ELECTORAL SURVEY Four Sitting Members Sure Of Return

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 9

ELECTORAL SURVEY Four Sitting Members Sure Of Return

The northern and western South Island electorates are likely to remain politically stable at the General Election on Saturday. The National Party has lost ground in Nelson in the past on purely local issues—first the railway, then the cotton mill —but now it has hopes that there will be a change. It will need to be a huge swing to lose Mr S. A. Whitehead his 1963 majority of 2610.

Westland and Buller, two electorates with declining rolls, will remain loyal to Labour, traditionally and because both have enthusiastic members who have worked well. The Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) will hold Marlborough, but may well have an inroad on his majority from a strong and popular Labour candidate, Dr. G. A. Wall. Nielson

Mr Whitehead held Nelson comfortably three years ago with a majority of 2610. The number of electors has now increased by 1369 to 19,106; and the National Party hopes that past parochialism has been forgotten. It lingers, however, and Mr Whitehead’s vigour in promoting his area ensures him of success. He has been member for the district since 1957 and is a former deputy-mayor. The National Party has introduced as its candidate Dr. E. B. Slack, aged 43, senior lecturer in applied fisheries at Victoria University, Wellington. He is no stranger to Nelson, having had an active interest in expanding the fishing industry; nor is he a stranger to politics, having stood for the Liberal Party in Britain in the 1950 elections, when he increased his party’s vote. He may be able to achieve the same in Nelson, but it will not be enough. The Social Credit candiddate is again Mr C. B. Nicholls, who polled 1503 votes three years ago. Buller

Mr W. E. Rowling is one of the most able of the younger members of Parliament and would be certain of a Cabinet post if Labour gained the Treasury benches. He went into Parliament at a 1962 by-election after the death of the former DeputyPrime Minister (Mr W. E. Skinner), having cut his political teeth, and made them felt, in Fendalton. Three years ago he had a majority of 1671 over Mr E.

W. King, who is again the National candidate. Although there are now 189 fewer electors, Mr Rowling could well increase his majority because of personal popularity. Mr King, who is 53, is a dairy 'tud manager for a stock firm and also operates his own cattle stud. He is an experienced campaigner, having stood against Mr Rowling at the 1962 by-election as well as in 1963 and against Mr Skinner in 1960. The third and new candidate is Mr W. P. Dobier, a 40-year-old schoolteacher, for Social Credit In 1963, Social Credit polled 1033 and it will be surprising if Mr Dobier can do any better. Marlborough Mr Shand, now 55, has been member for Marlborough for 20 years and will remain there on Saturday, but he cannot be complacent. He has had a variety of Labour opponents, including a police sergeant. Now he has Dr. Wall, a borough councillor, member of the Marlborough Hospital Board and deputy - medical superintendent of the Wairau Hospital against him. Dr. Wall is widely known

and respected in the electorate as a surgeon, a sympathetic doctor who has put many alcoholics back on the road of self respect, and as a champion of Maori-European equality on and off the Rugby field. He will poll well. Mr G. R. Kerr, a 53-year-old sheepfarmer, is standing again for Social Credit. He is also well known in the district, and did well three years ago to record 2033 votes. He can be expected to be among the more successful of the Social Credit candidates again. Westland

Mr P. Blanchfield, one of Parliament’s most colourful characters, will be untroubled to win Westland. His health has not been good, but he has made a recovery. So long as it remains good, so long will he be member for Westland.

Mr G. K. Ferguson, aged 38, a Waipura farmer, is the National candidate, Mr I. M. Fraser, who polled 1680 three years ago, is again the Social Credit candidate, and Mr R. H. Mitchell, a Communist with an insignificant 165 votes three years ago, completes the field.

Westland’s roll has dropped by 506 to 15,051.