TWO PARTIES WANTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 12

TWO PARTIES WANTED.

ATTITUDE OF MR. JENKINS.

HEALTH OF PARTY LEADER

CONTROL BY OFFICIALS,

POLICY NOT FOLLOWED

[BY TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

The critical attitude which tho United member for Pnrnell, Mr. IT. It. Jenkins, has adopted for some months toward the administration of the Government culminated to-day iij Mr. Jenkins announcing at tho party caucus that henceforth ho may be regarded in tho House of Representatives as an Independent member. A statement in justification of his action was made by Mr. Jenkins aftor ho had explained his position in caucus. Mr. Jenkins said ho had hoped to make tho first definition of the course lie proposed to take at a meeting of his electors, but this had not been possible because ho had had only two days' notico of the caucus at a tima when ho was recovering from an indisposition. "I have received hundreds <of congratulatory messages from all over New Zealand upon tho staud which I have taken with respect to the party," he said. "I am moro convinced than ever that what 1 have done is right,, Absence of Prime Minister.

"I wish to announce that henceforth, and until such time as a fresh party can be formed embracing the hest elements of the United and Reform parties, and possibly a few Labour members, which will bring tho House back to a two-party system and avoid tho country drifting to Socialism, I shall cast my lot with the Independents. I firmly believe that this action which I am taking is for tho best interests of the country and my best judgment leads mo to this decision. "The Prifno Minister definitely stated through tho press that ho would attend to-day's party conference, although many people thought that his health would not permit of his doing so. Ho has not attended, and although tho deputy-leader of tho party has made excuses for thq Prime Minister, mv own opinion is that ho is not in attendance owing to tho condition of his health, and I believo that will be the opinion of tho peoplo of New Zealand. Responsibility of Office. i'How can a sick man do justice to the many portfolios which Sir Joseph Ward holds? Tho responsibility of Minister of Finance alone requires that ho should be a very fit and able man. The raising ot' i money at 51 per cont. in Now Zealand is ! sufficient indication to mo either that lie is not conversant with tho position and the results which must ensue, or that ho is too sick to attend to his duties, leaving them to departmental heads. As a party wo have denounced tho control of the country by departmental heads, but what do we find to-day? They are in greater power possibly than over, what with the Prime Minister in his poor state of health and some departments being under tho control of inexperienced Ministers.

'"I am of opinion that the winter wn are facing will be one of the worst NewZealand lias experienced for many years. Dear money has been caused and tho bankrate is being increased. Wo are faced with a slump in wool values and tho wool growers aro not in a position to get ready and cheap finance from the banks owing to tho Government's demands. Land and Railway Policies.

"I feel that the Government has not ! followed the land settlement policy laid down by the members of the party prior to the general election. Thev havo devoted too much time to capital expenditure and the purchase of large estates and not sufficient timo to the bringing in of unproductive Crown lands. They have proceeded with a railway policy which is totally unpopular throughout tho country .and they are attempting to absorb unemployed labour on those works instead of using it in connection with the breaking in of tho undeveloped Crown lands.

"Although sitting on the Independent benches I will assist the Government at all times to carry out their policy as originally drafted, and I will remain an Independent until such time as a trood strong two-party system can be evolved in the House. I am not desirous of expediting an election, for I. feel that tho position would not bo very materially altered ono way or the other. I am of opinion that tho three-party system has failed and I am hopeful that, through my attitude, tho Reform and "United Party members will be brought together."