UNITED PARTY SQUABBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20481, 5 February 1930, Page 14

UNITED PARTY SQUABBLE.

POSITION OF MR. DAVY.

THE "QUIESCENCE" OF CABINET

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, Tuesday

"The quiescence of members of tho Cabinet seems to me very significant. The silence of Ministers no doubt salves their dignity, but it does not answer facts," said Mr. A. E. Davy, in a statement to-day.

"Regarding tho charges of tho Prime Minister and members of the executive that my recent statement arose from fear of losing my salaried position," ho proceeded, "I wish to mako it cleai that my position weighed not on© iota with mo when tho country's interests and my declared principles aro at stake. In the middle of last session I wrote to tho Hon. E. A. Ransom, stating: 'lf statements such as yours are to bo broadcast by members of tho United Party it leaves mo no option but to reconsider my position with tho party.' "A letter sent by me to the Hon. G. W. Forbes on October 8, which I invite him to publish, will also show tho reason for tho unfair charge of self-interest and also establish tho reason for .the statement thajb I wished to dominate the Cabinet. If salary or position had been my object it would have been easy to retain them by silent acquiescence in what the party and the Cabinet were doing.' The mooting of members of tho Cabinet with a few members of the oxecutive on December 19 was called for tho purpose of discussing a pre-election debt for advertising, and I was not, as stated by the executive, 'summoned to givo an account of certain matters,' or of anything. "Tho attempt by tho Cabinet to tako control of tho organisation now seems likely to reach a successful conclusion. Resolutions aro being passed all over New Zealand, and ono must expect them to bo of different shades of opinion in a party so mixed, but I am not concerned at any expression of opinion which may bo made if the charges which I mado in Auckland cause tho electors to realise the stato of affairs into which this country is drifting, and to demand that their representatives in the various constituencies get togother in an attempt to solve these problems."