UNITED DISUNITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 871, 15 January 1930, Page 11

UNITED DISUNITY

W HAT THE papers say POLITICAL CRISIS ANALYSED * Although editorial opinion on the political crisis expressed in newspapers of the Dominion is not agreed on the wisdom or otherwise Of Mr. A. E. Davy’s denunc ation of the United Party, which he organised, the majority 0 f the papers emphasised one _ o in* —that the party is in the plight of disunity. Representative opinions are drawn from the following Southern newspapers:—■ ••The Dominion,” Wellington: "The United Party may well be left to settle Its squabbles In its own way. jt would, indeed, be difficult to add anything to the indictment of the United Government that has proceeded out of the mouth of Mr. Davy. “One point has emerged, however, that is of national rather than factional concern. It is that the United Party organisation is completely independent of Cabinet, according to Mr. Davy's statement published this morning. This statement if correct, goes to show that the United Party Is organised on the lines of vliat are known as machine polities in the United States. There the politicians have to truckle 10 tho party bosses' or organisers and, l.arring the case of exceptionally strong men. toko their orders from and are responsible to the bosses. The British system Is that Cabinet is responsible to Parliament and, through Parliament, to the electorate That is a much more healthy system, especially as Cabinet is also found at the head of the party organisation. ... It is unpleasant to realise that the Uniteds have apparently introduced sume semblance of the machine system into New Zealand polities, hitherto free of the dictation of 'bosses.' It may be only the thin end of the wedge, but it should be removed before the stout timber of our constitution is riven.” The ‘‘Otago Daily Times,” Dunedin: Mr. Davy has been the victim of en enforced repression. The improvement that Is reported in the Prime Minister's health, however, and particularly the New Year messages which the Prime Minister has issued to the people of ti e Dominion, have released Mr. Davy, as he says, from an irksome silence. Ho is disappointed and perturbed. He, too, has noticed the collapse of tho noble castles so lately reared on the basis of the United Party's promises and pledges. . . A great deal of Mr. Davy’s criticism'on the subject is, of course, perfectly sound. . . . The suggestion for a party fusion is by no means novel, and it might have been advantageously adopted long ago. The desired fusion might certainly have been brought about years ago hut for political jealousies and the unwillingness of individuals to sink their personal ambitions. What the prospects for a fusion may be at the present time is a matter of uncertainty, seeing that the position has not been explored. But it will be rather pathetic should the dramatic S.O.S. signal from the chairman of tho executive of tho United Party elicit nothing in the way of response.” .Tbs "Wanaanui Chronicle”: “Mr. Davy's decision to speak the truth that is in him does him no discredit. Ho joined and inspired the United Party, but it was a body without a head. They accepted Sir Joseph Ward as the leader, since when the party has ceased to exist, and Sir Joseph Ward has been Prime Minister and corrector of Cabinet Ministers ever *inec. That the present administration is a one-man Government cannot he denied. "Whether Mr. Davy is wise in making si public statement on tho subject, however, is another proposition. On this Mr. Davy must be considered to he the best judge of his own conduct. There has been a re-shufClo of portfolios lately, the advantages of which are not apparent to the public. No attempt has yet been made to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Wilford s resignation, and there are other indications of a general uneasiness. Mr Davy s statement makes conclusive what everybody has realised in a general way.” Th« “Evening Post,” Wellington:

‘The Interview given by Mr. Davy, chairman of the executive of the United Tarty, will set people talking. It will also bring to a head the trouble between Mr. Davy and the political heads •u the party. But we doubt whether S. W 1 achieve anything more. Mr. ITavy, seeding to make a new political party, seems to have followed the GilPcrt.an recipe for a Heavy Dragoon: Take of these elements all that is fusible, Melt them all down in a pipkin or crucible, Set then to simmer and take off the scum, Ard a Heavy Dragoon is the residuum! This may be successful in comic opera, hut tis not usually a method prouuctive of the best results in politics. * or the foregoing reason we canhot commend entirely Mr. Davy’s outcomment. It will be vastly entertaining to opponents of the United Tarty, who will recall with great glee "hat. Mr. Davy said of the party and the party said of Mr. Davy. The time has now come when the ■berorm and United pcirties should consider whither they are drifting; and xv " a * the effect of their drift may be ° n public opinion. .V United-Labour

rapprochement is unlikely, but a permanent estrangement of Reform and nited may be feared. With the two moderate parties at loggerheads, the formation a strong moderate Government becomes increasingly difficult, butour would certainly profit from such continued and unreasonable dissension.”

Tho Christchurch Star: ‘Apparently Mr. Davy got his* say **? first, but that fact will be greatly discounted by Sir Joseph Ward’s statem? Clt i that Mr - Davy’s position as a salaried official of the party was under serious consideration, and a decision th matter was pending. Evidently has been a serious disagreement between Mr. Davy and the United f'arty, and i>eople may be pardoned lor considering that the tail has been trying to wag the dog. This is a tninjr that can never be permitted in Liberalism. Here is a man, Mr. :r av Y- who, whether he expected to run jJJ* u ° untry or not * has Quit© frankly i 1 himself up as a superior authority th. Joseph Ward. His complaint Sir Joseph Ward is autocratic increfore becomes laughable.” After enumerating sundry points on which it considers the United Ministry . us fulfilled its pre-election promises, be “Stur” proceeds:—**lt will be seen, here fore, that on this important point which may or may not be me cause of the United Party’s dissatisfaction with Mr. Davy, the merits j tae case are all on the side of Sir \!S e y? Ward and his Ministers, and -jr. Davy must pass into the political „ as one who has taken himself a little too seriously.'’