BREACH IN UNITED PARTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 10

BREACH IN UNITED PARTY

TWO MEMBERS WITHDRAW.

ATTITUDE OF MR. FLETCHER.

MR. JENKINS INDEPENDENT.

CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

A caucus of the members of the United Party was held at Parliament House this morning.

The Deputy-Leader of the party, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, presided in the absence of the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, who is still receiving treatment at Rotorua. All the members of the party were present except Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. E. F. Healy, member for Wairau, who is undergoing treatment at Helensville following a breakdown in health, and the Minister of Dofence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, who is visiting Samoa.

It is understood that tho greater part of this morning's proceedings was devoted to considering the attitude of certain members of the party who have offered open and at times very strong public criticism of the Government dur-* ing the Parliamentary recess. After ho had made clear his future attitude toward tho party, declaring that henceforth he will be an Independent member in tho House, with tho reservation that ho will at all limes assist tho Government to give effect to its policy as originally announced, Mr. 11. R. Jenkins, member for Parnell, withdrew from the meeting. Mr. Jenkins considered that in view of his changed attitude toward the party he should not rcmaiu or take part in any way with tho party's deliberations. Another member of the party who has freely criticised the Government, both during tho present recess and during the last session of Parliament, is Mr. J. S. Fletcher, member for Grey Lynn. It is understood that the latter part of this morning's proceedings of the caucus was occupied with discussion of Mr. Fletcher's attitude to the party. Mr. Fletcher, accompanied by his benchmate in the House, Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo), left the meeting two or three minutes before the luncheon adjournment.

"I do not desire any further invitations to party caucuses," said Mr. Fletchw, after the proceedings. Mr. Fletcher said he had not severed all connection with the United Party, as he still upheld the ideals formulated at the conference of candidates. He had adhered to .these ideals in bis election campaign. Mr. Fletcher said his attitude was fully supported by all the committees in his electorate. He was particularly supported in his stand regarding unemployment. His reasons for his attitude were based on the failure of the Minister of Lands to put tho party's land programme into operation and disapproval of the continued purchase of large estates at high prices, and tho control of affairs by officials instead of by Ministers. Ho also objected to tho Government's policy in Samoa.

Mr. Fletcher said the handling of the unemployment problem was the. greatest causo of dissatisfaction. Ho proposed to make a comprehensive statement, within a few days, giving his views on the question.

As far as Mr. Broadfoot is concerned it is not known whether any significance cau be attached to his action in leaving the caucus this morning with Mr. Fletcher. He has not made a statement, and he left for the North by train this evening.

STILL AN INDEPENDENT.

MR. WILKINSON'S POSITION.

WEAKNESS OF GOVERNMENT.

[US' TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

"I am an Independent still, and will consider every question upon its merits, irrespective of party considerations," said Mr. G. A. Wilkinson, member for Egmont, when asked whether there was any truth in rumours that there was a livelihood of his joining tho United Party.

"The slate of health of the leader of tho United Party is such that tho Government must bo seriously weakened in administrative action, especially whore important decisions regarding the welfare of the country have to bo made," said Mr. Wilkinson. "No ono regrets Sir Joseph's state of health more than I do, but it must be surely understood that the position of Prime Minister should be held by a man in a good state of health with a full supply of energy. How Sir Joseph can look forward to facing the next session I cannot understand.

"It is possible, of course, that Sir Joseph may elect to represent New Zealand nt the forthcoming Imperial Conference and thus escapo to somo extent the hard labour of tho coming session. I feel that 110 ono could do greater justice to New Zealand at tho conference than the right honourable gentleman. Apparently 110 change of Government can be made until tho House decides, aud then, of course, there is always the possibility of an election.

"1 am frankly in opposition to the Government on many questions, particularly in regard to its railway construction policy, a policy that is being pushed forward regardless of plain indications, not only in Now Zealand, but all over tho world, that railways arc not what they used to be, and that heavy losses aro likely to continue and actually increase. Tho South Island Main Trunk lino now being pushed forward will, in my opinion, bo a disastrous proposition.

"Tlio Sanioan position is ono that, I cannot endorse- The present United Party policy in Samoa is strictly the policy of tho Reform Party, and there is evidently a groat deal too much militarism, both passive and active. Military mon, in iny opinion, should not he appointed as administrators in Samoa." Dealing with tho land t&x, Mr. Wilkinson • considered that the only proper and sensible method of taxation was to tax profits according to scale when these profits were actually made and determined. "My view is that the land and nil producing activities should be kept as free ns possible from direct taxation," said Mr. Wilkinson. "When 1 see a party in sight with views corresponding with my own I will be only too ready to co-operate iu the fullest possibl® way."