ROCKS AND SHOALS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 70, 6 March 1930, Page 6

ROCKS AND SHOALS

THE UNITED PARTY SHIP

] A DIFFICULT TRIP AHEAD. j

LABOUR MEMBER’S OPINION.

Invercargill, March 5.

At a meeting here to-night, Mr D. G. Sullivan, Labour M.P. for Avon, said it was somewhat difficult to discuss at present such a delicate matter as the political situation. The question on everyone’s lips was: What is going to happen! Ho would say that if the present Government could emerge through' the coming session it would be one of the wonders in the political history pf New Zealand. The forthcoming session would be a working one. The introduction had all been completed and the Government must bring down its legislation.

In his opinion it seemed a very difficult matter for the Prime Minister to steer his ship successfully through the rocks and shoals abounding everywhere. They all knew of the illness of Sir Joseph Ward and the whole country regretted it, but despite the optimistic note sounded it was ex‘.reniely difficult for him to steer his party, especially if he could not be present in the House as its leader. Without his presence there it was impossible for the United Party to survive.

Mr Sullivan predicted that once the United Party lost Sir Joseph it would collapse like a pack of, cards. In addition to the loss of Mr Wilford, who, the speaker said, had been a tower of' strength to the party, there was dissension in the party itself. The defection of three members who recently dissociated themselves from the party on the grounds that they had no confidence further in it, must be a severe blow, even to a strong party, and as they all knew the United Government was a minority party only able to retain power by reason of the Opposition being divided into two hostile camps. Mr Sullivan referred to the expulsion of Mr Davy and the resignations of the secretary of the party, Mr Pope, and the organiser, Mr Moller, and said that a big gap had been created by the dissension. Thus, he said, the Government had lost much of its prestige and they would realise how difficult it would be for it to go through its full term.

Mr Sullivan added that the Samoan difficulty had been accentuated by the policy of the Government in resorting to force. He believed the whole country was more or less asl.am ed of the policy the Government had pursued, and this view was hebi by all, irrespective of the political views.

PARTY’S ORGANISATION.

TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.

Wellington, March 5. A statement has been issued by the executive cf the United Political Organisation concerning its internal organisation.

Inter alia, it is announced that Mr A. E. Davy’s place has been temporarily filled by a staunch and loyal member of the executive, Mr James W. Henderson, of Wellington, who is acting as chairman without reniuneraton, while work in connection with the secretarial and organising duties is also being carried out satisfactorily by Mr James A. Shand, a wellknown journalist, formerly chief cubeditor of the "New Zealand Times.’’ A statement is also made that there is ample evidence available to p-ove that the action of the executive ’n deposing Mr Davy from the position of chairman and determining his engagement with the organisation has restored eenfidm-ce in the executive and has met with general approval throughout the whole Dominion.

CHRISTCHURCH SUPPORT.

Christchurch, March 5.

Mr R. B. Dailey, secretary of the Christchurch branch of the United Party, states that at a reecnt meeting of the executive a resolution has been passed censuring Mr Davy for the attack made on the Prime 'Minister and Cabinet, endorsing the action of the Dominion executive in donosing Mr Davy, pledging support to Sir Joseph Ward as leader of the party, and congratulating the Government on its efforts to assist the masses of the people by progressive legislation.

MR JENKINS’ WITHDRAWAL

REASONS FOR ACTION.

Auckland, March b. A large meeting at Remuera was address by Mr H. R. Jenkins, M P-, who gave his reasons for leaving the United Partv.

Mr Jenkins said that the pariy’s election policy, such as income tax revision and customs taxation, had not been carried out. It. had failed to reorganise the Public Works Department, and the railway policy had Been violated. The party had supported Labour legislation last session as the price of minority Government. He intended to sit as an Independent until a two-party system was evolved.

Ho would support Mr Coates to bring this system into force.

Replying to a questioner, he said that it the meeting indicated by a majority show of hands its wish that ho should resign aud contest the scat again he would do so. Only Parnell electors should vote. The chairing,! said ho could not distinguish Parnell voters from o’i-'ers and the matter was allowed to drop.