United Party Split

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 904, 22 February 1930, Page 8

United Party Split

Special to THE SUIT,

Sir Joseph Ward “The record of the Government to date Is, in my opinion, a highly creditable one and shows an earnest, and, I think, successful endeavour to give effect to the policy of the election .platform of 1928. “I may mention briefly the putting of the public finances into order, the pulling up of the large volume of arrears in the State Advances Department and providing the necessary funds for an active policy in this direction for settlers and workers, making provision by legislation for closer settlement, which is now in operation, and the practical handling of unemployment.” Mr. H. R. Jenkins

Mr. H. R. Jenkins has announced that henceforth he will be regarded in the House of Representatives as an Independent member “until such time as a fresh party can be formed embracing the best elements of the United and Reform parties, and possibly a few Labour members, which will bring the House back to a twoparty system and avoid the country drifting to Socialism/* Referring to the Prime Minister’s health, Mr. Jenkins asks: “How can a sick man do justice to the many portfolios which Sir Joseph Ward holds? The responsibility of Minister of Finance alone requires that he should be a very fit and able man. The raising of money at per cent, in New Zealand is sufficient indication to me either that he is not conversant with the position and the results which must ensue, or that he Is too sick to attend to his duties.” “I feel that the Government has not followed the land settlement policy laid down by members of the party prior to the general election. They have devoted too much time to capital expenditure and the purchase of large estates and not sufficient time to the bringing in of unproductive Crown lands. They have proceeded with a railway policy which is totally unpopular throughout the country and they are attempting to absorb unemployed labour on those works instead of using it in connection with the break -

FOUR VIEWPOINTS

WELLINGTON, Friday. IN view of the split in the United Party, the following opinions of its work, from the Leader of the party, two insurgent members of it, and an Independent, are interesting :

ing in of the undeveloped Crown lands. “I am not desirous of expediting an election, for I feel that the position would not be very materially altered one way or the other. I am of opinion that the three-party system has failed and I am hopeful that, through my attitude, the Reform and United Party members will be brought together.”

Mr. J. S. Fletcher Mr. Fletcher, member for Grey Lynn, who also left the United Party caucus, said his attitude was fully supported by all the committees in his electorate. He was particularly supported in his stand regarding unemployment. His reasons for his attitude were based on the failure of the Minister of Lands to put the party’s land programme into operation and disapproval of the continued purchase of large estates at high prices, and the control of affairs by officials instead of by Ministers. He also objected to the Government’s policy in Samoa. Mr. Fletcher added that the handling of the unemployment problem was the greatest cause of dissatisfaction. He proposed to make a comprehensive statement within a few days, giving his views on the question. An Independent View Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, Independent member for Egmont, says: “I am frankly in opposition to the Government on many questions, particularly in regard to its railway construction policy. Railways are not what they used to be. The South Island Main Trunk line now being pushed forward will, in my opinion, be a disastrous proposition. “The present United Party policy in Samoa is strictly the policy of the Reform Party, and there is evidently a great deal too much militarism, both passive and active. Military men, in my opinion, should not be appointed as administrators in Samoa.”

The only proper and sensible method of taxation was to tax profits according to seal© when these profits were actually made and determined. “My view is that the land and all producing activities should be kept as free as possible from direct taxation,” said Mr. Wilkinson