POLITICS AND POVERTY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 21 May 1925, Page 6

POLITICS AND POVERTY

MEMBER FOR RICCARTON TO

RETIRE.

(.11l TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCiIURCH, 20th May.' Why. has Mr. G. Witty, member for Riccarton, decided to retire after the coming session and not seek re-election? He was asked that question by a reporter to-night, ■ •'■' My reasons," he replied. " Old age and poverty are the two chief reasons." . To au exclamation of incredulity irom the interviewer, Mr. Witty said that in a fortnight's time he would be in his seventies. Out of fifty years' sojourn in this country he had been engaged in public service for 45 years, 23 years as a member of Parliament. Ho "had also held many important positions on various local governing authorities, and was proud to be able-to-reflect that never during his public career had he ever known a defeat when he came before the electors. " What about the poverty?" questioned the reporter.

" Had I remained out of the House," Mr. Witty replied, " I would have been far better, off in point of possessions than I am to-day, but- I have this satisfaction, that while I have lost personally the people I served have gained the benefit." " But you have other reasons?" "Yes; my family, are now away, and my wife is alone, and it is time I had a little bit of ease and rest, for hitherto I have been going all the time for others. Another reason is that I will not feel the same interest in the House now that Mr. Massey has gone. It was always a pleasure to meet him and tojiavc anything to do with him." "Now that you are in a-position of detachment, what do you think of the political situation?" "The only thing I can see for the safety of the country is that the two parties, Reform.and Liberal, must come together and form one national party, and that for the good of the country personal ambitions must be put aside. The parties must sink theif differences and personal ambitions. Only that will save the country. If that is not done, all I can see is chaos ahead, and this country is too good to be ruined by the ambitions of a few. . It is unfortunately generally the case that the' most ambitious and pushful men are the least canable." ' . 1