POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1930, Page 3

POLITICAL.

UNITED PARTY ORGANISER

MR DAVEY DISGRUNTLED

(By Telegraph--Per Press Association.)

AUCLAND, Jan. 12,

Interviewed in Auckland to-day, Mr A. li. Davey (Chairman of the Executive of the United Party), said that he was extremely dissatisfied. “For some time,’' he said, “I have had misgivings that' we ar© heading for national disaster, owing to the failure of the Government tb grapple With the problem's confronting it.' Through the press, the people have been in-' formed 1 that’Sir Joseph Ward is oil the right road to recovery, and this" together with the ' ofitifnistic New Year message, attributed to the Leader of the Party, have released ifie from an irksome silence. Th'6, United organisation was primarly formed with definite aims and objects, which I am satisfied are basically sound. Candidates elected to represent the party pledged themselves to support thfti, but Sir Joseph Ward decreed them, but Sir Joseph Ward decreed otherwise. I say, Sir Joseph Ward advisedly, because, unquestionably, he made it, until his health failed, a one-man party, with a thoroughly cowed Cabinet acquiescing meekly in everything suggested by him, .and completely ignoring the rank and file. The Party has ceased to function as a party. The organisation has been restive and dissatisfied for some time. Errors of ommission and commission can be rectified, but The position

created will shortly throw this conn-' try into the arms of the Socialistic Labour Party, unless drastic action is taken. There is one way to avoid it, .arid that is by reducing the present party system to two Parties—the non-class or anti-Soria listi 9 Party, and the Socialistic Labour Party. I fim firmly convinced that many members of'tlje present Government and of the official Opposition would welcome such' a move. I believe a majority of Itftej organisations behind these Parties would work to bring it about;, and that the hulk of the electors’ Would stand behind them.”