PARNELL BY-ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1930, Page 9

PARNELL BY-ELECTION.

ARRANGING CAMPAIGNS. PRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGE. "RETAIN SEAT FOR GOVERNMENT." Of the parties concerned in the Parnell by-election, Labour has so far showr. most activity. Preliminary meetings have been held already in various parts of the electorate, and this evening Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., will be the speaker at St. Mary's Hall, Parnell Road. Mr. T. Bloodworth, who will carry Labour's banner, is expected to open his campaign on Tuesday next. In all probability, Mr. W. A. Donald, the official United* candidate, will also make his initial speech on Tuesday evening, as organisation by the party is well in hand. Reform will be the last in the field, for not till next Thursday will the official candidate be chosen at a conference to be held in the Remuera Library Hall. Mr. Donald's "Splendid Qualifications." The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, is pleased with the selection of the United party's candidate. This fact was intimated in a telegram received from Sir Joseph at a meeting of friends and supporters of Mr. Donald held at St. Mark's Hall, Remuera, last evening. The communication, which was read by the chairman, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, to an attendance of about 200, stated: — <- I sincerely trust that the meeting to-night will be a most successful one. The party is indeed fortunate in having secured the services of the candidate with such snlendid qualifications, from the point of view of both personality and ability, as Mr. Donald possesses, and I feel sure nothing will be wanting on his part to secure victory at the poll. It only remains for our good friends and supporters to work wholeheartedly in the candidate's interest, and I know there is no need for me to make a special nnneal to them in this connection. They did yeoman service at the last general election; and I am confident that they will again put the same vigour and pnihusiasm into their efforts to place Mr. Donald at the head of .the poll and retain the seat for the Government." Sir Joseph Congratulated. - Addresses were given at the meeting by the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. J. B. Donald, and Mr. G. Munns, M.P., for Roskill. Mr. W. A. Donald received an enthusiastic reception when he spoke briefly. Further deliberations were largely confined to discussion of general organisation, and the outlining of the plan of campaign. At the suggestion of Dr. R. M. Beattie, seconded by Mr. F. H. Burbush, it was decided to congratulate Sir Joseph W T ard on the progress of his restoration to health, and to affirm unswerving loyalty to him as Leader of the United party. Congratulation? were also extended to the Parnell electors and the executive of the United partv on the selection of Mr. Donald as candidate.