LYTTELTON SEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 184, 7 August 1933, Page 8

LYTTELTON SEAT.

BY-ELECTION FIGHT.

MRS. McCOMBS FOR LABOUR?

DECISION THIS WEEK.

The possibility of Mrs. Elizabeth R. McCombs being selected as a candidate for the Lyttelton seat, which was held by her husband, the late Mr. J. McCombs, is being discussed in Christ-

church

I Labour supporters arc very anxious [that Mrs. McCombs should go to the Ipoll, even though she might herself be unable to bear the full burden of the campaign (says the "Press"). They believe that she has tho bc*t chance of retaining the seat which her husband held for so many years. Tlicy feel, too, that she should be given tho opportunity, which now presents itself, of being the first woman member of Parliament in New Zealand.

If Mrs. McCombs is unable to accept this responsibility, the choice may fall 011 Mr. J. Iv. Archer, former Mayor of Christchurch, who is now living in the electorate and who would be a valuable addition to the Labour ranks in the House of Representatives. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, said that the nomination would not be considered until this week, and that it was a matter for the national executive of the party in consultation with the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee.

ilr. F. W. Freeman, who at the last general election, in December, 1931, secured only 32 votes less than Mr. McCombs, lias announced himself as a candidate, "a supporter of the Coalition party, unpledged on any question." A strenuous campaign is anticipated, for both the Labour party and the coalition are expected to give earnest attention to a by-election at such a critical stage in the country's affairs. The Lyttelton electorate will make a peculiarly interesting testing ground, for twice in recent years Labour has gone very near to losing the seat. It is' officially stated that the New Zealand Legion'lias at present no intention of taking part in the election as an organisation. This will be- the third by-election to have been held during the life of the present Parliament. The first by-election was made necessary by the death of the member for Southern Maori, Mr. T. Makitanara, who was succeeded in Parliament by Mr. E. T. Tirikatene, who supports the Labour party. The second by-election took place during the session last year, when the death occurred of Mr. G. C. Black (Motueka). After a very hard campaign between the Coalition and the Labour parties, in which both members of Parliament and Ministers of the Crown took part, Mr. Iv. J. Ilolyoake,' the Coalition candidate, was returned.