Personal View Against Referendum Plank

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31224, 23 November 1966, Page 22

Personal View Against Referendum Plank

I Any change in the licensing (laws should be by legislation 'and not by referendum, said Mr I. G. B. Wilson, the National Party candidate for the Riccarton electorate at a meeting in the Methodist Hall, Springs road, last evening. Eight persons attended. Mr Wilson was asked why a referendum on the licensing laws was part of the National Party platform. He was told the Government was elected to govern and not hold referendums. “We consider that when a problem is of the greatest importance, the people themselves should decide,” he said. “My personal view is that change should be by legislation. I am not in favour of holding a referendum but it is National Party policy to do so and my views don’t count” Mr Wilson had an unsupported vote of no-confidence in himself as a candidate for the electorate moved against him.

“I will move a vote of noconfidence in you Mr Wilson,” said one member of the audience when Mr Wilson asked for questions. “Last election you promised to give me some information. You have never given it—you don’t keep your promises.” “Your argument is a personal matter and not political,” said Mr Wilson. “It is not suitable to this occasion and I am not going to listen to you. “National Party policy is one which tends to build New Zealand,” said Mr Wilson. “In the next 34 years our population will double and to look forward to our national development we mus* borrow. “Riccarton cannot properly develop as a residential area with three major road outlets and a railway line serving the rest of the South Island running through the middle. We must plan now to reorganise Riccarton and the rest of the city. We must plan for main access routes away from the residential areas.”