CAUCUS RULE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18162, 26 April 1921, Page 7

CAUCUS RULE

labour party and recall. THE CANDIDATE’S PLEDGE. Labour candidates for seats on the Christchurch City Council have been called on to sign a pledge that they will resign from the council if called on to do so by the Labour Party, and will also agree to abide by the decision of the Labour caucus. The party’s platform was sent to each nominee before his selection as a candidate, and attached to it were the following conditions:— Every candidate, before selection, shall sign a pledge to support and endeavour to carrv out the platform, and also to resign from council if called on to do so by the Labour Party. That caucus meeting of Labour councillors be held fortnightly, and all candidates, if elected’ pledge themselves to atend, and in all cases, abide by decision of the caucus majority, on procedure to be adopted in giving effect to platform. rhe signature of the nominee to this document was invited. The nominees were also asked what they understood by the objective of the Labour Party, and what was its attitude towards capitalism, imperialism and militarism, also to outline their scheme of a municipal Labour platform, criticising the present platform, and suggesting amendments. These questions were regarded as a necessary examination of candidates before selection, stated MiGreen, secretary of the local Labour Representation Committee recently, lively political party was obliged to do something of the kind, in order to test the genuineness of its candidates. Every nominee, with the exception of Mr. R. D. Martin, answered the questions. The replies were read before a meeting open to members of an . afli-; Hated branch or party, and a; wed 1 by about 100 people. Those present were invited to mark their preferences on ballot papers. By means of this ballot the candidates were elected. „ "You will see,” said Mr. Green, that the candidate is responsible to the party, and not merely to the Labour Repiiesentation Committee as has been alleged.” ‘‘And how is the party’s objective defined? Mr. Green was asked. By their platform, and at annual I conferences. Great care is taken to j see that at these conferences the I views of affiliated bodies are actually represented.” "What is the party’s attitude toward capitalism, militarism and Im- ■ perialism?” "Antagonism.” "How do you regard the rumour .hat there is a split in the party ” It does not exist. Several anonynous allegations have been made.” Mr. Green added that practically 10 objection to the platform sent to lominees was disclosed in their reilies. A lot of improvements were uggested. With one exception, -very nominee understood what the bjectice of the party was.