Anti-Gill group has short-list of two

Press, 22 May 1978, Page 10

Anti-Gill group has short-list of two

PA Auckland The East Coast Bays “National alternative’ faction yesterday named a twoperson short-list for its election bid opposing the Minister of Health (Mr Gill). The anti-Gill group will choose between Mrs Joy Shaw, aged 49. a primary school teacher, and Mr David Phillips, aged 28. a horsebreeder, by mid-June. A “National alternative” committee spokesman. Mr J. Bridges, said the group whittled its candidates from seven to two last Thursday—after deciding to “go it alone” against the East Coast Bays electorate committee. The group made an eleventh hour bid to reopen party nominations, but the deadline for a reply from the electorate committee ran out yesterday. The two candidates will be

presented to the electorate at | an evening function on May 26. A final selection is intended by mid-June. The “National alternative” candidate will address a public i meeting on July 3. “Rather than throw a candidate at the electorate as the National Party did, we’re going to present two candidates initially. People ( can then assess them and' maybe help us to make our: final decision,” Mr Bridges said. The group planned to send a telegram to the National Party president (Mr G. A. Chapman), inviting him to meet them. “We want to make it clear to him that we are concerned about National; we want to emphasise our party loyalty and show him we are serious i in our resolve,” Mr Bridges said.