TO BE CONTESTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 102, 3 May 1939, Page 13

TO BE CONTESTED.

CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH SEAT. POSSIBLE CANDIDATES. (Cy Telegraph.—Press Association.) C'HRISTCHUKCH, Tuesday. The first ti*t of members of the Labour party in Christchiuch Soiilh as to whom they consider t<> be the most, suitable person to bo •riven the party's nomination for the vacant scat was made to-night, when a nicotinic of the branch decided to support the nomination of Miss Mabel Howard, a daughter of the late member. Mr. E. J. Howard. The holding of the meeting as a prelude to discussions to-morrow night with the national secretary, the Hon. l>. Wilson, M.L.C., at a meeting convened by the North Canterbury Labour Representation .Committee and al*o at a meeting of the committee on Thursday night, was not generally known, and no official statement was obtainable. Indeed, precautions were taken to prevent any disclosure of the discussions at the meeting and of the vote of members. It is reported, however, that in addition to the name of Miss Howard three other names were considered. They were those of the Mayor of Christehureh. Mr. R. M. Macfarlane, Mr. T. H. Lang ford, the No. 3 Licensing Authority, and Mr. G. Manning. A by-election for tlie seat is certain, the executive of the Canterbury division of <the National party having deckled to recommend the electorate branch to contest the eeat. The general secretarv of the National party, Mr. B. W. McClurg, reached Chrietchurch by'air from Wellington yesterday and later met the Canterbury executive. Several names have been mentioned as likely aspirants for National nomination. These include Mr. K. Armour, who contested Christchurch East unsuccessfully last year. Mr. Gladstone Ward, who was defeated by Mr. Howard at the last election, Mr. I. J. Wilson, who contested Lyttelton against Mr. T. H. McCoiaba, m'.P., and Mr. T. Milliken, chairman of the Canterbury executive of the party and a former candidate for the seat.