INDEPENDENT GROUP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 September 1943, Page 3

INDEPENDENT GROUP

BROADCAST ON BEHALF OF ALL MEMBERS • DENUNCIATION OF SECRET CAUCUSES. AND OUTSIDE DOMINATION OF PARLIAMENT. (By Telegraph—Pi-ess Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The statement that the Independent group represented a new principle in political life and that its candidates were pledged to no organisation but only to the electors was made by Flying Officer Clive Drummond (Independent Political Group candidate for Wellington West), in a studio broadcast on behalf of all members of the "group from Wellington last night. He claimed that because the group’s candidates were free of the shackles of party discipline, creeds and prejudices they had found that there was an infinitely higher common bond between them. Their basic plank was honest common sense backed by a desire to get on with the job. He promised that if the group’s candidates were elected they could form a more sound and stable Government than the Dominion had ever known. There would be no determination of legislation in secret caucuses outside of Parliament. Measures to be decided by Parliament should be introduced to and debated by Parliament only. Members of Parliament should be free to determine whether the measure was right or wrong or whether it should be amended. They should not be bound by pledges to party organisations which had no constitutional place in the country’s system of Government. Parliament would concentrate on one thing only—and that was to do the right thing and to do it with the least waste of time. The people no doubt had listened in to broadcasts of Parliamentary debates. Did they think that preferable to the system the group candidates proposed? By far the greater part of Parliameht’s time was taken up by downright party electioneering, futile party arguments, muck-raking and by sickening displays of political irresponsibility. Did the people think that,was the way in which the affairs of tire country should be run? Yet that was what the party system of politics meant. MEASURES ON THEIR MERITS. ‘We set ourselves against all this,” continued Flying Officer Drummond. “We want to see fewer members of Parliament and more business done. We want to see measures debated on their merits and not according to party divisions. We’ want to see Parliament as an institution of the people. We want to bring it new life, and we believe that the principle we have put forward—a Parliament independent of the control of outside organisations is in itself a vital election issue for the people of this country.” The party system was to blame for most of the people’s troubles. It was io blame because it meant government with an eye to the demands of a money or power-hungry few who wielded all the influence. It meant extravagant promises, and that the people were constantly being tricked and deceived. It meant that many people had come to accept the idea that it was possible to get something for nothing—that by the mere passing of an Act of Parliament production would be increased, salaries raised, and standards of living improved, and that people would receive more for less effort. That was a cruel an<# wicked deception, and yet it was the favourite bait of the parties at election time. The truth was that no progress could be achieved without effort, though it might be assisted by more efficient organisation and planning. The Independent Group believed that a higher standard of living meant first, security—freedom from economic anxiety and fear. It meant next the provision of all the necessities of life for oneself'’and one’s dependents, together with reasonable comforts and amenities It meant also a way .of .life which was Christian—a happy life, with effort which was not oppressive and opportunity for advancement always open.