NEW POLITICAL PARTY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29844, 9 June 1962, Page 14

NEW POLITICAL PARTY

Establishment Not Favoured

While making it plain that they were dissatisfied with the political record of both main parties, speakers at the annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the Constitutional Society last month argued that the launching of any third (or fourth) political party was not a function of the Constitutional Society, which was a non-party organisation and should remain so. says an article in the society's journal. “Liberator'* The meeting was considering a remit moved by Mr W E. Christie, of Matira South Auckland, that the society take a postal ballot of members to ascertain whether they were in favour of the society forming a new poltical party , “He said that bo’h main parties were so coloured by their past actions that there was little prospect of either providing the sort of government that was desired.” the report adds "It appeared. therefore, that the only solution lay with the formation of a new party. "Mr J. N. Wilson, QC„ said he was in favour of a postal ballot being taken to test the feeling of members, but he would not like the society to form a political party

"He felt that the usefulness of the society lay in its ability to criticise any existing party without fear or

favour through remaining clear of party politics.”

Mr Christie’s remit was lost by 60 votes to five, says the article.