UNITED PARTY’S CAUCUS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 906, 25 February 1930, Page 8

UNITED PARTY’S CAUCUS

MR. DAW CONTINUES HIS ATTACK

A VOLLEY OF QUESTIONS Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. “The organisation and the party now calling themselves 'United' are sailing under false colours, and, haT. ing apparently stamped out the orig. inal movement and its spirit success, fully, the only honest thing they can do is to declare their policy openly and select a corresponding name.'' said Mr. A. E. Davy, former chairman of the Dominion executive of the United New Zealand Political Organ! sation, in the course of a statement last evening. “It seems that I have aroused the Hon. G. W. Forbes. Acting-Leader cf the United Party.” continued Mr. Davy, referring to the- Minister's reply to the criticism of the business at the caucus on Friday. “His reply, as it must necessarily be. is studiously evasive, consisting in the main of reflections on myself. His explanation that the men called to the meeting were the recognised heads’ of the organisation is most illuminating, and explains a good deal to me. “Apart from Mr. Forbes and his paid position, there are a number of really important points that arise. __ First, the gentle rubbing between Mr. Forbes and Mr. R. W. Hawke, M.P.. needs some elucidating. Who is telling the truth? There can be no misapprehension on the part of Mr. Hawke, as his statement was most definite. I say without fear of contradiction that almost the whole time of the caucus was occupied with frank criticism of the leader, the acting-leader, the Cabinet and its policy, on the part of certain members, and with pleading on the other side. How can this be construed as 'harmonious ? “Possibly Mr. Forbes can 'explain' the following matters: “If the meeting decided on such drastic changes as are hinted, why was not a properly constituted conference of the organisation called, with duly-elected delegates? "Further, if the past organisation scheme was so bad and unsatisfactory, whv was it sanctioned by Cabinet's own group on the Dominion executive? . . “Whv is it that in the reports and statements to the Press, the organisers of the organisation state that there was an undercurrent of intrigue and. unrest, which apparently emanfrom the Cabinet Ministers them- - 6" Did the caucus avoid discussing policy matters or current problems for fear of it arriving at any decisions distasteful to the Prime Minister? “In point of fact, why was it called at all? The acquiescence of the ‘recognised heads’ was certain, so why the pretence?”

“TAMMANYISM”

NEW CHARGE AGAINST MR. A. E. DAVY

INDIGNANT HASTINGS Press Association HASTINGS, Today. The secretary of the Hastings branch of the United Political Party has sent the following letter to Mr. A. E. Davy: “In reply to your circular asking our branch for an opinion as the attitude vou have adopted in regard to the United Party, I have been instructed to write as follow: —‘Members of this branch are unanimously of the opinion that to do as you suggest, namely to set up and establish a body responsible neither to the electors nor to Parliament and thus to define the policy of the country, is Tammanyism and not to be thought of under the British flag. By acting as yoq have done you have proved your own total unfittedness for the position you occupied. We cordially approve of the action of the Dominion Executive in severing its connection with you, and have every confidence in Sir Joseph Ward and his present Cabinet to administer successfully the affairs of the country.’ ”