UNITED PARTY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18510, 6 March 1930, Page 8

UNITED PARTY

NEW OFFICIALS WORKING. By Telegraoh—-Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 5. A statement has been issued by the executive of the United Political Organisation, which deals with a number of matters concerning its internalorganisation. Inter alia it is announced that Mr A. E. Davy's place has been temporarily filled by a staunch and loyal member of the executive, Mr James W. Henderson, of Wellington, who is acting as chairman without remuneration; while work in connection with the secretarial and organising duties is also being carried out satisfactorily by Mr James A. Shand. a well known journalist, who was formerly chief sub-editor of the “New Zealand Times.” The statement is also made that there is ample evidence available to prove that the action of the executive in deposing Mr Davy from the position of chairman, and determining his engagement with the organisation, has restored confidence in the executive and has met with general approval throughout the whole of the Dominion.

MR JENKINS'S SECESSION. TWO-PARTY SYSTEM WANTED. By Telegraph-Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 5. A large meeting at Remuera was addressed by Mr H. R. Jenkins. M.P.. who gave his reasons for leaving the United Party. He said its election policy, such as income tax revision and customs taxation, had not been carried out. It had failed to reorganise the Public Works Department, and its railway policy had been violated. The party had supported Labour legislation last session as the price of minority Government. He intended to sit as an Independent until a twoparty system was evolved. He would support Mr Coates to bring this system into force. Replying to a questioner, Mr Jenkins said that if the meeting indicated by a majority show of hands its wish that he should resign and contest the seat again he would do so. Only Parnell electors should vote. The chairman said he could not distinguish Parnell voters from others, and the matter was allowed to drop.

LABOUR MEMBERS PREDICTION. COLLAPSE LIKE PACK OF CARDS. By Telegraph— P re&» Association. INVERCARGILL March 5. At a meeting here to-night, Mr D. G. Sullivan, Labour M.P. for Avon, said it was somewhat difficult for him. as a member of Parliament, to discuss at present such a delicate matter as the political situation. The question on everyone’s lips was: What is going to happen? He would say that if the present Government emerged through the coming session, it would be one of the wonders in the political history of New Zealand. The forthcoming session would be a working one. The introductions had all been completed, and the Government must bring down its legislation. In his opinion ,it seemed a very difficult matter for the Prime Minister to steer his ship successfully through the rocks and shoals abounding everywhere. They all knew of the illness of Sir Joseph Ward, and the whole country regretted it, but despite the optimistic note sounded there it was impossible for the United Party to survive.

Mr Sullivan predicted that once the United Party lost Sir Joseph it would collapse like a pack of cards. In addition to the loss of Mr T. M. Wilford, who, the speaker said, had been a tower of strength to the party, there was dissension within the party itself. The defection of three members who recently dissociated themselves from the party on the grounds that they had no further confidence in it, must be a severe blow even to a strong party, and, as they all knew, the United Government was a minority party, only able to retain power by reason of the opposition being divided into two hostile camps. Mr Sullivan referred to the expulsion of Mr Davy and the resignations of the secretary of the party (Mr Pope) and the organiser (Mr Moller), and said that a big gap had been created by dissension. Thus, he said, the Government had lost much of its prestige, and they would realise how difficult it would be for it to go through its full term. Mr Sullivan added that the Samoan difficulty had been accentuated by the policy of the Government in resorting to force. He believed the whole country was more or less ashamed of the policy the Government had pursued, and this view was held by all, irrespective of their political views.

CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH. CENSURE OF MR DAVY. By Telegraph—Preaa Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 5. Mr R. B. Dailey, secretary to the Christchurch Branch of the United Party, states that at a recent meeting of the executive, a resolution had been passed censuring Mr A. E. Davy for the attack made on the Prime Minister and the Cabinet; endorsing the action of the Dominion Executive in deposing Mr Davy; pledging support to Sir Joseph Ward as leader of the Party; and congratulating the Government on its efforts to assist the masses of the people by progressive legislation.