Liberal Reiterates ‘No Candidates’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31018, 25 March 1966, Page 1

Liberal Reiterates ‘No Candidates’

(New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, March 24. A statement describing his position as secretarytreasurer of the Liberal Party was issued by Mr C. S. Emeny, of Stratford, tonight.

He said he was elected to the position at the party’s conference at Wellington in August, 1963, and there had not since been any national meeting to elect new officers.

“1 have maintained communication throughout the country ever since,” he said. “My authority for the statement at Invercargill that we would not be putting up candidates comes from consultations with those liberals who organise and contested the last election.

“They will not be putting up candidates for 1966, for the very reason stated —that it would merely confuse issues of this election. “We feel that in 1963 we achieved our objective of compelling the major parties to

concentrate on the financial and production principles instead of on election bribes.

“This present crisis is moving towards grave proportions. We feel that the way should be left clear for both Labour and National to prove how they can solve the difficulty. “From my consultations I know few, if any, of the groups and people who organised the 1963 Liberal campaign and stood for election will be available for 1966. We felt it was only right that the many supporters should be informed of this. “There is a remote possibility that a few people may stand under the Liberal banner and these people will be more like independents, having little contact with the last election’s Liberals. “Their policy will be quite different and their objectives are quite unknown to us at this time.”