HUTT BY-ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 52, 25 November 1929, Page 10

HUTT BY-ELECTION

INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT MR. BENNETT WITHDRAWS ANTI-LABOUR VICTORY DESIRED Mr. H. D. Bennett, the Independent candidate, has decided to withdraw from the Hutt byelection contest in order to leave tho way as clear as possible for an anti-Labonr victory. News of Mr. Bennett’s decision reached Wellington last night in a Press Association message from Wanganui, where Mr. Bennett had been on a week-end visit. Mr. Bennett announced that he would not further prejudice the field against the antl-Sociallst candidate and would therefore retire from the contest. Interviewed on his return to Wellington last night Mr. Bennett confirmed the announcement. Three Candidates Left. Mr. Bennett’s retirement leaves three contestants In the field, Mr. H. F. Johnston, the Reform candidate; Mr. W. Nash, the Labour nominee; and Mr. J. Kerr, the United banner-carrier. Since the seat fell vacant the candidates have concerned themselves with addressing meetings of friends and supporters, but this week will see the opening of the campaign in earnest from the public platform. The supplementary roll will close at 6 o’clock to-night, so that electors who have not already attended to the matter will have only to-day left in which to register. The candidates’ nominations will close on December 2. The Reform Campaign. Reports to hand indicate that the Reform organisation is well under way and that the prospects of a successful campaign are particularly bright. It is stated that Mr. H. F. Johnston has created a very favourable impression at all the meetings he has addressed, and that offers to work for his return have been received from all directions. Mr. Johnston will open his campaign with a public address at King George Theatre at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The chair will be occupied by the Mayor (Sir Alexander Roberts). Mr. Johnston is an able speaker and the expectations are that he will address a capacity audience. To-night at eight o’clock Mr. Johnston, will address a meeting of friends and supporters at Dellabarca’s Hall, Oroua Street, Eastbourne. Mr. C. H. Andrews will preside. To-morrow evening the candidate will speak to a meeting of the younger people at the Petone committee rooms at the corner of Nelson and Jackson Streets. Both the Petone and Hutt Committee rooms are connected with the telephone, the Petone numbers being 46—396 (or 766 Petone exchange), and the Lower Hutt, 46—596 (or 759 Lower Hutt exchange). Mr. Johnston resides in the electorate at Lowry Bay, and his telephone number is 46—662.

Mr. Nash’s Campaign.

The Labour candidate, Mr. W. Nash, will open his platform campaign in the Labour Hall, Petone, on Thursday night at 8 o'clock. All electors are invited to attend. Arrangements will be made for an overflow meeting. The Mayor of Petone (Mr. D. McKenzie) will preside. To-night at 8 a meeting of friends and supporters of Mr. Nash will be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lower Hutt. To-morrow night a similar meeting of friends and supporters will be held in the Borough Council Chambers, Eastbourne. To-night week (December 2) Mr. Nash will address his second public meeting in the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, at 8 p.m.