UNITED PARTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 147, 21 May 1930, Page 6

UNITED PARTY

TO-DAY’S CAUCUS. THE LEADERSHIP QUESTION. (By Telegraph —Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON. May 21. The United Party members’ caucus for tho selection of a new leader opened in Parliament Buildings at 10.30 a.m. when the chief Government Whip Mr A. J. Murdoch stated to the that all tho invited members were present. Sir Joseph Ward, , it was reported, had expressed his willingness to come to Wellington, if it was desired, but he was assured by his Cabinet colleagues that the party would prefer to see him continuing without interruption the process of restoration to discussions beforehand heighten the impression that there will lie a contest for leadership between Hon. G. A\ . Forbes and Hon. E. A. Ransom. They are personally excellent friends, and, as a matter of fact, they walked together from their homes this morning to Parliament Buildings. However, the issue is not a personal one, and it appears to be the intention of the party to thoroughly thresh out the whole political position. LONG AND THOROUGH DISCUSSION. It is felt that the coming United Cabinet must stand or fall on its performances and policy: Tor this reason it may be taken for granted that there will be a long and thorough discussion on the future policy and administrative capacity, and that in The ultimate selection ballot much may depend on the impression which the prospective leaders make on tho whole party during this overhaul of political principles. , , . . It is probable that the leadership decision will not be reached until late in the day, and that the sittings niay even extend into the evening. - The caucus is being held m the Cabinet room used by the Prime Minister as his office. MR FLETCHER NOT INVITED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 21. All the members of tho United Party are present at to-day’s caucus, except Mr J. S. Fletcher, who was not invited. It is understood that each gentleman aspiring to the leadership will address the caucus on policy questions, after which a vote will be taken. OLD RUMOUR REVIVED. SIR JOSEPH WARD AND HIS CONSTITUENCY. (By Telegraph—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, May 21. Among the many interesting speculations regarding the leadership of the United Party, one current over a year ago has been revived. It is suggested that Mr R. Masters, formerly member for Stratford and chairman of the United Party during the general election campaign, would be asked to contest Invercargill, from which Sir Joseph Ward would resign, so that Mr Masters, if elected, could take tho leadership of the party in Parliament. The United supporters in the House, to whom this was referred yesterday, gave some practical reasons to discredit such a scheme, pointing out that the leadership decision must be prompt, as the Government has to prepare for the coming session, while an election would take probably six weeks to complete. However, they agree that Mr Masters stands high in the party’s counsels, and the hope is expressed that lie will ultimately seek a return to Parliament.

Sir Joseph Ward has himself provided the complete answer, for he forwarded yesterday a message for radio broadcasting from Invercargill, plainly stating his intention to maintain close political connection with that town while his health permits. The Southland Radio Club opened its transmitting station last night, and the retiring Prime Minister, in response to .an invitation to send an appropriate message for the occasion, included in it the following paragraph. “As you are all aware from a public statement I issued to the Press last week, I have decided, on the advice of my doctors, to relinquish the office of Prime Minister, and I desire to take this opportunity of saying how very greatly I have appreciated the kindness and consideration which the people of New Zealand have extended to me during the long period I have been in the public iite of New Zealand.

“Although I am resigning from the position of Prime Minister, it is my intention to still retain the representation of Invercargill in Parlamcnt. I want to assure my constituents that, health permitting, I hope I shall continue to retain their confidence. “As you know, I received my political birth in Southland, and I shall never forget the many many kindnesses I have received at the hands of its people.” STATEMENT BY MR MASTERS. Per Press Association. STRATFORD, May 20. The report that Mr R. Masters is a possible aspirant for the position of Prime Minister was referred to Mr Masters to-day. He stated that his visit to Rotorua was to oepfer with Sir Joseph Ward on business of a purely private nature, and it had nothing to do with the selection of a leader to succeed Sir Joseph. As far as he was concerned, Mr Masters went on, Iris present intention was that he would not re-enter politics, and that being so. lie found it difficult to understand why his name had been mentioned as an aspirant for the position of leader. Certainly no suggestion of the kind had ever come from him. lii conclusion, Mr Masters expressed the hope that whoever was selected as leader would still have Sir Joseph Ward associated with him in the Cabinet as Minister of Finance. In saying that lie believed ho was expressing the opinion of the vast majority of the people of the Dominion. When Sir Joseph Ward announced his resignation from the Premiership on account of ill-health, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., forwarded him a telegram expressing sympathy in his continued indisposition, and the hope that he would soon recover.