ELECTORS’ ASSOCIATION “OVER THE ODDS,” SAYS MR. SHEAT

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 November 1949, Page 4

ELECTORS’ ASSOCIATION “OVER THE ODDS,” SAYS MR. SHEAT

Objection to any outside group dictating to Parliament and the elected representatives of the people was taken by Mr. W. A. Sheat, National candidate for Patea, referring in the Gonville Town Hall last night to questions put to him by the Electors’ Association. association asked Mr. Sheat if he would undertake to carry out the will of the people as may be indicated as the result of referenda carried out from time to time, and to answer “yes” or “no.” He was also asked to state his reply in writing. Mr. Sheat said that the same questions were put to him during the 1946 election campaign and the reply on this occasion would be the same. He could not pledge himself to support in advance something that he knew nothing about. While he was always prepared to hear representations made on behalf of people in his electorate, it was undemocratic to ask for such a pledge in advance. He had also been asked to reply in writing, not on the public platform, and from the methods adopted it would appear that this association was going a little over the odds. If the people of the Patea electorate returned hyn to Parliament he would clearly have a mandate from them and no member of the House should be asked to bind himself to instructions received from outside Parliament. Such a course would involve the taking of continual referenda. The proposal made by the Electors’ Association was in conflict with the proper working of a representative Government and while members of the House could accept opinions, they could not accept instructions from outside groups or organisations. Today, there was strong objection to the extent to which pressure groups were dominating the Labour Government. “As I am opposed to tradp union pressure groups dominating Parliament, I cannot bind myself to accept instructions from any outside organisation,” Mr. Sheat added. ‘For the Electors’ Association to go further and ask for a pledge in advance to vote on instructions from outside Parliament conflicts with the princinles of a democratic Government..” Mr. Sheat’s remarks were applauded by an audience which filled the hall to overflowing.