UNITED PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1930, Page 2

UNITED PARTY

MR DAVY’S FALL. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Jan. 30. A prominent local member of the United Party, in conversation with a “Daily Times’ 1 reporter to-day, threw some light on the recent trouble in the ranks of the party. Tie stated that the dismissal of Mr Davy was due to a squabble in Wellington. None of the local branches had been consulted in the matter, and they had received no communication as far as he knew, since Mr Davy’s services had been dispensed with. The local Executive of the Party had not held a meeting to consider the matter, but lie knew that among members there was a certain amount of sympathy with Mr Davy, though it was considered that he should not have made his criticism of the Party available for publication. From the remarks of the Dunedin members it was plainly indicated that the meeting at which, Mr Davy was dismissed was by no means representative of the Party as a whole. He stated that all the Executives had been clamouring for a meeting of delegates which should elect a Dominion Executive. There was a Dominion Executive at present, but it had been self-appoint-ed at the time when the party had been formed. 'lt was composed of representatives of the centres, and about seven other members outside Wdjlington '.had not been invited when the meeting had been held to eject Mr Davy from office. There was no doubt that the meeting was not entitled to dismiss Mr Davy, but as the Party was not properly constituted. he could obtain no redress from the courts. He said some m,ambers considered, that as the whole of the members' contributed to Mr Davy’s salary, they should have a voice in the question of whether he was dismissed or not. The action had been taken by Wellington alone, and the trouble seemed to he den to a certain extent to a difference between the men who wanted to be at the head of the organisation. It is understood that Mr Davy was in receipt of a salary of '£lsoo a year. The Dunedin member was asked whether he knew anything regarding a rumour that there was a split in the Party. He replied that he had heard a murmur. He added that, so far as Dunedin was concerned at least, there was no sign of a split.