Leaders’ Replies For “Liberator”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30289, 15 November 1963, Page 14

Leaders’ Replies For “Liberator”

Last month the Constitutional Society invited the Leaders of the Labour, Liberal. National, and Social Credit parties to outline for publication in the journal “Liberator” the reactions of their parties to the society's aims and objects, which embrace opportunities for free competitive enterprise, constitutional reform. and stability in the purchasing power of earnings, savings and pensions, says a statement from the society.

The latest issue of "Liberator’’ contains the replies from three of the party leaders. The leader of the Labour Party, Mr Nordrneyer, advised that he had drafted a statement but was unable to forward it in time for publication. The Constitutional Society’s statement says: ‘.The president of the Liberal Party (Mr W. E. Christie) writes that the society seems well equipped to be a private enterprise ombudsman. He applauds the society’s desire to hold the real value of money as stable as possible. His party also supports the aim of the society to secure a written constitution and a second chamber of Parliament, with the reservation that the latter must be free of the defects of the former Legislative Council.

“The Prime Minister iJlr Hcdyoake) says his Government is in broad agreement with the society's aims and objects, and claims that in its term of office the Government has already done much to restore individual and economic freedom and reduce taxation. Stability in buying power has been carefully guarded. Opinions Differ “Opinions within the National Party differ on the question of a second chamber and the general view is that it should not be attempted until there is significant public support. He argues that Parliament could not bind its successors in a written constitution and he does not see much point for it in unitary New Zealand. "The secretary of the Social Credit League (Mr O. R. Marks) says his league does not take issue with any of the society’s aims. The league is, however, concerned with carrying out those aims. It considers that other political organisations have gained office on a similar platform, but have felt no real desire or obligation to implement it. The present two-party control is pushing the country further and further into socialism Labour headed into it- while National slid into it backwards. Social Credits answer is a private and free enterprise society operating a modern and sound monetary system."