MORE STRENGTH TO NATIONAL PARTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 43, 20 February 1941, Page 6

MORE STRENGTH TO NATIONAL PARTY

LIBERALS AND SOLDIERS INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY PLEDGED TO MAXIMUM WAR EFFORT | Fer Preaa A*soclatlon. ] WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. ' Following last night's announcement that the People's Movement and tile National Party had agreed to join forces, I am now able to announce further reinforcements," said the Leader ot the ©position, Mr. Holland, to-day. "The New Liberal Party, with branches in many parts of NewZealand, and the sponsors of a proposed Soldiers’ Party, have decided to join forces with the reinforced National Party,” added Mr. Holland. "This will unify all the forces having as an objective a maximum war effort, restoration ot personal liberty and the right of people to live their own lives in their own way and to fight against further socialistic encroachments. "Steps are being taken to give adequate representation to these very welcome additions to our rapidlygrowing strength, on the various branches of the National Party’s organisation, and I extend tire warmest possible welcome to all Liberals and others throughout New- Zealand.” Mr. Holland .aid he desired to maltf it clear that, the sponsors of the proposed Soldiers' Party were quite distinct and apart from the official Returned Soldiers’ Association, which, quite properly, was a non-political organisation, and that, as a result of an exchange of views between them and himself, they had decided not to proceed further with a plan for widespread extension of their organisation but to join forces with the Nation Party as the best means of ensuring a maximum war effort and rehabilitation of soldiers, and other members of the Armed Forces. Mr. Holland added that he had received the following letter from Mr. W. H. Nash, president of the New i Liberal Party."

“At a meeting of the Dominion Executive of the New Liberal Party a revolution was carried I agreeing to amalgamate under ' your leadership. I am firmly of the opinion that in you we have | a leader imbued with that steadi- ; ness and sincerity of purpose which is so essential in New Zea- ' land to-day, and we call upon all Liberal supporters to give you their fullest co-operation. It is my belief that, after the next Section. you will be called upon to , lead this country, and I feel I confident that you will fairly | represent all classes of the com- I munity, and not merely sectional | interests. From your repeated 1 public statements I know that, j while you will give to all sections j of the community a full measure ] of your help and support, you | will, at the same time, preserve mir ancient heritage of individual j liberty." NATIONAL PARTY IN : MAN4WATU SEVEN NOMINATIONS - | BALLOT NECESSARY TO FIND 1 CANDIDATE. FEILDING, Feb. 19. ' Alter the announcement some months ago by Hon. J. G. Cobbe, that he did not intend to contest the Manawatu seat at the next general election. the National Party organisation in the Manawatu called for nominations for candidates. The list has closed with seven names—Messrs. Ernest William Barnett, farmer, Halcombe; Neil Campbell. farmer, Awahuri, Joseph Linklater. farmer, Kairanga: James wairn, farmer, Feilding; James Leslie Nash, farmer, Linton; Matthew Henry Oram, solicitor. Palmerston North; and Donald Buchanan Rowe, farmer. Rongotea. These names have been submitted to headquarters of the New Zealand National Party and formally approved. and the candidates will appear before a meeting of the selection committee of the Manawatu Electorate to be held in Feilding on March 4, when the final choice of the official candidate will be made by ballot.