STATEMENT BY SIR JOHN FINDLAY

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 48, 24 February 1917, Page 9

STATEMENT BY SIR JOHN FINDLAY

Sir John Findlay reached Hastings on Thursday. Within a few minutes.of his arrival, reports the Tribuno, Sir John informally addressed "a representative gathering at the. Grand Hotel, leading members of all the principal parties being present. They heard with, approval his declaration: "I am going to fight this campaign on strictly nonparty National lines." As a practical endorsement of this attitude, a number of leading Keform workers were joined wi£h Liberals on Sir John's committee, tin's organisation, blending those who, before the war, were political opponents, will conduct the campaign, the Liberal League ceasing to actively concern itself in the matter.

In the course, of a subsequent statement, Sir John Findlay said:—"When I .withdrew my consent to nomination last week it was because I felt at that time that my expectations regarding a choice upon national grounds were not going to be realised.' I have since been amply satisfied that this view was wrong, and a crowning proof of this was given me this morning on my arrival m Hastings. T was met by so large and influential a gathering of men, belonging to the three great political parties, who enthusiastically united to promote my return, that I am now absolutely convinced that the great bulk of the electors of Hawkes Bay will welcome my candidature and regard-it as a national one. I made It clear to those who do not agree with mo in party politics that my candidature would involve the surrender of none of my political principles, but that I recognised the co-operation of all parties at this juncture demanded the suspension of party warfare and party propaganda, so that all might .wholeheartedly unite in promoting that policy, and in devising and providing those means which will enable the Empire to emerge triumphantly from- its present life and death straggle. There is a clamant'need for the best thought, care, and skill the .Dominion possesses in framing war legislation, which will secure a substantial equality of sacrifice on the part of all classes, and adequate and suitable provision for those who are fighting for us and for those dependent on them; and the amplest security against want, ". for those who return maimed'or disabled from the fields of war. AH this involves the most careful ■ consideration of measures for providing men., and equipping them. It further involves difficult problems of war and post-war finance, of land settlement for returned soldiers, and of finding other suitable occupation for them. It also involves a-scientific consideration of that urgent and perplexing problem,.the cost of living, of the nationalisation, during war, of essential public services, anJ of many other difficult exigencies which this world struggle'is creating. It is to help in all/this work that I respectfully offer.my services to the Hawkes Bay electorate, and it is because I offer them in the spirit I indicated that my candidature has already received such a widespread, united, and. enthusiastic support. Over twenty committees have already been formed upon which influential members of all political parties have consented to act, and I am satisfied that, if my candidature proceeds upon the lines I have mentioned, lifted entirely away from party strife and personal recriminations of any kind, I will have the honour to represent the electors of Hawkes Bay."