SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 631, 31 December 1913, Page 5

SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

ELECTION PROGRAMME. Christcburch, Tuesday. Considerable curiosity exists locally concerning the intentions of the Social Democratic party in respect to the general election?. As far as can be ascertained from the leader of thu party in Christchurch, the party's political policv at the next election will be controlled by the watchword; "Get Massey out at any cost." The party will put a candidate in the field only in those electorates wnere there is a strong chance of success. In Cbristchurch district, Lyttelton, Christchurch South, Christchurch East and Riccarton will certainly be contested, and there is a strong probability that there will be a social democratic candidate out for Ellesmere. If a Liberal candidate with view? likely to capture the working class vote should take the field in Ashbarton. the S'ocial Democrats will not put forward a candidate. The party, however, meditates conducting an educational campaign throughout the South Island, and they estimate the work done in this direction will be of. direct assistance to the Liberal party in retaining and winning country seats. The party will en*er into no agreement or alliance with the Liberal party, explicit or understood, hut its efforts will perforce be exerted in the Liberal interests. In those electorates where no social democratic candidate is put forward, the leaders suggeet that the task of securing the votes of the party's members for Liberal candidates would be made easier if the Liberal party would reciprocate by not contesting those electorates in which the seat is already held by the Labour party's nominee.