PARNELL SEAT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 209, 2 August 1935, Page 2

PARNELL SEAT

SIR A. lIERDMAN A CANDIDATE. OPPOSED TO GOVERNMENT. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 1. Acceptance of nomination for the Parnell seat at tho coming general election was to-day made by Sir Alexander Herdman, who yesterday retired from the Supreme Court Bench. Upwards of 160 electors waited upon Sir Alexander as a deputation. In the course of his reply Sir Alexander said he was definitely, opposed to the policy of the Labour Party. Neither its doctrines nor its actions had ever appealed to 'him. He was sure, however, that there were thousands of thoughtful and-hard-working men in the community who saw as clearly as he did that Communism and Socialism led in the end to unhappiness and disaster. Continuing, Sir Alexander said: “Next you will ask me: ‘But what about the political party controlled by Messrs Forbes and Coates?’ To that question my answer is that I shall do my utmost to remove these gentlemen from office as speedily as possible. As men I hold them both in high respect, but in these days personal likes must be subordinated to the interests of New Zealand.

“My reasons for opposing tho administration of Mr Forbes I snail make known in detail on another occasion. In the meantime I need say no more than this, that while 1 believe that Messrs Forbes and Coates have in the performance of their public duties been animated by the highest motives they have, in my judgment, committed errors which have resulted in serious harm being done to New Zealand. “Indeed, I know of no Government which, in the history or this Dominion, has done more to shatter public confidence, which Iras done more to upset tried* and long-established commercial practice, and which has done more to arouse feelings of unrest, bitterness and injustice than the Government of which these gentlemen are the leaders.”

lii accepting the invitation to stand for Parnell, Sir Alexander Herdman said: “I am perfectly free. If a hand of men shall arise lidding views on public questions similar to those held bv me we can act in concert. If no such hand arises I shall carry on the fight alone. <; I live in hopes that as a result of the coming election the clouds which hang over New Zealand at present will lift and that the weight which is crushing and disheartening this little country will be removed. lam hoping that the way will be opened up for a liberal investment of capital for the development of our natural industries, for activity in trade, and for a greater demand for labour. If this can be achieved happiness will soon follow.” The meeting closed with cheers for the candidate and steps were immediately taken to form election committees.