Will Leave House To Get A Job

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31087, 16 June 1966, Page 3

Will Leave House To Get A Job

(New Zealand Press Association) NAPIER, June 15. Mr J. G. Edwards, M.P. for Napier, may not continue in Parliament until the end of the present session. He said today that he had applied for a job and would resign from Parliament during the current session if it meant securing employment.

Mr Edwards told the Napier Labour Representation Committee that he was withdrawing as the party’s candidate at the General Election "for personal reasons and as a matter of conscience.” He said today he would not be drawn into explaining what he meant by “a matter of conscience.” “I have some strong views and it was these views which forced me to withdraw my name,” he said. Asked whether the decision had been brought about by something which had happened recently, Mr Edwards said: "It has been building up for some time. Lots of things have come into the timing of the announcement.” “I was well aware that I

had not discussed the matter with Mr Kirk. I had discussed it with my family. "I realise that I have probably committed political suicide.” He said he agreed that aa far as his career was concerned, the last 12 years had gone for nothing. "But it has been a valuable experience." He described his withdrawal as a “five-day storm.” He did not agree that Napier was a marginal seat. “I did not think it was marginal myself and I am still confident that I would have retained it.”

Mr Edwards last night was re-elected chairman of the Napier High School’s board of governors. He was unopposed.