“A FREE LANCE.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 8

“A FREE LANCE.”

MR DAVY IN POLITICS.

RECENT RUMOURS DENIED. “ I am still a free lance in politics, but will continue to support the party which, in my judgment, is best fitted to govern the destinies of New Zealand. That party is most certainly not the United Party,” said Mr A. E. Davy, when denying rumours that he was directing the Reform campaign at the Waipawa by-election (states the Dominion). “It has been suggested that I am directing the Reform campaign. I give this a flat denial. Another statement that I am in charge of all the organisation of Mr Tucker, is incorrect. So far as 1 am aware, Mr Budd, Reform organiser, is in charge of the campaign,” stated Mr Davy, “ and he has an assistant. Mr F. a’Deane. — “ Still another statement that 1 regard the by-election as a real test ,of the standing of the two parties is ridiculous. The only test that can be made between the parties is a general election. “ I predict that when that time comes the. United Party will sink back to that political oblivion (to which it truly belongs) from which I rescued it in 192728.. To say that I bitterly regret doing so is to put it mildly. “My reason for being in the constituency at this time, and also taking part in the Parnell by-election, is in fulfilment of a promise made the United Party that if it failed to keep faith with the electors I would work as hard to put it out as I did to put it in. Mr Tucker is a life-long friend of mine; I regard ’his as the ideal type that we require in our Parliament and I sincerely trust that he will be returned on October 8.

“ I will always retain the right first of all to do my duty to my country and second to my party. I would give this message to my opponents: I will fight them hard but fairly, if they will not treat me the same, then I must protect myself.”