THE ELECTION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20381, 30 October 1931, Page 10

THE ELECTION.

DATE NOT YET FIXED. MR FORBES DENIES RUMOURS. frEESS ASSOCIATION mXHRkH.) WELLINGTON, October 29. Speaking on the motion to go into Committee on tho Estimates, Mr H. Holland, Leader, of the Opposition, asked the Prime Minister in the House of Representatives this afternoon if he would state on what date the election would be held. Mr Holland said there had been disquieting rumours that certain candidates were being aske o stand down on the strength of promises of appointment to the Legislative Council. Ho asked for a definite statement from tho Prime Minister that there would be no appointments of this nature in the event of the Coalition returning victorious. The Et. Hon. G. W. Forbes said the date of the election depended entirely on the date on which the session ended. The election would take place within three weeks or a month after that date. He had anticipated that the session would end on Saturday week, but he now doubted whether it would be possible to complete the business by then. Mr H. Atmore (U., Nelson): Are you putting the Broadcasting Bill through? Mr Forbes: Oh, yes. Replying to Mr Holland, Mr lorbes said no inducement of any description had been offered to any candidate to withdraw from the contest. Any man who withdrew would do so unreservedly and only in accordance with a sense of duty to the country. No promises had been made, nor would they be made.

QUESTIONS FOR candidates.

FARMERS* UNION CIRCULAR. (rr.i:ss association TELEoaut.) WELLINGTON, October 29. The executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to-day adopted the following findings <f a special committee set up to prepare a questionnaire for Parliamentary candidates, and a copy is to be sent to all candidates at the forthcoming election: — That the following matters are of vital and urgent importance to the economic rehabilitation of the Dominion: (1) That an immediate adjustment of interest rates is essential. (2 1 * That the total derating of farmers' lands from general rates levied for maintenance purposes is essential. (3) That the Government, should suspend the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act during the present econouiic crisis and so amend it as to provide for compulsory conciliation and optional arbitration. (4) That in order to combine a balanced Budget with a general reduction of taxation, which is essential to the recovery of prosperity, further economies are necessary ip public and local expenditure. (5) That in order to reduce the costs of production and living a drastic downward revision of Customs tariffs is urgently needed and should J?e made as soon as the budgetary position will permit.

WELLINGTON NORTH SEAT. TEES? ASSOCIATION TBLBGEAiI.) WELLINGTON, October 29. Mr G. A. Troup, who retired from the Mayoralty of "Wellington last May after four years in office, has been selected as the official Coalition candidate for Wellington North.

TO GO TO THE POLL. (press association telbobam.) OAMABU, October 29. Mr J. C. Kirkness, who was selected pome months ago the Reform candidate for Oamaru, has definitely announced his intention of contesting the seat against the sitting United member. A lipge meeting qf supporters to-night resolved that the points at issue were, the nation first, the country second, and the district third, and that the district's rights as to the selection of a candidate should not be curtailed by the pact between the leaders of the Parties without reference to tho district itself.

MR CAUGHLEY WITHDRAWS. (PEIS3 ASSOCIATION T*LEGBA2t.) AUCKLAND, Octpber 29. Uncertainty still prevails regarding the selection of Coalition candidates for some Auckland seats. It is announced that Mr J. Caughley, United candidate for Parnell, has withdrawn to leave Mr W. P. Endean (Reform) a clear field against Mr J. W. Yarnall (Labour). TIMARU ELECTORATE. [Fjxom Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 29. It is understood that Mr H. N. Armstrong will be the Coalition- candidate for Timaru.