Labour candidates to declare interests

Press, 30 July 1986, Page 1

Labour candidates to declare interests

Labour’s local body candidates will declare their property and company Interests before October’s local body elections. The promise was made last evening by the Labour Mayoral candidate and election team leader, Cr Alex Clark. Cr. Clark said that comments and innuendos had been made in the past that people stood for the council out of personal interest. The interests of Labour candidates would be given in a statement to the news media. The Government was considering legislation to

require such disclosures by members of Parliament, Cr Clark said. “It is something that should be done, so we will do it,” he said. The party challenged the local body opposition to do the same. The Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, has questioned Cr Clark’s motives for raising the question of property holdings. Sir Hamish said he was not aware that property and company interests were an issue in local body politics. They were not relevant. Even so, Citizens’ Association candidates

would consider the proposal, he said. "I cannot speak for every candidate who is offering himself or herself for the Citizens’ Association,” he said..“ But I.am sure they have got nothing to hide — and if he (Cr Clark) is imputing some motive to further our own property interests, I think it is just a scurrilous comment, with no substance. “If that is how he thinks he will wage his campaign, the sooner he gives up, the better.” Mayoralty bid, page 9