CANDIDATE FOR MAYORALTY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27036, 11 May 1953, Page 10

CANDIDATE FOR MAYORALTY

LABOUR PARTY’S ' CHOICE MR J. MATHISON WILLING TO BE NOMINATED When the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee meets on June 25 to select candidates for local bodies in Christchurch there may be several seeking the Mayoralty candidature. Cr. J. Mathison, M.P., has indicated to some of the branches of the Avon electorate that he would accept nomination, but he said last evening that he did not know whether he had been nominated by any of the branches or affiliations of the Labour Party. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P.) has agreed to accept nomination again, and has advised the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) of his intentions, as a matter of courtesy. "It is not necessary to communicate with Mr Nash, for at the recent annual conference of the Labour Party it was reaffirmed that Labour representation committees had full jurisdiction in the selection of candidates for local body positions,’* Mr Mathison said. "It is not desirable, in my opinion, to bring the leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party into local body politics. I would be surprised if Mr Nash would attempt to influence the selection of candidates or influence any policy in connexion with local bodies.” Mr Mathison was nominated three years ago for the Mayoralty, but declined. “At that time I was tied up with the ‘Southern Cross’ newspaper and felt I could not do justice to both positions.” he said. ~ . In 1933 he was elected to the Christchurch City Council for the first time, and was then one of the youngest councillors. He was not returned m 1935, but was elected again in 1947, and has been a member of the council ever since. x . Another Labour aspirant may be Miss M. B. Howard, M.P., who is chairman of the reserves committee of the City Council. Miss Howard said last evening that she had received many reauests from organisations and individuals in Christchurch to stand for the Mayoralty, but that she had not discussed the matter with anyone. Nominations to go before the Labour Representation Committee will close on June 5.