PARTY NOT STANDING

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33873, 19 June 1975, Page 18

PARTY NOT STANDING

(N.Z. Press Association > WELLINGTON, June 18. The Liberal Reform Party will not contest this year’s General Election. The party’s leader. Mr C. S. Emeny, said in a statement tonight that the party would remain in existence, but was standing aside this year because of the Government’s plans to reduce the voting age and greatly increase the number of seats.

If the Government’s plans 'were carried out, the election might be the last for a i long time in which any opposition party could have a chance of becoming the Government by democratic means, the statement said. j “Many liberal reformers ! fee] that such a drastic (change in our political system, coupled with a massive transfer of economic resources and nower to the [State, and the dominating power of modern trade unions in New Zealand, will al! combine to effectively establish a one-party Socialist Government over New Zealand for many years to [come,” Mr Emeny said. “The Liberal Reform Party urges all minority parties to face up to this political crisis, and co-operate to defend future democracy for all New Zealanders.”

Soccer.—.Mr G. Thoma* 'Otago, has been apoolnted assistant manager for the X'ew Zealand soccer trip to South-East Asia ; at the end of the season He beat 11 other candidates for (the job.