THE UNITED PARTY.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 3203, 25 February 1930, Page 5

THE UNITED PARTY.

MR. BROADFOOT'S POSITION

MESSRS. FLETCHER AND JENKINS "OUT."

Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, M.P. for Waitomo, said he had nothing to discuss when an enquiry was made as to the correctness of the report that he had left the United Party caucus, in Wellington on Friday, with Mr. J. S. Fletcher, M.P. for Grey Lynn Mr. Fletcher, on his return to Auckland on Saturday, said he intended to confer with his committee during the week. Mr. Jenkins stated that on reaching Wellington he found the business community very gravely dissatisfied because Sir Joseph Ward persisted in holding the office of Prime Minister. MR. LYE RETICENT. When Mr. Fred. Lye, M.P., was approached, by an Independent representative on his return' from Wellington, as to whether he had any statement to' make, he was very reticent. He remarked that anything he could say would not do much good at the present juncture. The three disgruntled members had been told in pretty plain language, just where they stood. They had been also plainly told that the general public generally had little time for those who could not be loyal Mr. Lye supported the statement of the Southern Member, Mr. R. W. Hawke, that the party was not at all disturbed at the attitude of the three members.

On Sunday Mr. Lye visited Rotorua with the United Friendly Societies' excursion, and during the day he had a brief chat with the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward. "In view of certain press reports and other reports that I had received, I did not expect to see Sir Joseph looking so well," said Mr. Lye. Mr. Lye said Sir Joseph was very confident of his renewed health.