UNITED PARTY

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

UNITED PARTY

OPENING OF CAUCUS

CRITICS' EXPLANATIONS

A caucus of the members of the United Party was held at Parliament House this morning, presided over by the Deputy Leader of the party, the Hon. G. "VV. Forbes, in the absence of the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward), who is still under health treatment at.Eotorua.

All the members or! tho^party were present except Sir, Joseph Ward, Mr. X 1\ Healy, member for VVairau, who is undergoing'treatment at Helensville, following a breakdown in health, and the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. G. Gobbe), who is at present visiting Western Samoa.

It is understood that the greater part of this morning's proceedings was devoted to considering the case of certain members of the party who have offered open and at times very strong public criticism of the Government during the Parliamentary recess. After he had made clear, his. future attitude towards the party, declaring, as explained in another column, that henceforth he will be an Independent member in the 'House, with the reservation that he will at alhtimes assist the Government to give effect to its policy, as originally announced, Mr. H. E. Jenkins, member for Parnell, withdrew from the meeting.

Mr. .Jenkins considered that in view of his changed attitude towards the party, he should hot sit and listen, or take part in any way with the party's deliberations.

Another member, of the party who lias freely criticised the Government, both during the present recess and during the last session of Parliament was Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn). It is understood tl^at the latter part of this morning's proceedings of the caucus was occupied with discussion of Mr. Fletcher's attitude. ■ to the party. Mr. Fletcher, , accompanied by his benchmate in the House, Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo), left the meeting two or three- minutes before the luncheon adjournment.

The caucus is being continued this afternoon.