THE TAURANGA SEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 51, 1 March 1923, Page 5

THE TAURANGA SEAT.

EARLY 'ELECTION PROBABLE. POINTS ON THE EI.FCTION. Though one political party has already commenced active campaigning in the Taunuiga electorate ia anticipation of the pending by-election, and though it is generally believed that the election will take place next month, the Instructions which place the electoral machinery in action have not yet been given. The Legislature Act provides that where a. vacancy has heen brought about by death the Npettk_r shall issue the warrant to the Clerk of Writs forthwith, directing him to issue a writ, to supply the vacancy. This writ is then torwarde.d to the registrar of the district, in this ease Taurangn, nnd is returnable within 2H days. The registrar is thus given plenty of scope in which to fix the dale of the election, but he is required to give at least ton days' notice of it. I'sually the polling day is fixed about twenty days after the issue of the writ, and consequently, should the procedure of the Act be .strictly adhered the election can lie expected to take place during the present, month.

NOMINATION OV CANDIDATES. Several candidates have already an nounced themselves* as iispirants for Unseat. Ihe official Government candidate is Mr. ( . E. McMillan, though two other aspirants to fill the vacancy created by the death nf Sir William Herries under the Reform banner have heen mentioned. One is Mr. It. .1. Fames, and the oilier Mr. W. I) Admims, the latter having definitely announced himself. He gained some prominence nt the recent election when contesting the Manukiin seat by tiefact that he was one of the few candidates in the Dominion to forfeit his deposit, not having obtuim-d a quarter of the votes cast for his successful opponent. Mont interest centres in the probability of Sir Joseph Wnrd agnin entering the political arena. Sir Joseph, why is- at present in Auckland, had in tended taking his departure to Welling ton to-night; but owing tothe many calls upon hi_ time made by social and political friends, and the numerous appeals from Tauranga and throughout the Dominion that lie re-enter political life, he has found it necessary to postpone bis depai ture. ft is possible that he will remain in the North over the week-end, and will shortly make an announcement. The Labour party, too, is active, but. is nppar ently finding difficulty in choosing a suit able candidate, but. some announcement is likely in the near future. It. is apparent, however, that. should Sir Joseph announce himself as a candidate the light will be between himself and Mr. McMillan. SIR JOSEPH'S POSSIBLE ENTRY. INTERESTING PRESS KCGOERTIONM. (By Telegraph. -Special to "Htar.'i WKIJ.INOTON. this day. Discussing editorial] v the political outlook the 'Wellington Post" devotes the greater portion of a long leading article to possibilities involved in Sir | Joseph Ward's re-entry int.. polities. jfttrongly urginjf that he should contest. the Tauranga sont and declaring that, in view of the widespread regret that jhe did not content Wellington North, it. is to be hoped that, whatever personal or party considerations dictated. Sir Joseph Ward's decision on that occasion will not be allowed to operate now. The need for strengthening Parliament with the best talent and experience available is even more, obvious now than it, was three months ago.

After referring to the Government* position a- critical, the "Post" remark-

"Even those who would like to see Sir Joseph Ward treat Tauranga as be treated Wellington North will not deny that they ire awaiting the announce ment of his attitude to the Government with very interest. Except Mr. Massey himself, there is nobody in active politics who can compare with him in ability, experience and weight. If his three years' absence from Parliament may put difficulties in the way of Sir Joseph Ward's immediate resumption of the Liberal leadership it has only stimulated public, interest in bis opinion on the present political tangle. It should also have enhanced his competence to judge the matter fairly."

A parallel is drawn hetwepfi the Ward Government's position after the 1011 election (when it was saved by the casting vote of the Speaker) the "Post" pointing out that, if the Government now loses the Tauranga seat and one of those now awaiting decision of the Kler. tion Court. Mr. Massey's case would be worse than that, of Sir Joseph Ward in 1012. No casting vote could save him: he would go. right out. "If." asks the 'Post,' "Sir Joseph Ward comes out for Tauranga, will it be, in order to ou=t the Government and precipitate a dissolution, or will a chance !*• taken of making some working arrangement j which will avoid the risk of giving | Labour the seat through a splitting of | the anti-Labour vote and. at the -ame [time, citable the (.overnmenl to carry | on ':" ANOTHER LIBERAL CANDIDATE ' ! # i ,'Rt Teiej-raph '>*r. Correspondent p T.V'RANi.A. 'hi- da. . j Mr. Robert Kir,-. ••'. \•■ ,4 freely mentioned as n r „.s-:',ie candidate for t ~ Tanrang.i • ;••• cle -ion in the Liberal in •.-re-: Mr King has taken a protninen' par' in local government, and he con ;es-ed the seat nn a. farmer occasi-.n .again-' t:i* late Sir Wm. Hemes If. h.ovever. >sir Joseph Ward consents to .ones- the «•»• Mr. King will no rhvr.t support him. j LABOUR IN THE FIGHT. RESIDENT TO BE NOMINATED. <P.y Telegraph - <">wn Corrcspon I*n' MORRfNSVILLK, th'.s da ■- The labour party intend- to I'm'f-' t. c Tauranga seat. Mr \\. K. far- spear j ing at. Ilinuera. s a; d : 'V.c ar- going *'. j put up a not. tight in the '! au r 1 -.<m I electorate If we have •„ •■ .- •~| -axe ; every one r,f our -event.-en - if pirters :••■ the House to that , on-.t:'i.cri. v '.., h- ;. 11- win 'lie battle." The; we-e g-.-,:ig • . put up a. strong man, i.c .•:;-> .as a resident, and one aeli »i,.,-...'i and respected in 'he di-c.rir* App-arare-S point ••, 'he -ele'tion of