reform Party. He had noticed that the United Party was being urged to entertain such a proposal, but he was quite satisfied that it would be a most improper - thing for the United Party, the members of which were re-

turned pledged to vote against the continuance of the Reform Party. Moreover, he would regard it, so far as he was personally concerned, as being a traitorous act to the electors of New Zealand who had so largely supported the new party to entertain any .such idea. It was, in his opinion, not by any means the way out of what was in some respects a difficult situation. Sir Joseph said he was pleased, speaking on behalf of the United Party, to acknowledge the splendid way in which the party, although quite young, had been treated right throughout the Dominion. He felt that it was his clear duty to put on the Statute Book the policy that the party had supported, even if it meant a further fight in the constituencies—that was, another election. There was no mistaking the fact—and any impartial elector, to whatever party he belonged, must acknowledge it—that the revulsion against the Reform Party was definite and absolute. They went to the country with a party of 53 and returned from the elections with that party reduced to 26, and the nature of the defeat was without precedent in the history of the country. Four Ministers, the Chairman of Committees, the Senior Whip, and other good men in the ranks of the Reform Party were unmistakably defeated at the polls. For anyone to expect of the United Party that it should start to kill its policy by joining with its defeated opponents was asking for what was impossible. The fact remained also, he said, that the four members who had been returned as Independents had. all communicated with him and had advised him that they would support him on a want-of-confidcnce motion. The fifth Independent member was the former Speaker, whom he did not regard as a party man. PERSONNEL OF PARTY. INDEPENDENT MEMBERS . INCLUDED. WELLINGTON, November 23. The first meeting of the United Party held since the elections took place in the party’s rooms in Wellington last evening. Sir Joseph Ward presided. The following members of the party were present:—Messrs G. C. Black (Motueka), W. A. Bodkin (Central Otago), W. J. Broadfoot (Waitoma), C. H. Clinkard (Rotorua), J. G. Cobbe (Oroua), J. B. Donald (Auckland East), J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn), G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), R. W. Hawke (Kaiapoi), E. F. Healy (Wairau), H. R. Jen kins (Parnell), F. Lye (Waikato). J. A. Macpherson (Oamaru), T. Makitanara (Southern Maori), C. Munns (Roskill), A. J'. Murdoch (Marsden), T. W. M‘Donald (Wairarapa), Sir A. Ngata (Eastern Maori), Messrs P. A. De la Perelle (Awarua), E. A. Ransom (Pahiatua), S. G. Smith (New Plymouth), A. J. Stall worthy (Eden), W. B. Taverner (Dunedin South), W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), T. M. Wilford (Hutt), J. T. Hogan (Rangitikei), and C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont). There were 29 members present (the foregoing list gives only 28 nrmes.) The following members who were unable to attend owing to the shortness of notice sent apologies:—Messrs H. M. Rushworth (Bay of Islands), D. M’Dougall (Mataura), and W. J. Polson (Stratford). This makes the membership of the United Party 32. The party fully discussed the political situation, and subsequently passed the following resolution: — “ We. the parliamentary members of the United Party, desire to place on record our sincere appreciation of the signal services rendered the party by Mr A. E. Davy, the Dominion organiser, and the part he played in our victory at the polls.” The members of the United f’arty were entertained at lunch to-day at the Royal Oak Hotel by Sir Joseph Ward.