THE UNITED PARTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3961, 11 February 1930, Page 27

THE UNITED PARTY.

MR DAVY SPEAKS OUT. REPLY TO CHARGES. W ELLINGTON, February 4. ‘‘ The quiescence of members of the Cabinet seems to me very significant. ’The silence of Ministers, no doubt, salves their dignity, but it does not answer ‘he facts," said Mr A. E. Davy, in a statement yesterday. “ Regarding the charges of the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) and members of the executive, that my recent statement arose from a fear of losing my salaried position,” he proceeded, I wish to make it clear that my position weighs not one iota with me when the country’s interests and my declared principles are at stake. In the middle of last session 1 wrote to the Minister of Public Works (Mr E. A. Ransom) stating, ’ If ■ .itements such :s yours are to be broadcast by members of the United Party it leaves me no option but to reconsider my position with the party.’ A letter sent by me to the Minister o' Lands (Mr G. W. Forbes) on October 8, which I invite him to publish, will also show the reason for the unfaii charge of self-interest, and also establish the reason '•* • the statement that I wished to dominate 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 Cabinet were doing. The meeting of members of the Cabinet, with a few members of the executive, on December 19 was called for the purpose of discussing a pre-election debt for advertising, and I was not, as stated by the executive, ‘ summoned to give an account of certain matters,’ or of anything. The attempt by Cabinet to take control of the organisation now seems likely to reach a successful conclusion. Resolutions are being passed all over New Zealand, and one must expect them to be of different shades of opinion in a party so mixed, but I am not concerned at any expression of opinion which may be made if the charges which I made in Auckland cause the electors to realise the state of affairs into which this country is drifting, and to demand that their representatives in the various constituencies get together in an attempt to solve these problems.’’

SUPPORT FOR PRIME MINISTER. HAW ERA, February 6. A resolution objecting to the criticism of the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) by Mr Davy, and endorsing the latter’s dismissal, was adopted by a representative meeting of United supporters in the Egmont electorate. The meeting further pledged its unswerving support to the United Party, and congratulated the Government on its effort to assist the masses of the people by its progressive legislation. Congratulations were also extended to the Prime Minister on his imnro”ed health.