Independents Urge Removal Of Outside Dictation Of Parliament

Northern Advocate, 24 September 1943, Page 6

Independents Urge Removal Of Outside Dictation Of Parliament

(P.A.) ’ WELLINGTON. This Day. “G’n behalf of my colleagues in the Independent Group, I urge electors everywhere to support Independent candidates,” said Flying-Oificer Drummond, in a final # message to electors.

“There are sufficient Independents of the right type standing to form a Government with a substantial majority—a Government pledged only to serve the people, free of outside dictation, and one in which members would introduce and freely debate measures purely on their worth.

“How necessary and urgent this has become can be seen from the following pledges which are signed by party candidates:—Labour Party Pledge: 'I faithfully uphold and wholeheartedly work for the objective and platform of the party, and no other, in accordance with decisions which may from time to time be made pursuant to this constitution.’ National Party Pledge: ‘I declare I will abide by the rules and constitution of the New Zealand National Party, and that I will be loyal to its organisation and chosen leader.’

Party Pledges

“There is no difference between those pledges. Members of both the Labour and National parties are inescapably tied by these pledges and their party constitutions to obey the dictates of organisations outside Parliament. That is why these organisations pour out tens, and even hundreds of thousands of pounds to publicise and support their parties. “They want this control for their own selfish purposes—to grab money and power and to smash opposing interests. They accordingly carried their party warfare into everything, embroiling all the people, with the result that we had poverty, social and economic injustices, industrial unrest and fear ,and a constant struggle between costs and income. “Good government is impossible under party rule, as practised in this country We urge you to smash this system. We urge you to vote for your own freedom by supporting all Independent candidates. We ask all electors to roll up their sleeves and help us get on with the job—for New Zealand and for New Zealanders, and not for secret interests or party bosses. Reconstruction Plans “Our national reconstruction plan is complete in all details, including the methods of finance. Our policy for stabilising living standards, our determination to set things right in this country by the adoption of commonsense measures, our plans for a co-operative effort towards progress, are the only genuine measures of practical worth now before the electors. . “We made no promises—we presented a plan complete in every detail. It has been worked out by committees of exnerienced men all over the Dominion. We urge all electors to Kelp us remove outside control of Parliament. We ask for your support for all Independent candidates.”