NEW POLITICAL BODIES

Southland Times, Issue 24114, 1 May 1940, Page 8

NEW POLITICAL BODIES

Three Organizations Developing SEARCH FOR MIDDLE COURSE (Special to The Times) WELLINGTON, April 30. With the launching of three new organizations recently, local interest in I politics has quickened and the develop- | ment of these fresh growths is being | watched keenly. This evening one of I them, the People’s Movement held a j well-attended meeting to discuss that I elusive middle course in politics. To- | morrow night friends and supporters of the Democratic Labour Party are invited to hear addresses by Mr J. A. Lee and the Hon. W. E. Barnard who expect to fill the Court Chambers of the Wellington Town Hall. The third party, calling themselves Liberals, are I also angling for public support. I In the meantime Auckland West is i to be the centre of a minor battle in I which the National Party is likely to observe a political truce and not enter i a candidate. The official Labour I nominee, Mr Peter Carr, who is unI known outside Auckland, must be a winner. Mr Lee’s party is not putting forward anyone for reasons he outlined in a typical interview today. “Before we contest a seat,” said Mr Lee, “we shall have adequate preparation, organization and funds.” Discussing his party’s immediate objective, he said that they aimed at getting the I basis of a North Island organization together before the session. MR LEE ON “YES” MEN “Temporarily we must leave the selected official ‘yes’ man alone,” continued Mr Lee. “Obviously, powerfully centralized control is accompanied by a deterioration in the quality of candidates. Cabinet wants rabbits. I was on the national executive when the Christchurch South vacancy occurred. There was ample time for a democratic selection by ballot of which I was in favour but the Government wanted a ‘yes’ man. Glowing graveside tributes were paid to the late Teddy Howard who was not a ‘yes’ man. Maybe it was feared that democratic selection would favour his daughter who apparently inherited enough of her father’s qualities to be inadequately servile, and democracy did not prevail. We shall build a movement which will give men and women of opinion and courage opportunity to fight for New Zealand, and then we shall strike. Meanwhile the official Labour Party w/.l go on adding to its tail of forlorn trailers.” In the meantime anyone who expected any radical changes in the Cabinet will be disappointed in the Hon. P. Fraser’s announcement this evening. The personnel remains the same, a few obvious readjustments in portfolios being the only alteration. There seems little doubt that the Prime Minister intends to proceed with caution an<’ in the final analysis few spectacular changes in the Ministry are likely to be made. The present reallocation of portfolios, while not strengthening the Cabinet, will make for better administration.

The next date of interest is that on which the second Government caucus will be held. To carry out the promise to the last caucus it will have to be summoned within the next fortnight. The Prime Minister is to make a full report on the Cabinet and its construction.