“ ONE GREAT END.”

Waipawa Mail, Volume L, Issue 2, 19 September 1928, Page 1

“ ONE GREAT END.”

CONFERENCE OF UNITED PARTY. POLICY IN THE MELTING POT. WELLINGTON, Monday. In his opening address at the United Party’s Conference, Mr R. Masters, cx-member for Stratford, said: —“We have a tremendous amount of work before us, so 'I shall ■ not occupy much of your time. May I point out that this occasion is quite unique in the annals of New Zealand political history, and it is up to each and every one of us to strive towards the establishment of a precedent that will never be eclipsed. Never before has there been so much dissatisfaction with the existing politico) conditions; never before has there been such a strong, determined, and united effort to ameliorate the conditions and to put the affairs of the country in order. It has been attempted in the past, hut the attempts have failed and these tentative, parties have never reached the culminating point, the completion, that, now lies in our hands to make or mar. And when T think of the untiring efforts of the organisation the ceaseless work it has accomplished in bringing you together, I feel sure that it will meet with the success it so justly deserves. More, when I look round this hall and see men before me who have contributed their quota of work, and more, who steadfastly held to the course they set themselves, and who now sit here with determination written on their faces and actuated by the spirit to construct and create, I feel confident that we will rise from our final sitting with something that is worthy of all that has been done. It will be something they will be proud to belong to, a United party, capably led, strong of personnel, and as perfect of policy as human brain and human energy can make possible. OUT OF THE ASHES.

“Gentlemen, cast your minds back cne year. The political air was heavy with suspicion and dissatisfaction. A great party, the Liberal party, was moribund. A decadent party held sway, and only the Labor party, intolerable to we New Zealanders, offered as Reform’s alternative. Liberalism lay in ashes, while the spirit of Reform had fled with that of its great leader. Phoenix-like, out of the ashes, have we risen. The organisation grew from one individual to a tremendous and a very efficient political force. It has had its set-backs, and the old game of the “Party in Power” has been played vigorously, even up to the eleventh hour just pior to the conference, but it has survived and grown out of all proportion in the face of difficulties such as few men can appreciate. The organisation has placed the threads on the loom, the candidates must weave the pattern. From your party, evolve your policy, and I predict, gentlemen, that it will not be. long before you occupy the Treasury Benches. Now that, our policy is in the melting pot, when the dross must be separated from the true metal, I know the candidates appreciate the need for real unity and co-operation. We must sink individuality and work towards the one great end only, the formation of a party that will give to this country the capable administration of

which it is in dire need. Upon the fate of this conference depends the fate of you, as candidates, and the fate of the country as a whole. The first fine threads of unity have been tied, gentlemen, as your presence indicates. Now you must complete the work.”

THE LEADERSHIP.

SIR JOSEPH WARD PLEASED TO ACCEPT. WELLINGTON, Monday. At the United Party Conference, which was resumed this morning, out of 60 candidates announced, 51 were in attendance. By a unanimous resolution, it agreed that the party should go to the polls as the “United Party.” Various quesions of policy referred to a special committee were reported to the full conference, where the policy was exhaustively discussed and finally determined by all the candidates assembled. Mr W. J. Henderson, deputy chairman of the United Party, on behalf of the party, offered Sir Joseph Ward the leadership and pledged him undivided loyalty and whole-hearted support. Mr Henderson’s remarks were endorsed by Messrs W. Perry, A. B, Sievwright, G. W. Forbes, E. A. Ransom, T. K. Sidey, W. J. Broadfoot, T. McDonald, J. Trevcthick, W. J. Horne, A. J. Stallworthy, W. E. Taylor and J. B. Donald. Sir Joseph, who had a most enthusiastic reception, in an impressive speech said that no one occupying the position in which he stood at the moment could help feeling very proud at the sentiments which had been ; expressed towards him. They were [ such as to make anv man feel very proud. He thanked Mr Forbes, leader jof the National party, for the remarks he had made and the goodwill he had expressed in regard to the future.

Addressing the members of the Conference, Sir Joseph said he desired to say a word about the difficulties of the situation. It would be ideal for them to think that after what had been a most successful conference they could go back to their respective districts with the feeling that everything would run smoothly. That was not so. He urged them that, whatever difficulties might arise, they should treat their opponents fairly and honorably. He said that if Ihe United Party came into power it had got to affirm and act up to certain principles, which he was sure would commend themselves to all those present and to the bulk of the people of New Zealand. He wanted to lay down a policy for the good of the country as a whole; he wanted to see a policy adopted which would not only be for the good of tlie country as a whole, but a noliev which could be carried out without injuring any section of the community, or the farmers, or the workers.

Sir Joseph then said: “I want to say that I highly appreciate the fact that you asked me to fill the position of leader of the United Party. I will very cheerfully undertake those duties, and I feel sure that T will have the goodwill and support of all its members.”

Sir Joseph concluded by,expressing confidence that the United Party would return successful after the election, with its banner flying high at the masthead.