UNITED PARTY TROUBLE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 26, 31 January 1930, Page 11

UNITED PARTY TROUBLE

"SQUABBLE IN WELLINGTON.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, 30th January. A prominent local member of the United Party, in conversation with a "Daily Times" reporter to-day, throw some light on tho recent trouble in tho ranks of the party. He stated that the dismissal of Mr. Davy was duo to a squabble in Wellington. None-, of the local branches had been consulted in tho matter, and they had received uo communication, so far as he knew. Since Mr. Davy'a services had been dispensed with, the local executive of the party had not held a meeting to consider tho matter, but he knew that among the members there was a certain amount of sympathy with Mr. Davy, although it was considered that he should not have made his criticism of the party available for publication. From the' remarks of the Dunedin member it was plainly indicated that the meeting •at which Mr. Davy was dismissed was by no means representative of the party as a whole. Ho stated that all the executives had been clamouring for a meeting of delegates which could elect a Dominion executive. There was a Dominion executive at present, but it had been self-appoint-ed at the timo when the party had been formed. It was composed of representatives of the centres and about seven others. Members outside Wellington had not been invited when tho meeting had been held to eject Mr. Davy from office. There was jio doubt that the mooting was not entitled to dismiss Air. Davy, but as the party- was not properly constituted he could obtain no redress from the courts. The member considered that as all of the members contributed to Mr. Davy's salary they should have a voice in the question whether he was dismissed or not. Action had been taken by Wellington alone, and the trouble seemed to be due. to a certaia extent to a difference between the men who wanted to be at head of the organisation. It is understood that Mr. Davy was in receipt, of a salary of £1500 a year. The Dunedin member was asked whether he knew anything regarding the rumour that there was a split iv the party. He replied that he had not heard tho rumour, and added that so far as Dunedin was concerned, at least, I there was no sign of a split.