MR WITTY RETIRES.

Shannon News, 22 May 1925, Page 1

MR WITTY RETIRES.

NEVER BEATEN IN AN ELECTION. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Niglit Why has Mr Geo. Witty, member for Ricearton, decided to retire after the coming session and not seek reelection? He was asked that question by a reporter to-night. “My reasons, ” he replied and poverty are the two chief reasons,” to an exclamation of incredulity from the interviewer, Air Witty said in a fortnight’s tithe he would be in his seventies. He added that out of fifty years sojourn in this country, he had been engaged in the public service for 45 years, 23 years as ,a member of Parliament. He haa also: held many important positions on various local governing authorities and was proud to be able to reflect that never.during his public career had he ever , knojvn a defeat when he came before the electors.

“What about the poverty?” questioned the reporter. “Had I remained out of the House I would have been far better off in point of possessions than l am to-day, but I have this satisfaction that while I have lost personally the people I served have gained the benefit.” “But you have other reasons?”

‘‘Yes, my family is now away, my wife is alone, and it is time I had a little bit of ease and rest, for hitherto I have been going all the time foiv ethers. Another reason is that I will not feel the same interest in the House iioav that Mr Massey has gone. It',was always a pleasure to meet him and to have anything to do with him.” ‘‘Now that you are in a position of detachment, what do you think of the political sitaution ”

‘‘The only thing I can see for the safety of the country is that the two parties, Reform and Liberal, must come together and form one National Party ,and that for the good of the country personal ambitions must be put aside. The parties must sink their differences and personal ambitions. Only that will save the country. If that be not done, all I can see is chaos ahead and this country is too good to be ruined by the ambition of a few. It is unfortunately generally the case that the most ambitious and pushful men are the least capable.”