THE GENERAL ELECTION

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23883, 27 February 1943, Page 4

THE GENERAL ELECTION

Seven Members May Not Stand FOUR IN NATIONAL PARTY (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON. February 26. If the General Election is actually held this year—a point about which doubt might be expressed in some quarters because of possible war developments—all except four of the present Opposition members of Parliament and two Labour members are expected to stand for re-election. The four National Party members who, it has been stated, will not stand again are the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), the Hon. Sir Alfred Ransome (Pahiatua), the Hon. J. G. Cobbe (Manawatu), and Mr H. G. Dickie (Pstfis) One of the new candidates will be Mr K. J. Holyoake, a former member for Motueka, who may stand for Pa.hiatua. The selection of other National candidates is expected to start at an early date, and preparations in abeyance since the War Administration was established will go on apace. Mr G. A. Wilkinson (Independent) is also said to be not standing again. Two Labour members who indicated they would not stand again are the Hon. W. Lee Martin (Raglan), and Dr. D. G. McMillan (Dunedin West). Otherwise the present Labour members will again seek election, though this is subject to possible revision. There is no suggestion that Mr F. Langstone (Waimarino), though he resigned from the position of High Commissioner to Canada, will not again represent Labour at the election.

RICCARTON SEAT SIX NOMINATIONS RECEIVED The Riccarton electorate committee of the National Party has received the following nominations for selection of a candidate to represent the party at the General Election:—Major A. R. Alexander, Mr Frank Chop, Mr M, E. Lyons. Miss Mary McLean. Mr J. E. Tail, Second-Lieutenant Jack T. Watts. The meeting.of delegates from the branches throughout the electorate to make the selection will be held on March 31 at the National Club, Christchurch.

Work in preparation for the selection has been proceeding, and it is reported that the membership already is well in excess of the strength at the 1938 election.