URGED TO RETIRE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 309, 24 September 1943, Page 8

URGED TO RETIRE

Independent Group Candidates

“NO HOPE OF SUCCESS”

Au appeal to all Independent Group (Peoples’ Movement) candidates to withdraw from the election, was telegraphed by Mr, P. L. Brady, chairman of the AVellington North Branch of the Group yesterday. Air, Brady says he is now convinced that the Independent Group candidates have no hope of success, and that by vote splining tlmir candidature would help Io retain the Labour Government in office. He believes that the National Party’s policy is the best, for the country. He took this action in the interests of New Zealand and emphatically denied that he had acted as an agent, ot the National Party. The telegram reads as follows: — _ “As chairman of the AVellington North brunch of the Independent Group, I have concluded that the one certain result of 'the candidature of many Independent Group representatives next Saturday may be to cause vote-splitting and thus keep the present Government in office. It appears to me that many Independent Group candidates have no hope of success and can only confuse the issue iu electors minds. .Moreover, I believe that the doubts which some people entertained about, the policy of the National 1 arty and Air. Holland’s leadership have been completely dispelled by his. broadcasts and his address here last night. It is felt that, the policy of the National Party is a progressive one, and that under Air. Holland there will be a proper measure of freedom of judgment for National members. To save the people of our Dominion from further infiltration ou our individual and National freedom, I suggest that with due sense of responsibility, considering the vital issues at stake for New Zealand, and knowing that you have the welfare of your country at heart, vou should follow’ the fine example of Mr 11. S. S. Kyle, Independent Group candidate, who has withdrawn from the contest at liiccarton and withdraw. Group Officials Reply Describing Mr. Brady’s telegram as the most miserable thing he had seen in all his political experience, Air. A. B. Davy, organizer of the People’s Alovemcnt, which is sponsoring the Independent Group candidates, said last night that Air. Brady hud'no standing whatever, and his telegram was an attack upon decent men who desired only to serve their country. “I have ascertained from the secretary of the Independent Group, Air. A. P. Harper, that this telegram was never referred to him. I had previously noticed that Air. Brady had inserted an advertisement requesting the public to support Air. Alalcolm, and signing himself as chairman of Air. Alalcolm’s committee, but it was made clear to me that Air. Alalcolm did not have a political organization behind him and that Air. Brady had no standing whatever. He had acted purely as a private individual. “I do not know whether Air. Brady had this move in mind when he claimed an official position in his telegram, but the fact is that he has attempted to mislead the Independent Group candidates in a most brazen and barefaced manner.” “This is the worst attempt yet seen in the political life of this Dominion to stab a political movement in the back,” says a joint statement last night from Air. Rugby Alalcolm and Air. Clive Drummond. Independent Group candidates in AVellington. “There is no AVellington North Branch of the Independent Group and Air. Brady has no official standing whatever. He has acted as chairman for some of Air. Alalcolm’s meetings on a paid basis. “This attempt to mislead Independent candidates by claiming a standing which in fact he does not possess is bad enough, but. this is not the worst feature of Air. Brady’s actions. “Acting apparently as an agent for someone connected -with the National Barty, Air. Brady today approached us —the two Independent Group candidates in the AVellington area—with the most monstrous proposition imaginable. He wanted us to withdraw from the election, and asked Air. Alalcolm, whom he met first, to meet Air. Hislop, Air. Alalcolm’s National opponent, and then go down to meet Air, Holland, leader of the National Party. “Air. Alalcolm indignantly refused, saying that he had an obligation to fellow members of the group, intending supporters, and the people of New Zealand, and in no circumstances would he retire, particularly in favour of Air. Hislop. Alter Mr. Brady had been well dressed-down by Air. Alalcolm, he did not proceed furtlier with the request to Air. Drummond, who was then present. “Tile appointment with the National Leader and Air. Hislop was indignantly rejected. Air. Brady was later seen to meet Air. Hislop, however, and later again this despicable telegram was sent to outside candidates of the Independent Group. "It is obviously an attempt to mislead them into believing that someone with an. official standing in the Independent Group desires them to stand in favour of the National Party. Lhe whole telegram, in fact, is a blatant advertisement for the National I arty. AA'c see in this a deliberate attempt by the National Party to get the Independent candidates out of the election. It is downright trickery and deception, ne leave the worth of methods such as these to the electors.”

Mr. Brady Denies A negations

"Tbc insinuation that I acted as an agent for someone connected with the National Party is absolutely false, said Air P Brady when the above statements were referred to him. “I was satisfied after Mr. Drummond’s broadcast condemning the National Party that the .Independent Group was working in the interests of the Labour Party and my telegram was sent in the interests of the country. I was never approached on behalf of the National Party.” The campaign, said, Air. Brady, bad been a “flop” and, after talking of independence, the group made a broadcast which, it was obvious to him, was supported by the Labour Party. Furthermore. rehearsals were held of Air. Drummond’s broadcast speech, which, he understood. had been perused by officials “on the other side”; if it had not been approved it would never have been permitted to go over the air. He expected that, as Independents, the group would bare fought the party system, not any particular political organization. “I told them that they would have no chance at the election and that they would lose their deposits,” said Mr. Brady. “I advised them in their own interests to retire.” , , . Air. Brady said Air. Afalcolm had offered him payment, which he refused to accept. Mr/ Afalcolm had also offered him a position, which he declined. He had agreed to carry out publicity and organizing work for the candidate. “As far ns Air. Davy is concerned, I think everybody knows him,” commented Air. Brady. “I treat bis remarks with the contempt they deserve. The joint statement that I was well dressed down by Air. .Malcolm when I made the proposal that both candidates should retire is a piece of colossal humbug.”