THE LIBERAL PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1920, Page 5

THE LIBERAL PARTY.

ONE MEMBER BREAKS AWAY. By Telezraph.—l'ress Association. Blenheim, Last Night. During the course of an interview, Mr H. McCallum, M.P. for Wairau, said the results of the last general election have produced a new and unprecedented situation in Parliamentary history. The I old dividing lines of Conservative and Liberal have disappeared, or have so merged and converged as to have it somewhat difficult for many to discover the distinguishing party principles. The disappearance of Sir Joseph Ward (temporarily or otherwise) from New Zealand politics has still further promoted this situation, as it has left no one with the outstanding ability and author- , ity he possessed to declare the policy of 'the Liberal Party. "It would be idle to deny that apart from any question of numbers, the old solidarity of the party has gone," added Mr. McCallum. "I am not alone among those who followed Sir Joseph Ward and the late Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald in finding that I canont accept Mr. Wilford as my leader. Ido not propose to enter into the reasons for this conclusion, as these might be regarded as more or less invidious, but the impossibilty of his holding the party seems to me beyond question. In such a situation, I find it due to my constituents and myself to define my position in the House to-day. I stand for political principles, but have no political leader, and these principles I shall endeavour to support and promote irrespective ofparty, until a leader arrives or emerges •who, in my judgment, is qualified for and politically worthy of Liberal leaierrfiip, if, indeed, the Liberal Party is to survive."