CAMPAIGN OPENED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 281, 10 March 1941, Page 5

CAMPAIGN OPENED

AN INDEPENDENT VIEWPOINT MR C. H. BURNETT'S POLICY Mr C. H. Burnett, Independent candidate for the Tauranga Electorate, opened his campaign when life addressed well attended meet-

ing at Pongakawa on Wednesdaylast. Mr Burnett, in opening his address stated that as a result of invitations lie had decided to contest the seat as an Independent, free from all political parties and pledges. This decision had involved his resignation from the Labour Party. "I do not know," he said, "if I am bound in view of my constitutional rights, to make any apology for doing so, but if reasons are wanted here are some of them': (1) My strong objection to the Party system of government. (2) My concern at the continual encroachment on the constitutional rights of the people. (3) The indifference of the Government to- the urgency of a closer land settlement policy. (4) The failure of the Government to progressively impliment its monetary policy. (5) The neglect of the Government to protect and preserve "sterling" resulting in import restrictions that were as unnecessary as they have been harassing. (6) The importance of more seriously grappling with the farm labour problem. Mr Burnett continued to enlarge on his reasons and these arguments will no doubt be heard from a Whakatane platform in due course. Later Mr Burnett carried on to further explain his Independent attitude stating: "I refuse to be further tied to a Party Machine. If I go back to Parliament—and I believe I will—l will be free to think for myself, speak for myself and, vote for myself. If I cannot do this, I prefer not to go back. lam in this fxglit to sustain principles in our political life and I will exercise an Independent vote in the best interests of the Dominion and its people, and ihis electorate in particular.

"The party machine demands that a member advocates or defends something that he is honestly posed to and which reduces him to the status oi, a political "Marionette" or political Automaton; his individuality goes and he becomes a cog in this wretched party machine. The imposition of the parliamentary and party closure finally divests him of his representative rights to freely express and voice his views in Pailiament. I believe you will at the next election use your vote to help to hurl this stupid system out and give me the opportunity to build an Independent personnel in the neAV House that will once and for all place parliament above party control.

"Can any valid reason be advanced why our Parliament should not act in the same way as a City or County Council ? Of course not. This wicked party system must go, and go quickly, if we desire to get a sane representative Government."