UNITED PARTY DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20472, 25 January 1930, Page 12

UNITED PARTY DISPUTE.

CHAIRMAN DEPOSED.

DECISION OF EXECUTIVE.

HONORARIUM TO CEASE.

LEGAL ACTION THREATENED.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

Sensational developments in connection with the United Party's organisation took place to-night afc a meeting of tho executive of tho United New Zealand Political Association.

According to an official report supplied, a resolution was unanimously carried terminating Mr. Davy's services as chairman and stopping the payment of his honorarium.

In a statement, Mr. Davy declared that tho meeting was illegal and intimated that to-morrow he would apply to the Suprqmo Court'for an injunction restraining the executive from acting in the manner decided upon.

The official report of the meeting stated that the following resolutions were carried unanimously, after one member of tho executive had retired from the room with Mr. Davy:— "That having regard to previously expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of Mr." Davy as chairman particularly expressed at a meeting of tho executive held on December 20, 1929, when a motion condemning Mr. Davy's unsatisfactory conduct as chairman and dispensing with his services and terminating his engagement as from that date, and requesting that lie should forthwith hand over possession of tho offices, together with all keys, books, papers, money and all other property of the executive was submitted and deferred until after the Christmas holidays with a view to a conference being held between Cabinet and the executive to discuss Mr. Davy's position. And in view of Mr. Davy's violent and wholly unjustifiable attack on the Leader of "the party and his Ministers made on January 13 and subsequently in the press in Auckland despite Mr. Davy's undertaking given to the executive at a meeting held on October 15, 1929, that he would not make any further communication to the press without the approval of the executive, this executive disassociates itself from Mr. Davy's utterances as being incorrect and unwarranted and strongly condemns his action as being disloyal to the executive and to the party and a flagrant breach of the rules of organisation and of the undertaking given by him to the executive. " This executive therefore resolves that Mr. Davy do forthwith cease to be chairman of the executive.

" This meeting further resolves that Mr. Davy's honorarium cease as from to-day. This meeting further resolves that Mr. Davy forthwith hand over possession of the offices together with all keys, hook?, papers. money 9 and other property of the executive. "This executive also desires to place on record (1) that the meeting of the executive was held on December 20, 1929, as a result of a conference between members of the Cabinet and of the executive on the previous day, when Mr. Davy was summoned to give an account of certain matters, and strong disapproval of Mr. Davy's conduct was expressed, and the necessity stressed for an immediate change, (2) and affirms continued confidence in Sir Joseph Ward and his Ministers."

STATEMENT BY MR. DAVY.

DISORDERLY MEETING.

INJUNCTION TO BE SOUGHT.

In the course of a statement after the meeting, Mr. Davy said: — "In the.first place, I contended that the meeting was illegally constituted, one delegate being present who is not a duly constituted member of the executive. It was decided that the delegates should remain in the room, but take no part in the proceedings. "An executive member then wished his objections noted that the meeting was illegal, because it had not been constitutionally cailed. This delegate voiced the opinion that the president had no power to convene such a meeting, in such a manner.

"Another executive member also wished his objection to be noted in the minutes on the ground that other duly-constituted members had not been duly notified of the meeting. "After the objections had been noted a lengthy resolution was read by an executive member, the effect of it being that Mr. Davy should be deposed as chairman. A member evidently knowing tho resolution bettor than the mover took the resolution and split it up into several resolutions. Apparently there was good reason for this action. Tho first part of the original resolution was then moved and seconded. Acting on legal advice in my possession I refused to accept this resolution on the ground that it was unconstitutional. I attempted to give reasons for not accepting the resolution, but several executive 'members made so much noise that it. was impossible to bo 'heard. They flatly refused to listen to the constitur ti'onal 'position or obey the ruling oi tho chair.' "Then a member 1 moved that tho chairman leave the chair, which motion I promptly refused to accept. This member, then moved that Mr. Masters- tako tho chair. This was promptly seconded and put to the meeting by the mover. I endeavoured to show how improper was this proceeding, but tho meeting was in such an uproar that I closed it. "I thereupon retired, one other member retiring with me as a protest. "Tho action of the meeting was not unexpected, 4 as the original resolution had been circulated among members for over a' week.. Jt was • therefore • drawri up during my absence in Auckland. No explanation of- my conduct as defined by (lvo notice of .tho meeting was invited or permitted;!' nor ,waV; the organisation'ts opinion sought. It is quite evident to mo that the gag was.being applied and an at,tempt made to, prevent me from at* {ending a Dominion conference which tho executive knew full well 1 intended to (iall vvithiril Ihiiee.'weeks.'': • . When asked what lie intended to do in regard to the executive's action Mr. ,Davy 'said i* "It is'my intention to take tlio matter considerably further. As the organisation was responsible _ for the United Political Party the. public are entitled to certain facts which I intend to give at an early date. " The first conference of the organisation laid down definitely tho procedure for. tho election of officers, the relevant minutes clearly stating that the chairman, secretary, treasurer and executive should remain in office until the next conference was, held." • • ;> ,• Mr., Dayy. further stated that he intended to apply to-morrow'morning to the Supreme Council for'an injunction against the executive*. ' Mr.- Davy's statement was subsequently submitted, to the executive,. which made the following reply:—-The executive does not propose to comment on Mr. Davy's ludicrously inaccurate statement other tlium to say that in its opinion tho. meeting; which throughout, was very orderly, was properly constituted and the executive was fully justified in its decisions. Furthermore, with the exception of the member who left the room with Mr. Davy the executive was unani* mous in its action.