Sydenham selection panel chosen

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33655, 3 October 1974, Page 14

Sydenham selection panel chosen

Mr John Kirk appears to be the nominee with the best chance of becoming the Labour Party’s candidate in the Sydenham by-election. Since his return to Christchurch, he has increased his support to the stage where if the matter were a local decision he would have no trouble.

The three Sydenham men on the selection panel—Messrs R. Jones, S. J. Smith, and C. Wise, who were chosen last evening—are expected to support Mr Kirk.

It has been reported that the three national executive members on the panel — the party president (Dr C. M. Bennett), the vice-president (Mr J. G. O’Brien), and the senior executive member (Mr B. J. Landers) — would support Mr J. F. Wybrow, Mr: Kirk’s only possible rival! among the 11 other nominees. Mr Wybrow, national sec-| retarv of the party, is also 1 supported by the party! hierarchy and Mr Rowliny. He worked closely with Mr Rowling when the latter was party president from 1970 to 1972. Mr Wybrow was secretary to the late Mr Kirk from ■ 1968 to 1970, before becoming secretary of the Labour Partv in 1971. However, it is believed in|

Christchurch that Mr Wybrow offended some party leaders when he declared himself for the candidacy without first consulting party officers. Safe seats are usually kept by the party for men they consider to be Cabinet material. In this case, Mr Wybrow, who is 42. is the best candidate. Mr John Kirk, who is 27, and has been for the last two years secretary of the Napier Hotel Workers’ Union, is too young to be considered as a possible Cabinet member.

r Mr Wybrow has never s stood for Parliament. He was s a candidate in the Wellington * City Council election but - withdrew when he became interested in the Sydenham t by-election. Mr Kirk has no r previous political experience. 1 t If the selection panel ties, r the decision will be left to j the meeting. Only financial , members of the Sydenham r Labour branches would be 1 r allowed to vote, in a secret ’ preferential ballot. If the i ! matter were still undecided < • the national executive would i choose the candidate. i