AN INDEPENDENT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 44, 21 February 1930, Page 10

AN INDEPENDENT

MR. H. R. JENKINS

RESIGNS FROM PARTY

REASONS EXPLAINED

-The critical attitude .which .the.j .United member for Parnell, Mr. H. K. Jeukins, has adopted for some months past towards the administration of the | Government culminated to-day in Mr, Jenkins's announcement at the party caucus that henceforth he may bo regarded in the House of Representatives as an Independent member. " A statement in justification of his action was made by Mr. Jenkins after Je had explained his position in faueus. Iv making his announcement to a "Post"- reporter, Mr. Jenkins ■aid that he had hoped to make the first definition of the course ho proposed to take at a meeting of his own electors, but this had not been possible because he had had only two days notice of the caucus at a time ; when 'ho.was recovering from an indisposition. 'TOR THE BEST INTERESTS." >■ "I have received hundreds of congratulatory messages from, all .over .New Zealand upon the stand which I have taken in, respect to the party, said Mr. Jenkins, "and I am more convinced than ever that what I have done is right. I, wish to announce that henceforth and until-such time' as j a fresh party can be formed, embracing the best elements of the United and 'Reform Parties and possibly a few Labour members, which will bring the House back to a two-party system and avoid the country drifting to Socialism, I shall cast my lot with the Independents. ' I firmly believe that this action -which I am taking is for the liestonterests of the country, and my , best judgment leads me to this decision. GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. "The Prime Minister' definitely stated through the Press that he would attend to-day's party conference, although many people thought that his health would not permit of his doing so. He has not attended, and although the deputy-leader of the party has made excuses for the Prime- Minister, my own opinion is that he is_ not in attendance owing to the condition of . his health, and I believe that will be the opinion of the people of New Zealand. How can a sick man do justice to the many portfolios which.Sir Joseph Ward holds? The responsibility of Minister of Finance alone requires that he should bo a very fit and able man. The raising of money at 5J per cent, in New Zealand is sufficient indication to me either that he is not conversant with the position and the results 'which must ensue, or that he is too sick to attend ,to his duties, leaving them to departmental heads. As a party we have denounced the control- of the country by departinenial heads, but what do we find to-day? .They are in greater power, possibly, than ever, what with the Prime Minister in his poor state of health and some Departments being under the control of inexperienced Ministers. POLICY NOT FOLLOWED. "I am of opinion that the winter we are facing will be one of the worst iv'cw Zealand • has experienced for many years. Dear money has been caused, and the bank rate is being increased. We are faced with a slump 'in wool values, and the wool growerß 'are not in a. position to get ready and cheap finance from the banks , owing to the Government's demands. I feel .that the Government has not followed, 'tho land settlement policy laid down ;b'y the members of the party prior to the General Election. They have devoted too much time in capital expenditure and the purchase "of large estates, and not sufficient time to the bringing in of unproductive Crown lands. They have progressed with a railway policy •which is totally unpopular throughout the country, and they are attempting t*o absorb' unemployed labour on those works instead of using them in connection with, the breaking in of the undeveloped Crown lands. THREE-PARTY SYSTEM HAS TAILED. "Although sitting on the Independent benches," said Mr. Jenkins,_ "I will assist the Government at all times to carry out their, policy as originally drafted, and I will remain an Independent until such time as a good strong two-party system can be evolved in the House. I am not desirous of expediting an election,. for I feel that the position would not be very materially altered one way or the other. I am of opinion that the three-pferty system has failed, and I am hopeful that through my attitude the Reform and United Party members will, toe brought together."