M.P. FOR RICCARTON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 235, 5 October 1942, Page 5

M.P. FOR RICCARTON

RETIREMENT FROM PARTY AVOIDANCE OF EXPULSION (P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. "There has never been any question of my standing. I have always intended to contest the next Riccarton election, either as a National party candidate or an an Independent," said Mr. H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., commenting on a statement by the chairman of the Canterbury division of the National party, Mr. T. N. Gibbs. "The announcement by Mr. Kyle that he is now an Independent satisfactorily settles the question of his standing, which has been in doubt for some time," said Mr. Gibbs.

"The National party organisation has built up a watertight compartment that makes one become a 'Yes man,' with expulsion as the alternative," added Mr. Kyle. "As far as I am concerned, I voted against the resolution in the National party caucus that the six National Ministers should retire from the War Administration. Having done that, there is no other honourable attitude for me to accept. Hence my announcement that I would contest the next election as an Independent. I thought it much better to retire from the party than to place the onus of expulsion on it. "Surely the National party realises the dangerous position the country f ac? s .i at the present time," added Mr. Kyle. "is it not more serious to-day that it was three months ago, when the gentlemen now retiring from the War Administration thought fit, as a war effort to join the Adiministration." '