INDEPENDENT GROUP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 219, 16 September 1943, Page 3

INDEPENDENT GROUP

SPOKESMAN CRITICISED BY NATIONAL LEADER (Special) Wellington, Sept. 15. “The Independent Group is apparently unable to get audiences for its candidates, so Flying-Officer Drummond had to deliver his attack on the National Party from the shelter of a broadcasting studio,” said Mr Alex Gordon, president of the National Party, to-day. He said it was a peculiar thing that the spokesman for the so-called Independent Group, which was the political creation of Mr. A. D. Davy, was the only candidate who had been accorded the privilege of speaking from the tranquil atmosphere of the broadcasting studio, and since 75 per cent, of the speech consisted of a bitter and highly personal attack on the National Party it was reasonable to ask whether the Minister of Broadcasting, who must have approved of the arrangement, knew of the subject matter beforehand. “I cannot deal with all of Mr Drummond’s flights of fancy.” said Mr. Gordon, “but his charge that the National Party organisation dictates the policy and actions of members of Parliament is a ridiculous falsehood, and in fairness to the thousands of National Party members throughout the country I cannot allow it to pass unchallenged. Mr. Drummond was apparently quoting from an old rule book which has long been superseded, but even so his interpretations are absolutely inaccurate. Our policy committee consists of three representatives of the Members of Parliament and three representatives of the organisation, presided over by the leader, who has the casting vote. This committee has authority to draft and finalise the policy, but no policy suggestions submitted by the organisation are incorporated in the policy until they have been examined and approved by the Parliamentary Party. “Mr. Drummond complains that the National Party’s policy would result in loading on to the serviceman a staggering burden of taxes. This comes well from a source which has improved on its previous election bait of a £70,000.000 loan and has now steeped its bid up to £100,000,000 to spend in one year after the war. He charges the National Party with conspiring with the Government to monopolise the broadcasts. This is wholly untrue. The arrangements made are solely the responsibility of the Government and Mr. Holland did not accept them without protest. “Finally, he alleges that Mr. Rolland’s meeting at Christchurch, from which he made his impressive and inspiring broadcast, was packed by means of tickets. Every meeting addressed by Mr. Holland is a public meeting, publicly advertised, and no tickets have been issued. It seems a pity Mr. Drummond did not follow this example instead of sheltering in a broadcasting studio to make malicious and inaccurate charges. These charges appear to combine the familiar radio technique of Clive Drummond with the equally familiar political technique of Mr. A. E. Davy. The latter gentleman, however, prudently re-, mains in the background,” said Mr. Gordon.