REFORMERS SURPRISED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 22 August 1928, Page 10

REFORMERS SURPRISED.

MR. NOSWORTHY'S DECISION VOTE-SPUTTING FEARED. MR. JONES RESOLVED, TO STAND. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The announcement published yesterday that the Hon. W. Nosworthy had definitely decided to be a candidate for the mid-Canterbury seat at the coming general election, came as a complete surprise to Reform circles, and it is likely to lead to a number of interesting complications. It is understood that Mr. David Jones, M.P., whose electorate of Ellesmere has been incorporated in the new electorate of mid-Canterbury, is determined to contest the seat, despite the announcement of Mr. Nosworthy's intentions. It will require capable generalship on the part of the Reform executive to avoid vote-splitting.

The United party and the Labour party meanwhile are watching the difficulties of the Reformers with keen interest,

mingled with a certain amount of amusement. The United party, it is stated, has a candidate in view for the seat, but it is not prepared to make any announcement just yet. The Labour party has several aspirants for its nomination, but has not yet taken any action in the matter. The candidates already in the field for the seat are the Hon. G. W. Russell, formerly M.P. for Avon, who is standing as a straight-out Liberal, and Mr. H. M. Jones, of Ashburton, who is also standing as a Liberal.