PARLIAMENT AND PLEDGES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 8 October 1928, Page 9

PARLIAMENT AND PLEDGES.

(To the Editor. Sir, —la your leading article some days ago you had something to say in reference to the people extracting pledges from members of Parliament, fs it not a. significant fact that very little has been said or written on this question until this last Parliament? Is the reason far to seek ? Possibly it is on account of the splendid organised appeal of the New Zealand Alliance in securing sufficient members pledged to their platform. How well I remember my' experience while representing Patea electorate in Parliament. There is an organisation that for many elections has been heard of with the triennial cryv It was called the Sports Protection Society, whose parents or promoters were related to the Trade, i'll rough their secretary* a list of questions- was sent to me seeking my written pledge. Then on another occasion a meeting of those responsible for the Jockey Clubs in Taranaki was called in flawera. What for?' To secure pledges from all the members of Parliament in Taranaki to support a measure 4 increasing the facilities for races. All this talk about the prohibitionist doing wrong in securing written pledges is illogical and absurd. Surely' the people have the right to know the views of those seeking Parliamentary honours oil such questions as freehold, leasehold, dairy control, J3ible-in-sehools, prohibition. It is possible for a member to have a short, memory as to his promises given on the' eve of an election. A written pledge certainly prevents some . who would go back on their promises. Did not one at least in last Parliament express' his regret that he had given a written promise? The liquor trade for years lias given their trade the first consideration in selecting candidates. They were more concerned about him being a 'vet or a dry than lleiorm, Liberal, or Labour. We all know good, sound business men of outstanding character and ability who always have the trade oppose them. The prohibitionists have awakened to the absurdity of voting no-license with one vote and casting the other for a member opposed to the reform. When prohibition is carried by the vote of the people we must have men in Parliament of sterling character who will see that the law is enforced. —I am, etc. E. DIXON.