THE PARTY CAUCUS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21032, 22 May 1930, Page 10

THE PARTY CAUCUS.

FULL GATHERING OF MEMBERS. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S MESSAGE. r STRONG APPEAL FOR LOYALTY. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, May 21. There was a buzz of sessional interest and activity about Parliament House today as the result of the caucus of the United Party for the purpose of discussing the selection of a leader to succeed Bir Joseph Ward. Until this morning only a few members of the party were in town, and there had been no opportunity for members to get together and discuss the position. This morning, however, groups.of United Party members were to be seen in various parts of the buildings engaged in animated discussion. Originally the caucus was timed to commence at 10 o’clock, but in order to suit the convenience of Auckland members a postponement was

taade for half an hoar. At half-past 10 all members with the exception of Mr G. 0. Munns, member for Roskill, were in attendance, and a start was made with the proceedings. Mr Monas arrived about & quarter of an hour after the start. The only Independent member of Parliament who was present was Mr J. T. Hogan, who represents Rangifikei, but Mr Hogan has made fairly evident both by his utterances and his actions that he is a supporter of the United , Party. MR FLETCHER’S POSITION. The one absentee from the meeting apart from Sir Joseph Ward, who is still under treatment at Rotorua, is Mr J. S. Fletcher,! member for Grey Lynn, Who has been strongly critical of the party, and about three months ago declared that while he still upheld the ideals of the party he did not desire any further invitations to the party caucuses. The protest entered by Mr Fletcher against not being invited to attend today's meeting was referred to the deputy leader of the party (Hr G. W. Forbes) to-day. Mr Forbes said that Hr Fletcher had remarked that though he had previously intimated he would not in future attend caucuses, the present meeting was not a caucus, but a conference, and ns a member of the United Party he should have been invited. The meeting, said Mr Forbes, was a caucus, nud not a conference, and be added tbht he had had nothing to do with the sending out of the I Invitations. The notices were despatched by the Prime Minister. THE MORNING SESSION. , Approached as the meeting dispersed for luncheon, the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) said that the proceedings during the morning had been of a most amicable nature and that no discordant note had been struck. “ There was certainly no sign," he said, “ of members of the party walking out ns I notice has been suggested by some people.” Replying to questions, Mr Forbes said that the discussion had been devoted to a general talk about policy matters, and he anticipated that this would continue for a couple of hours in the afternoon before the important business of receiving nominations for the leadership was reached and the deciding vote taken. Mr Forbes said he did not expect that the meeting would conclude until late in the afternoon. He added that it was hoped to finish all the business in time to allow members from north and south to return to their homes this evening. MESSAGE FROM SIR JOSEPH WARD. The meeting was presided over by Mr Forbes, and amongst the opening business a lengthy message was read from the Prime Minister as follows: To my fellow members of the Parliamentary United Party.—lt is with very great regret that I. inform you that on the insistent advice of my doctors I have decided to tender my

resignation as Prime Minister. I had earnestly hoped that I should have sufficiently recovered from the illness which overtook me towards the end of last session to have been able to resume my active place among you. My medical advisers have stated definitely that further rest and free--dom from official wdrk are essential 1 to the recuperation of my health. For this reason, as I have already publicly announced, it has become necessary to adopt the advice which has been pressed upon me. I desire to express to you all ray heartfelt appreciation (it the loyal support and assistance which you have given to me since the Government assumed office in December, 1928, and to thank you sincerely for the kindness and consideration which you have extended to me, particularly during the period of my indisposition. No man could have' wished for more loyal comrades, and although I am now relinquishing my post as Prime Minister I will still continue to be your fellow member of the House as the representative of Invercargill. I think it can be claimed with con-

fidence that the Government, since it came into office, can look back with satisfaction on a programme of definite achievement in the interests of the country. Questions affecting finance, State advances, public works policy, land settlement, unemployment, social legislation, and many others have been successfully dealt with. There are still many difficult problems which demand the attention and consideration of Parliament, and these will no doubt occupy a leading place in the programme which will be later submitted to the House. Now a word as to the future. It will become necessary for you at your meeting to-day to select a new leader. I want to take this opportunity of impressing as strongly as I can the absolute necessity that the new leader in his difficult task shall have the loyalty and warm-hearted cooperation of all members of the party. No Government can carry on effectively the work of administration if dissension and a lack of unity prevail. Especially is loyal cohesion in the party essential at a time when its number in Parliament is not relatively strong. I am sure that your selection will be guided by a realisation of the importance of the occasion. In conclusion, I trust that the basicprinciples ol Liberalism, which in the past have done so much for the welfare of our country, will still remain the guiding factors of the new Government’s platform. These principles dictate a policy which is progressive and humanising and is vitally necessary for the advancement of a young nation like New Zealand. I take - farewell officially of you as your leader, and I renew my expressions of gratitude for your loyal support and sympathy, which at all times you have given to me. I extend my warmest good wishes for the success of your very important gathering today. Kindest regards to you all. SERVICES OF RETIRING LEADER. Subsequently the Chief Whip of the United Party, Mr A. J. Murdoch, announced that the following motion, proposed by Sir Apirana Ngata and seconded by Sir Thomas Sidey, had been carried unanimously:— That this meeting of the parliamentary members of the United Party have received with the deepest regret the intimation of the intention of their leader (Sir Joseph Ward) to resign his position as Prime Minister, more especially because of the health reasons which have dictated this step. The members of the party desire to place on record their keen appreciation of the distinguished services rendered to the Dominion by Sir Joseph Ward throughout a long period of service in the public life of New Zealand. For over 40 years Sir Joseph has served his country as a private member of the House, as a Minister of the Crown, and as Prime

Minister. During this long term he has always been actuated by an intense zeal and earnest desire to promote the progress and well-being of the Dominion and its people. Not only in our domestic sphere of Government has he taken a prominent part, but in the wider field of Empire he has been an outstanding figure. We feel that he has deservedly earned the thanks of the country for his illustrious services. We extend to our leader our heartfelt sympathy in his indisposition and our sincere wishes that he may speedily regain good health and still have many happy years spared to him. MINISTERIAL RANK RETAINED. Members of the party expressed the unanimous wish that Sir Joseph Ward should retain his position as a member of the Executive Council without portfolio. On this decision being communicated to the Prime Minister at Rotorua Sir Joseph readily acceded, stating that his advice and counsel would at any time he at the disposal of ohi new Government.