Nomination Withdrawn “For Personal Reasons”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31086, 15 June 1966, Page 3

Nomination Withdrawn “For Personal Reasons”

(New Zealand Press Association) NAPIER, June 14. Mr J. G. Edwards, who has been the Labour member of Parliament for the last 12 years, will not stand at the next General Election “for personal reasons and as a matter of conscience”.

Mr Edwards, who had accepted nomination for the seat for a fifth term on February 1, is a son-in-law of the former Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nordmeyer).

Mr Edwards announced his decision to the Napier Labour Representation Committee last night. “I later informed Mr N. V. Douglas, president of the Labour Party, of my decision,” Mr Edwards said. “Having made the announcement, I am now looking for a job,” he said. The president of the Napier L.R.C., Mr C. Colwill, said today that Mr Edwards had told the executive his decision was made on personal grounds. “This was respected by the executive and no questions were asked,” said Mr Colwill. Mr Edwards’s decision had come as a surprise, he said, but the party was “in the happy position of having, as members, several who would make excellent candidates and who would hold the seat with dignity and with the respect of the electors.”

> Mr Colwill said the “normal • mechanism” would now be t used to find another candidate for the seat: the party’s head . office would give authority for ; nominations to ba called. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) and Mr Doug- ■ las both expressed surprise - today at the decision of Mr Edwards. “I have had no word from ■ Mr Edwards,” Mr Kirk said. I “All I know about it is what > I read in the statement which has been issued. • “I wouldn't have any other ; comment to make at this time. “It comes as a surprise to I me, particularly since I, as . national president before Mr ■ Douglas, announced his en- ; dorsement as a candidate for I the Napier seat.” I He was “very, very suri prised” by the announcement : and that “was putting it mildly,” said Mr Douglas.

He said he had arrived home at midnight last night to find a message saying Mr Edwards had rung, and had. told the executive of his retirement.

Mr Douglas telephoned Mr Edwards early today. He said Mr Edwards told him he was not offering himself as a candidate “for personal reasons and as a matter of conscience,” but declined to elaborate.

Mr Douglas said he would discuss the matter with Mr Edwards tomorrow. Mr Edwards has leave to be absent from today’s sitting of the House to attend a meeting. The Napier electorate of the National Party is still in th j process of selecting its candidate for the seat. Nominations close on June 24 and the National candidate will be announced on July 14.

The chairman of the National Party’s electorate committee (Mr R. V. Foster) said Mr Edwards’s step was “not unexpected.”