TAURANGA SEAT.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17701, 1 March 1923, Page 7

TAURANGA SEAT.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S INTENTIONS. DEFINITE ANNOUNCEMENT TO-DAV. (SPECIAL To "THE PEESS.") AUCKLAND, February 28. It is not y6t certain whether Sir Joseph Ward will contest the by-elec-tion for the Tauranga seat. There is, however, very general anticipation that lie will accept the invitation from supporters and friends \Jh the electorate to Beek its suffrage at the poll. The district invitation has' been strengthened by telegrams from all partß of the Dominion, urging Sir Joseph to accept nomination, -with a view to re-entering active politics. He was kept busy tins morning at tho Grand Hotel, Auckland, replying to rriondly messages. It. is his intention to make his decision public before leaving to-morrow night py the Main Trunk express Wellington. It may be noted .that the present Leader of tho Parliamentary Liberal Party (Mr T. M. AVilford) has not yet made any defiuito arrangement about selecting a candidate. He has made it known that live names had been submitted to him for consideration, but has yot been Said about the possibility of Sir Joseph Ward contesting tho vacant seat in tho Liberal interest. Perhaps Mr Wilford has not yet heard about it. than ordinary interest is being shown in the prospect of Sir Joseph's candidature, and already there is the keenest of guesswork as to the result. While that is rather premature conjecture, it at . least bliows that the country loves a piquant political contest. .. Many peoplo aro inolinotl to regret, however, that there should be n likelihood of several quite hopeless can" didates entering the arena. It is obvious that they do but encumber tho ground. The slaughter will be all •the heavier in the end. (MUSS ABSOCiATfON MLBOBAll.) AUCKLAND, February 28. Mr W.,D. Adnamd, who contested the Manukau soat at the general election, unttouiices himself as a candidate for the Tauranga seat in : the Beform interests.