THE BY-ELECTION

LABOUR CANDIDATE

MR. J. THORN MENTIONED

It is not likely that the name of the candidate who is to carry Labour's banner in the Lyttelton by-election i will be announced until Friday at the earliest. Speaking to a "Post" reporter today, the president of the New Zealand Labour Party (Mr. W. Nash, M.P.) stated that the vacancy caused by the death of Mrs. E. R. McCombs had not yet been gazetted, and until that was done it was felt that the name of thg Labour candidate should be withheld. Mr. Nash's attention was drawn to a Press Association message from Christchurch stating that Labour's selection would be Mr. James Thorn, the national secretary of the party, but Mr. Nash characterised the message as a piece of kite-flying. He stated definitely that no selection had been made. Mr. F. Langstone, M.P. for Waimarino, who will be in charge of the Labour campaign, was in Wellington today, and he is proceeding, immediately to Lyttelton, where he will probably remain throughout the election. The "Christchurch Star" of yesterday stated that while nothing is known definitely and no official statement has yet been made, the opinion is now growing that Mr. Thorn will be chosen as the party's candidate to contest the Lyttelton seat at the coming by-elec-tion. It is understood that his entry into the field has caused the delay in the proceedings at the meeting of the National Executive of the Labour Party, which it was expected would be able to announce the name of the candidate on Monday afternoon. It is stated that the Lyttelton branch of the Labour Party, which carries with it the strong support of the Alliance of Labour, at the last minute forwarded a sealed nomination for consideration by the National Executive; it is believed that the name sent forward was that of Mr. Thorn. The opinion is growing in Christchurch Labour circles that the selection of a candidate from outside the Canterbury district would overcome many of the difficulties that have been encountered in finding a suitable man for the position, and would weld the various branches within the electorate together giving the candidate undivided support.