MR O. SAMUEL'S CONVICTIONS

Press, Volume L, Issue 15017, 11 July 1914, Page 12

MR O. SAMUEL'S CONVICTIONS

(SPECIAI. TO "TH-B F-RE3S.") ! NEW PLYMOUTH, July 10. A deputation which waited on Mr O. Samuel from the Liberal and Labour League has at last -Wcured an answer to the rumours which have been busy of late to the effect'that that gentleman would be a candidate for the Taranaki seat ,in the Liberal interests at tho forthcoming elections. Mr Samuel stated definitely that he had no such intention, as ho would not allow himself to bo nominated as a candidate for a party, nor in fact take ,a seat iv a Houffe swayed by the influence of party politics.- "I am," he said, "utterly opposed to the present system of party government. I would not, without serious diseo'mfort to myself, vote against.my convictions as to what Avas best for the interests of the country. Under the present system of things one has frequently to sacrifice what one believes to bo in the best interests of tho people for the sake of tho party to which, one.belongs. 1 experienced that during ,two Parliaments in, which 1 represented this district, and ii retired from the, House of Representatives to which I liad every reason to believe 1 should be returned unopposed, because I found the position' intolerable, being compelled so often- to vote against my own convictions in the "interests of the party to which I was for the time being attached." Mr Samuel concluded by making clear to the deputation that he Avas making no charge against the present member for the district or against the Government or Opposition, but merely, expressing his" disapproval of iho party --y.-.tem.