UNITED ORGANISER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 607, 8 March 1929, Page 16

UNITED ORGANISER

FAREWELL TO MR. 0. A. MOLLER WORK FOR THE PARTY “Mr. Moller has been the main cause of the power and strength which has been brought to this party in Auckland at the present day/* said Mr. J. Trevithick, who presided at the farewell afternoon tea given yesterday in honour of Mr. O. A. Moller. Mr. Moller is to leave shortly for Wellington, where he will take up the work of Dominion organiser of the United Party. Tie lias been the Auckland provincial organiser since the formation of the executive here. Mr. Trevithick has been connected with him intimately, as chairman of the executive, and expressed regret at losing such a capable organiser. Apologies were received for the absence of the Hon. J. B. Donald, and Mr. A. E. Davy, late Dominion organiser for the party. The Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, Minister of Health, formally proposed the toast to the guest of honour. Mr. Harry Baulf, provincial secretary, said that at times when others of the organisation had despaired, Mr. Moller had “stuck to the ship,” and it was that spirit which had won for him his present position. Mr. J. S. Fletcher, M.P. for Grey Lynn, spoke of the position of the United Party to-day. “Since the Uniteds have the greatest policy in the Dominion, there has been talk of fusion. The party does not want fusion. It wants a combination of the best men in the House.” “In parting with Mr. Moller there can be no regret, and no sorrow,” said Mr. G. C. Munns, United Party member for Roskill. “He is going to a sphere of greater influence, and for greater good.” Others who eulogised their guest were Mr. Ebenezer Allen, the United candidate for the Hauraki seat at the last election, and the United candidate for Waitemata, Mr. R. H. Greville. The Hon. A. J. Stallworthy said their party had accomplished something unprecedented. Any man who dared to say that the thing was “bluffed” over the Dominion had yet to begin his politican education. Mr. H. R. Jenkins, M.P. for Parnell, presented the guest of honour with an inscribed fountain pen and pencil. “I have the time, the wish and the political urge to work until the .United Party is in the majority,” Mr. Moller said, “and that. I think, will be in a short time. Forget our success. I appeal to you not to be lulled by that. Until we are in the majority in the House we have not reached our goal. In Sir Joseph Ward you will get a square deal. Sir Joseph is not raising .any more money in New Zealand than the Reform Party did; but the Uniteds are raising it .for a purpose.”