TAURANGA SEAT.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17706, 7 March 1923, Page 8

TAURANGA SEAT.

SIR JOSEPH WARD A CANDIDATE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.) AUCKLAND, March 6. Sir Joseph Ward announced this morning his Vision to « tand for tho Tauranga seatBeplving to a Liberal deputation at Te Aroha last i"E ht . Sir Jose P h saul that he appreciated tho unanimity of the representations made. He felt much improved in health and lit for a stiff campaign. If he secured as loyal sunport as promised, ho had very little doubt but that the seat would be once again represented by a Liberal. TE AKOHA. March C. Before deciding to contest tho seat, Sir Joseph Ward communicated with his business interests in the South Island He has left lor Auckland. A stroil" committee is being formed in this part of tho electorate by the Liberal Party.

STATEMENT BY MR WILFORD. DELIGHTED AT THE DECISION. (PEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.) WELLINGTON, March 6. Mr T. M. Wilt'ord to-day made* the following comment on the position in regard to the Tauranga seat:— "I am delighted at" the decision of Sir Joseph Ward to stand for Tauranga. Last night Mi- Veitch, M.P., telephoned me from Te Aroha, where he and Mr Masters, M.P., were attending a meeting of delegates on behalf of tfiie executive of the Liberal-Labour Party, giving me news which I conveyed to the newspapers. "The entry of fciir Joseph Ward into politics," added Mr Wilford, "is undoubtedly for the benefit of the country, for liis knowledge and understanding of finance will be most helpful, while the fanning community and business men of hew Zealand will see in his return much to make them rejoice. I telegraphed to Sir Joseph early this morning, congratulating him on the decision of tho meeting of last night and hoping that he would make an announcement of his willingness to contest the seat to-day. lam ready to assist his candidature in every way possible, for there never has been a time in the historv of the country when his financial ability has bten more needed than it is to-day." KEEN CONTEST EXPECTED. (special to "the pbess.") AUCKLAND, March 6< After a period of silence, Sir Joseph Ward has at last announced that after all he will be a candidate for the Tauranga seat at the forthcoming election as a Liberal supporter. After stating his decision, he left Te Aroha to-day for Auckland and Wellington. He returns on Monday to start his campaign. Messrs Veitch and Masters, M.P.'s, left Te Aroha this morning.

It is understood that Mr Lawrence Johnstone, a- former Liberal candidate for Parliamentary honours at Tauranga, has retired in favour of Sir Joseph Ward.

The "Herald's" Tauranga correspondent telegraphs to-night that a very keen contest- seems assured, and there will probably be a straight-out issue between Sir Joseph Ward and Mr E. E. McMillan, the Beforin candidate.

This, however, seems unlikely, as Labour is bound to make a bold bid for the seat if a suitable candidate can be found. The Reform Party has gained an initial advantage, as they chose their candidate early, and he is now hard at work. Sir Joseph Ward, however, has apparently regained his health and strength, and there will be plenty doing in the Tauranga electorate politically from now on until tho date of the poll. The Prime Minister was about Auckland to-day. He seemed to realise that the fight would be a tough one, biit he is confident of retaining the seat. DATE OF ELECTION. Though one political party has already commenced active campaigning in the Tauranga electorate in anticipation of the pending by-election, and though it is generally believed that the election will take place next month, the instructions which place the ekctoral machinery in action have not yet boon givcii. The Legislature Act provides that where a vacancy has been brought al:out by death, the Speaker shall issue the warrant to the Clerk of Writs forthwith, directing lum t;j issue a writ to supply the vacancy. This writ is then forwarded to the registrar of the district, in tLis ease Tauranga, and is returnable within 28 day.-:. The regislivr is thus given plenty of scope in which to fix tho date of the election, but he is required to give at lea.st ten days' notice of it. Usually the polling day is fixed about twenty days alter the iwme of the writ, and consequently, should the procedure of the Act be strictly adhered to, the election can be exp.'ctcd to take placo during the prosent month. THE POLITICAL TANGLE. WELLINGTON COMMENT. (dPECIJt TO 'IIIE PfIESS.") WELL] XCTOX. March 6. The decision of Sir Joseph Ward to allow himself to be nominated for the Tauranga seat invests uio coming contest with more than ordinary interest and importance, and His presence in Parliament, should be be returned at the head of the poll, will make tlie present difficult polit.cal situation in Parliament still more complicated and interesting. There is much speculation in political circles as to the position Sir Joseph

i will take up should be enter the House of Representatives. "Uill lie take Mr . Wilford's place as leader of the LitaraT Party, or will he be content with a | position subordinate to Mr Wiiford, of i j will the two be co-equal It is gener- ! ally recognised that sooner or later Sir j ; Joseph Ward, if be re-enters Parlia- ! : ment, will become the leader of the J ■ Liberal Party, for he jftust necessarily j ! overshadbw Mr Wiiford. j i But should Sir Jceepa Ward win the j Tauranga seat, there will be still more important issues to be faced, for in i that case Mr Massey's majority will be ! reduced to only one, and he possibly . could not see his way to carry on ; under such circumstances. There is , the still further possibility that if Sir (Continued at foot of next column.) (

Jo-pa Ward be« ~. e i'aiV, -Ui Wi'tii |)|uUll i, Uft wie scene, tn^sj: tt urea to */ and f ,„* uouiu be reversed, >»*fai* woujd and iwuseit n a [ (i # tnde. ihe.-e cncumsiaac , re-entry seem to mane anotner 6«» anuust a certainty. /" t pHfl a reaay proved that he J|lU j m the Uouse, af^'.^d^ ieiecuon, if gr^^dh^ Victorious, Mr **?="■». ore rDor-W"5 rigiic to go to the £ his &tf and (alter showing tB« Las not sufflcien carry on the business ot J asxior a dissolution. ;#* ./There are, l»*f e^ , tons to be taken into the two election P«f« flan.« vet to be decided. x » reti uflitfJ Lcc still has a «»•«* &JJ seat, but on * >%°fs a sse?'» m Pomare, one oi f" „& teWTg may be unseated or ■*& # That would tion, but not■ n«***K. iM'S seat to the Gowrnß £9 scat is regarded as a «y dotfl for the hear anything no» lodged on behalf o the drt p^ Jennings., so P w f 3iaSi ey <J } Government, could jj ment without thei sup. »f {< treme Labour £»£'*«**«* - era! weeks yet beore,^wr really know how * &"*£#&&> :,