SELECTING A CANDIDATE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 13958, 3 February 1911, Page 10

SELECTING A CANDIDATE.

TROUBLES OF THE LABOUR TARTY.

\ meeting, attended by twenty members of the South Christchurch BraiKli of the >'ew Zealand Labour Party, was held la.4t night., and nominated candidates to represent the electorate in I Parliament. Messrs C. Lafferty and 6. R. Whiting were duly nominated. Tho question of Mr James Thorn's [nomination Jed to a somewhat lengthy I discussion. On December Sth last, Mr Thorn wrote to the secretary of the branch to tho effect that he would be willing to accept nomination. A ' rrentlcniaii in ChrLstchurch received a I letter from Mr Thorn, dated a week luter, i intimating that he would not, contest the South Christchurch scat, and that he intended to stay in England. Referring to this last-mentioned letter, Mr A. D. Hart said it made the branch look "absolutely ridiculous.•' Mr Thorn, if he had changed his mind, ought to have written to the branch. •'I am not prepared," he added, "to take Mr Thorn up at all till I really see which way tho eat is jumping!" Mr 0. R. Whiting said that tho Branch had written to Mr Thorn, to ask him if he intended to stand for Christchurch South in the revolutionary Socialist interest, and extracts from Mr Thorn's reply appeared in yesterday's newspapers. Tho Chairman (Mr .7. Forrester) advised that they should not rush to conclusions; there might be another letter from Mr Thorn to the branch on tho way. Mr Whiting moved that, nominations should not close till May or June. Mr T. Green seconded. Mr Young opposed tho motion. .He did not think that the fact that Mr Thorn had repudiated tho advances made to him by the branch should pro vent them considering candidates. Mr Thorn had acted in a manner not to bo commended by men who wished to bo considered fair-minded. Mr Hart remarked that Mr Thorn had -'fallen from grace." They had a strong man to figlit in the present member, and ought to get their candidate before the public as soon as possible. -'Wo have to set the old member out.' , ho added, "ho doesn't suit us at all. Jim Thorn is no Rood to mc and no good to Labour; ho is looking after his own interests. Thorn was a strong man, but lie has turned us over, and wo must get tho best man to stand." Mr J. A. McCullough entirely disagreed with the remarks made about Mr Thorn, who. lie said, had done <rood work for Labour. The position v-as that Thorn had changed his mind. In reply to a question the Chairman s -icl that the Branch had no other letter from Mr Thorn except tho one from •which extracts were published. It was decided that nominations r-hould remain oien for throe months. Mr M. Laracy asked if there was any ohanco of getting Mr McCullough to stand. He did not think there was a worker who would not like to sco him in Parliament. Mr McCullough: "No, thero is not tho slightest hope, nor ever will bo tho slightest hope, of Jack McCullough standing for Parliament." .Mr Hart: "So much tiio loss for Labour!" The Chairman: "I question that; Mr McCullough is doing good work where he is." Mr Hart was nominated, but declined on the Following terms:—"No, Mr Chairman, it is not nn honourable calling; I don't want it!"