DEMOCRATS CONFER

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19661, 22 August 1935, Page 7

DEMOCRATS CONFER

MEETING IN CAPITAL. PROCEEDINGS KEPT SECRET. DEFECTIONS FROM PARTY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. With an attendance of 53 candidates and prospective candidates, the Democrat Party’s conference opened in Wellington yesterday, to formulate a policy and elect a leader. The proceedings are not open lo I lie press, and an air of mystery surrounds the deliberations. So far very little Information has been divulged regarding the conference. The party organiser, Mr A. E. Davy, showed himself unwilling to communicate anything on the subject of yesterday’s proceedings, and speculation is consequently very active. Some significance is attached to the fact that the Mayor of Wellington, Mr T. c. A. Hislop, is attending the conference, and It is still thought very likely that he will be chosen as leader. Tile absence of Sir Alexander Herdman has also caused comment. It is understood that a letter was forwarded by Sir Alexander from Auckland, but neither the organiser nor any of the candidates would disclose any information as to the nature of its contents. A slightly different position arose out of the resignation of Mr W. Goodfellow. Mr Davy said Mr Goodfellow s resignation had been received, but be declined to divulge the reasons given by Mr Goodfellow for his resignation, and would not comment on the position beyond stating that Mr Goodfellow was only one man, and that bis resignation had not affected the solidarity of the party. The position with regard to Mr J. Hislop, the former chairman of the Auckland executive of the party, Mr Davy added, was exactly the same.

Only two sitting members of Parliament were present at the conference, Mr A. J. Slallworthy (Independent— Edsn) and Mr W. A. Vcitcli (Independent—Wanganui). Both held Cabinet rank in the United Government prior to the formation of the Coalition Government in 1931, and they have a former ministerial colleague in Mr J. B. Donald, who was defeated for Auckland East in the 1931 election. Mr T. W. McDonald, who defeated the Hon. A. D. McLeod for Walrarapa in 1928, but who was himself defeated in 1931, was also present. Three prospective Maori candidates were in attendance to-day, and also the two women candidates who have been definitely selected—Mrs S. M. Milne, ' who will contest Auckland West, and Mrs R. S. Black, an aspirant for one of the Dunedin seats.