Political favour for candidate denied
The Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs (Mr Comber) has denied that there were any political considerations behind the issuing of citizenship to a National Party candidate.
Mr Comber signed the authority for citizenship for the National candidate for Dunedin Central, Dr M. B. Ablett, in the absence of the Minister (Mr Highet). The Labour Party’s attempt to make political capital was predictable, Mr Comber said yesterday. “The Minister or rayself have authority to ask for citizenship applications to be processed speedily in special
circumstances and this was such a case,” he said. Dr Ablett fulfilled all the requirements necessary for a Commonwealth citizen to qualify for New Zealand citizenship. “It is certainly not unprecedented for anyone to get his citizenship in less than three months as is asserted by Mr McLean of the Dunedin Labour Party,” Mr Comber said. There were numerous precedents over the years.
“As long as National is the Government, future Parliamentary candidates of whatever persuasion will be accorded similar treatment if the need arises,” Mr Comber said.
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Press, 4 November 1978, Page 6
Word Count
175Political favour for candidate denied Press, 4 November 1978, Page 6
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