RUMOURS OF DESERTION

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1927, Page 9

RUMOURS OF DESERTION

REFORM AND A NEW PARTY HON. A. D. MeLEOD SCOUTS IDEA. LOYALTY OF THE MEMBERS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. “Mere fudge,” was the description applied by the Hon. A. D. McLeod, chairman of the Reform Political Organisation, to the declaration that members of the Government party in Parliament were about to throw in their lot with the United New Zealand Political Organisation. Asked to-day whether he had any comment to make with respect to recent statements in the Press regarding the formation and supposed growth of a new political party under the guidance of Mr. Davey, late organiser for the Reform Party, Mr. McLeod stated that he did not think the propaganda referred to called for any special notice from him.

“I may state, however,” added the Minister, “that the reference to ten, or is it 20, Reform supporters in Parliament being ready and anxious to desert to the renegade standard the moment it is set up, is mere fudge. I have had considerable experience in political matters for a number of years and I have never known of a party with a majority sueh as Reform is holding at the present time display to its leader the same high degree of loyalty as the present Reform supporters are showing to the Prime Minister.” "I have in my possession,” continued the Minister, "what I believe to be a fairly correct list of those who have attended Mr. Davey’s several meetings, and also the names of those who have taken anything approaching a prominent part in the movement. Very few of the number can be claimed as deserters from the Reform banner, although I admit that several have supported our candidates for the past two or three elections. "In the main, however,” concluded Mr. Mceod, “they are eX-Liberals or belong to a group of individuals who for reasons which arc personal rather than altruistic have no abiding place politically and who, like the lions of Biblical history, move up and down the land seeking whom they may devour.”