BY-ELECTION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1195, 2 August 1911, Page 5

BY-ELECTION.

4. CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT,

THE CANDIDATES. ißy Telc'craplj.—RncHlnl CorroSD'ma'ent.i • Christchurch, August 1. By to-morrow the election contest for the Christchurch North scat will bo in full swing. So far the only candidates who have actually announced themselves are Mr. J. D. Hall, wire will have the full support of Hie Reform League and the Opposition party generally, and the Rev. L. M. Isitt, who asserts that he will go to the House only us ono free from any. compact with any Government or party. He would sign no pledge.. At an. informal meeting to-day Mr. Isitt mentioned that ho was opposed to the sale of any more Crown lauds. Ho favoured the leasehold tenure with periodical revaluation, ami the tenant's absolute Tight to improvements, the limitation of th© area of holdings, an increase in tho graduated land tax, and the .electivo Executive with the initiative and referendum. • He did not believe in the cessation of borrowing, nor that all State employees 'should havo full political rights. Mr. Isitt is at present carrying, on a bookselling business in the city. Mr. Hall's candidature is probably undertaken at some considerable personal loss, for it is assumed that ho will retiro from partnership in the legal firm of which Mr. T. W. Stringer, K.C., Crown Prosecutor, is a member. Mr. Hall's, friends are confident of bis victory, for ho counts many supporters in the electorate, aud a requisition, which was in circulation beforo Mr. T. E. Taylor's death inviting him to contest the seat m November next, was very largely signed. He has, in a quiet way, dono much good public service already, particularly as a member of the City Council, and of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and as chairman of the Fire Board. The Trades and Labour Council have not yet decided as to their course of action. Dr. Thacker is undecided as to whether he will came out now as an Independent Liberal, with Government aud Labour leanings, or wait until November, when he will contest Christchurch East. i A Socialist, Mr. L. If. Wilson, a gardener aud contractor, is also, spoken of as having Parliamentary aspirations. Formal notification has now been received by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the death of the member for Christchurch North (Mr. T, E. Taylor). The Acting-Piiuio Minister gave notice last. evening to move on next sitting day for the issue, by the Clerk of Writs of the warrant' for an election. Tho writ will bo returnable wilhin twenty-one days. A week must bo allowed for a possible second ballot, and the date of tho election will therefore probably be in about n fortnight.