GENERAL ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 221, 15 June 1931, Page 8

GENERAL ELECTION

Otaki Reform Candidate MR. W. FIELD CHOSEN Five Names in Ballot Mr. W. H. Field, the sitting member, was chosen by a largely-attended meeting of delegates from all parts of the Otaki electorate at Paekakariki on Saturday afternoon as the official Reform candidate for Otaki at the general election. Five candidates went to the ballot — Messrs. Field, E. Windley, of Porirua, R. W. Bothamley, of Porirua, J. D. Avery, of Te Horo, and Gibson Young, of Stokes Valley. The name of My. Dunbar Sloane, of Johnsonville, had previously been submitted as a candidate, but he intimated to the meeting that he did not intend to go to the ballot, and that he would like to see any support he might have received given to Mr. Field. Each of the five prospective candidates addressed the meeting, after which a start was made with the secret ballot In accordance with the Reform Party's constitution. Mr. Field had a majority of votes at the first ballot, and was consequently selected to carry the Reform' banner at the forthcoming general election. In the course of his remarks Mr. Field mentioned that he had at the last election announced his intention of not standing again, but said that conditions had since entirely changed, and for reasons he gave he had decided to offer himself. Under the circumstances, however, he had considered it fair that, instead of taking advantage of the Reform Party’s rules and claiming selection as the party’s candidate, he decided to go to ballot and thus leave the Reform supporters in the electorate to make their own choice. Record of Public Life. A long and useful parliamentary career stands to the credit of Mr. Field. Local needs have always found in him a ready advocate, and through bls instrumentality much has been done for the constituency he has for so long so ably represented in the House of Representatives. Mr. Field was first elected for Otaki in 1900. He has served on various committees in the House, and has occupied positions as chairman. Born in Aramoho in -1861, Mr. Field was educated at Wellington College and Victoria University, and became a barrister and solicitor in 1893. He is still the senior partner of the legal firm of Messrs. Field, Luckie, and Wiren, Wellington. In his early days Mr. Field was an (enthusiastic oarsman, for some years holding the position of captain of the Star Boating Club, and rowing successfully in many senior four-oared races. He is an ardent lover of flowers, and his chief recreation is mountaineering. With his father he made the original exploration of “Field's Track," from Wanganui to the Karlol plains. He has been the active president since its inception of the Tararua Tramping Club, and pioneered the Mt. Hector track, from Otaki to Greytown over the Tararuas.

Mr. Field’s name has been inseparable from the interests of forestry and scenery preservation, and good work wtas performed by him as a member of the Tongariro National Park Board and the executive of the New Zealand Forestry League. His farming Interests include extensive bush reserves at Walkanae, where he has successfully reclaimed and planted a large area of drifting sand. Matters educational have had" his close attention for many years. He was a school commissioner for the Wellington district until the disestablishment of that office; he served on the Wellington Technical College Board and the Wellington College Board of Governors for several years; and was a member of the Wellington Education Board for many years. At the 1928 election he was returned in a three-cornered contest. NEW PLYMOUTH SEAT Reform Candidate Chosen By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth, June 13. A meeting of delegates of the New Plymouth branch of the Reform Party selected Mr. W. Middleton, barrister and solicitor, of Waltara, as the Reform candidate for the New Plymouth seat at the general election. Mr. Millerton* is a young man. He had a distinguished career in the Flying Corps in the Great War, and is also a prominent member of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. MANUKAU & FRANKLIN United Party Candidates The Auckland Provincial Executive of the United Party has recommended the endorsement by the Dominion Executive of the candidature for the general election of Mr. M. J. Moore for Manukau and Mr. C. I. Harkness for Franklin. Mr. Moore, who is 37 years of age, has since his return from the war been in business at Onehunga as a land agent and auctioneer. He is a member of the Borough Council and an all-round athlete. At one time he was the amateur champion lightweight boxer of New Zealand and Australia. He gained representative honours in hockey. He held office in the district branch of the Farmers’ Union for some years. Mr. Harkness formerly lived at Horowhenua, where he served as a member of the local County Council, also as a member of the Wellington Education Board. He Is a son of Mr. J. G. Harkness, a former member of Parliament for Nelson. Mr. Harkness unsuccessfully contested the Otaki seat as a Nationalist in 1925.