THE UNITED PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1929, Page 2

THE UNITED PARTY

NOT ONE-MAN AFFAIR. WORK OF CONSOLIDATION PROCEEDING APACE. CHRISTCHURCH, May 21. ■" Sir Joseph Ward is not the alpha and omega of the United Party. He is, true, a statesman, and, more than that, a financial genius, but to the United Party ho represents a good skipper of a mighty good team. The United Cabinet is a mighty good team, and the work accomplished since last year is the joint work of thirteen men, not df one man.” These words were used by Mr A. E. Davy, chairman of the executive of the United Party, yesterday, in his first public statement since the elections. This was his first visit to Christchurch since the elections. Mr Davy expresses himself as satisfied with the 'work of the party to date. “Many prophecies are being made as to the life of the United Party,” he said. “I am sure that those made by the members of the opposition will be as accurate as those made prior to the elections. The Socialist Labour Party was at its wits end after the elections to make some excuse Ifor its defeat as the Opposition party. All its excuses will not explain why it ran last in a three-party race.” Asked whether he considered that the present Parliament would last for the usual term, Mr Davy said he considered it would, for the reason that the legislation to be introduced would be so directly in the interests of the Dominion that the Opposition parties would not dare to vote against it. “Further.” said Mr Davy, “both Mr Coates and Mr Holland know full well that if an appeal is made to the country during the next three years the United Party will at once get the absolute majority which will come its way at the end of the three years in any case. I think that the Opposition is also aware of the dangers which lie in wait for it iif it is tempted to obstruct the legislation which the Government intends to introduce to deal with those problems which cry for attention, and which should have received the attention of the Reform Government.

“A MIGHTY GOOD TEAM.” .K ’ t “ Ihave .noticed- with some amusement the efforts of ’the Reform and Labour Parties, and some of the journals connected with those parties, to create the impression that Sir Joseph Ward is the whole of the United Party and that ’iif it had not been for him the party would not have succeeded at the polls. The reason for this attempt is quite, obyjons—it is an attempt to place Sir Joseph Ward -in the same position that Mr Coates occupies in the Reform Party, to make it appear that the party owns a head and nothing else. These statements are both unfair and inaccurate; unfair to Sir Joseph Ward, as he has always placed country first, party second, and self last. The United Cabinet is a mighty good team, and the work accomplished since the extraordinary i session of 1928 fs the joint work of thirteen men, not the work of one man.” There were in the rank and file of the United Party outstanding men well qualified to occupy the post ,of Cabinet Minister, so that the party would not' dwindle as the Reform Party had done.

“It is interesting to read the reason advanced for the defeat of both the Reform and Labour Parties,” continued Mr Davy, “and I am not going to insult the intelligence of the electors of New Zealand by suggesting that this came about through the unpopularity of' Air Coates and the Reform Party, the fear of what would happen if Mr Holland and his Socialist Labour Party came into power, or to the fact that Sir Joseph Ward led the United Party. In my opinion, the change was brought about because there was a party, composed of .outstanding men, presenting a good policy and having a good leader. I am convinced that the intelligent electors of the Dominion summed up the issue for themselves and voted for the best party offeiing.

CONSOLIDATION WORK. “The consolidation of our organisation is proceeding apace. Mr O. A. 31 oiler, who did such excellent work for the party in the Au#kland province is now Dominion organiser, and, judging bv the success that has already attended his efforts, he is displaying the same energy and enthusiasm that have characterised his work in other campaigns. At present, he is engaged in establishing a divisional executive in the centre of the North Island. This executive meets in New Plymouth on Thursday night, when an organiser will be appointed. 3lr H. Baulf, Mr 3.1,1 oiler’s lieutenant in the Auckland nrovince, has been promoted to the position of provincial organiser and work in his territory is well in hand. Air Wing, provincial organiser for the southern division of the South Island is also busy extending and consolidating the organisation in his area. Two more organisers are to be appointed for the South Island and one more ifor the North Island, making a total oi six, exclusive of Air Moller. • •The Dominion Executive of the United Party is determined to leave no stone unturned, as far as organisation is concerned, and lrom the way things are going at present T have no fears lor the future.. I do not think it would he a wise move on the part e the Opposition parties to throw the country into another general elect-on. but if it is forced upon us we shall he ready to meet any emergency.