LEAVING POLITICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 143, 21 May 1925, Page 5

LEAVING POLITICS.

MR GEORGE WITTY’S REASONS.

Per Press Association

CHRISTCHURCH, May 20. ’Why has Mr George Witty, member for Riccarton, decided to retire after the coming session and not seek reelection ? He was asked that question by a reporte:: to-night. “My reasons?” lie replied. ‘Old age and poverty are the two chief reasons.” To an exclamation of incredulity from the interviewer, Mr Witty said in a fortnight’s time he would be in his: seventies. He added that out of fifty years’ sojourn in this country, be had been engaged in the public service for 45 years, 23 years as a member of Parliament. He had also hehl 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 Housr I would have been fur bfetter 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 is now away, 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 jVir Massey has gone. It, was always a pleasure to meet him and to have anything to do with him.” “Nov? that, you are in a position of detachment, what do you think of the nolitical situation?”

“The only thing I can see for the safely of the country is that the twrn parties, Reform and Liberal, must come together and form a National Party, and that for the good of the country personal ambitions must be put aside. The parties must sink their differences and personal ambitions. Only that will save the country. If that be not done, all I can see is chaos ahead and this xmntry is too good to be ruined by tie ambitions of a few. It is unfortunately generally the case that the most ambitious and pushful men are the least capable.”