THE POLITICAL ARENA

Southland Times, Issue 19278, 24 June 1924, Page 5

THE POLITICAL ARENA

NATIONAL PARTY MAY ENTER EARLY ELECTION PREDICTED PROBABILITY OF GOVERNMENT’S DEFEAT. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 23. Mr J. S. Dickson, M.P. for Parnell, the senior Government Whip, was interviewed to-day on the subject of the formation of a National Party from both Reform and Liberal ranks, with possibly a small Labour element. Referring to a statement by Mr H. R. Mackenzie on the subject, he said he thought there was a great deal in what Mr Mackenzie had said, because the time had arrived when there could be only two parties in New Zealand. He believed that it was absolutely necessary that there should be a reconstruction of the present Cabinet. Nothing less would satisfy the country. He also believed that at the next election a strong National Party would be formed, more especially to fight the city electorates. This party would be more or less a fusion of Reform and Liberalism. The country members and country people were talking about a Country Party, and he thought that a National Party wculd come from the city and be a success. It would not be surprising if there was an amalgamation of the two. It would not be so strong on party lines as either the present or previous Governments, but a broad, national point of view would be brought to bear on all questions. That was merely his idea. He had not been approached on ths subject, but the feeling in electorates pointed in that direction.

Mr Dickson predicted an early election, saying: “I do not think the Government will get ite measures through, and an apjieal to the country is quite likely. This is my opinion as a private member, and as the Government Whip.”