PARNELL SEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 216, 12 September 1935, Page 8

PARNELL SEAT.

SIR A. HERDMAN.

RETIREMENT RUMOURED

NO STATEMENT MADE.

A persistent rumour that Sir Alex finder Hcrdnian will not contest tin I'arnell seat at the coming genera election has been circulated in Auckland

The matter was referred this morning to Sir Alexander, who declined to make any statement.

Up to the present five candidates fir the Parnell seat have been announced namely, Mr. W. P. Kndean, M.P. (Gov eminent), Sir Alexander Hcrdman (lude pendent), Mr. If. W. Woodruffe (hide pendent), Mr. P. C. Jordan (Liberal) and Mr. A. fi. Osborne (Labour).

Sir Alexander retired" from the Supreme Court Bench on July 31 last, and on the following day he met a large deputation at the Chamber of Commerce. In accepting nomination for the Parnell seat he said that he was definitely opposed to the Labour party because its doctrines had never been approved by him. He said that he was aleo opposed to the administration of Mr. Forbes. Jle believed that Mr. Forbes and Mr. Coatee in the performance of their public duties had been animated by the highest motives, but that they had, in his judgment, committed errors which had resulted in serious harm to New Zealand.

Sir Alexander asked why should the electors seek refuge from the militant creed of Labour by sheltering behind the erratic and unsettling habits of Messrs. Forbes and Coates when there might be offered as an alternative proposals for the government of New Zealand which would not be revolutionary, but, on the contrary, sound and wise.

Sir Alexander concluded by saying

"I have said all that I need say at present. lam perfectly free, ff a band of men shall arise holding views on public questions similar to those held by me we can act in concert. ]f no fiueh band arises I shall carry on the tight alone. I live in hopes that, as a result of the coming election, the clouds which hang over New Zealand at present will lift and that the weight which is crushing and disheartening this little country will he removed. I am hoping that a way will be opened up for the liberal investment of capital, for the development of our natural industries, for activity in trade, and for a greater demand for labour. If this can be achieved happin&ss will soon follow."