QUESTIONS TO PANEL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28958, 28 July 1959, Page 14

QUESTIONS TO PANEL

C.M.T., Capital Punishment (New Zealana Press Association) DUNEDIN, July 27. Questions on a wide variety of subjects were put to a panel of speakers at the annual conference of the New Zealand National Party this morning. The panel comprised the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holyoake), his deputy (Mr J. R Marshall) and the former Minister of Finance (Mr J T Watts). Questions and answers included:— Q; Will the National Party restore compulsory military training? A (Mr Holyoake): If we find, as we believe, that the voluntary system will not work, we will reintroduce C.M.T. Q: Has the party any intention of placing Maori votes on a common basis with Europeans? Maori candidates could then stand for any electorate?

A (Mr Holyoake): No. Q: Is the party in favour of capital punishment? A (Mr Marshall): This is a moral issue. National members of Parliament have the right to a free vote on such issues. But the National Party as a whole supports capital punishment for the worst forms of murder. Q: Does the panel consider that the present proportion of total taxation being used for social security—about half—is too great? A (Mr Holyoake): Yes Q: What are the views of the panel of a lengthened term of Parliament. A (Mr Holyoake): My private opinion favours a five-year term. The party policy, however, has no intention of recommending this at present.