NO DOMINATION BY CAUCUS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25768, 1 April 1949, Page 6

NO DOMINATION BY CAUCUS

DENIAL BY NATIONAL PARTY

STATEMENT BY MR K. J. HOLYOAKE

(P.A.) MASTERTON, March 31. “Sir Gilbert Campion is incorrect in attributing to the National Party also methods of caucus domination Which are practised by the Labour Party,” said the Acting-Leader of the Opposition (Mr K. J. Holyoake) today, commenting on observations made by Sir Gilbert Campion, the former Clerk of the House of Commons, in New Zealand. “The Labour Party admits to its caucus not only members of the Legislative Council but also, it is understood, representatives of the party organisation. On the other hand, the National Party caucus retains, and will continue to retain, its traditional character as a private gathering of members, to which no outsider is ever admitted.

“The freedom of our members to speak and vote in the House as they • think proper remains, irrespective of 'caucus discussions and decisions. Our members are expected to subscribe to the election policy of the party, which they themselves have helped to formulate and in which they concur. They are also expected to vote with the narty on a no-confidence motion, but in many matters beyond the confines of policy they have complete freedom to vote as they think proper. There are many instances on record where that privilege has been exercised.”