PARTY OR COUNTRY?

Mr. H. D. Bennett, tho Independent candidate for tho Ilutt seat, made the following statement to-day:—

"I have been asked to give a general idea of my attitude towards the other political parties. Briefly, lam standing in the interests of the country rather than of party There is ouly one big political subject before the people of New Zealand, and that is whether or not we are going to hand over' tho country to Socialism by a minority vote. Both the United and th v Reform parlies seem to be too mucfc engaged in domestic quarrels and in their anxiety to play that game forget about the bigger issue. If the people continue to fool with politics like we have been, we will awake some morning to find the country in the grip of Socialism on a minority vote.

"I am not under any delusion, and know that with three anti-socialists standing I will be helping tho others to bring about just that which I desire to avoid. I contend, however, that neither Reform nor United (in the absence of the ex-member) could win the seat in a three-corner contest. It is going to take all Our time to win the Hutt seat with the strongest of the three. My keynote is to preach the futility of .holding Socialism and the Labour movement as a minor force, and, as one free to act between the two main parties, it seems to me to be the duty of the electors-to give a gesture to those parties at this election by disregarding their nominated candidates. Another political mix up is not far distant. Labour does not want office by a minority vote. We should- test the Hutt by a straight vote. United will not give way to Reform, and Reform will not give was to United, but both might give way to an Independent. I will do all I can to make the issue a straight one between two candidates."