COUNCIL BY-ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 23, 22 October 1936, Page 17

COUNCIL BY-ELECTION

Decision to Nominate Labour Candidate

IMR. J. READ TO STAND Setting aside the suggestion of tlie Wellington Ratepayers’ Association aimed at avoiding the necessity for a by-election for the seat on the Wellington City Council made vacant by the death of Cr. W. 11. Bennett, the Labour Representation Committee decided last night to nominate Mr. J. Read as a candidate. The nomination will probably bo filed today. The Ratepayers’ Association will hold a meeting this afternoon to consider what action it will take. When the Ratepayers’ Association discussed the question last week,_ it was decided to suggest to all parties likely to be interested that a candidate

should be nominated who would maintain the relative positions on the council :it the lime of Mr. Bennett’s death. It was claimed that, if this course was followed the city would be saved approximately £lOOO. The Ratepayers Association had hoped that, a Labour candidate would not be nominated, but in view of the decision of the Labour Representation Committee last night it wi'll be necessary for the association to convene a hurried meeting to discuss the position, as the nominations close to-morrow.

Mr. Read, who has held the office of president of the Trades and Labour Council and is secretary of the Timber Workers’ Union, has unsuccessfully contested the city council elections on several occasions as a member of the Labour ticket.

At the election of May, 1935, Mr. Read was fifth on the list of unsuccessful candidates. Mr. A. Parlane (Labour), who headed those who were unsuccessful, was returned unopposed in the by-election brought about by the retirement of the Hon. P. Fraser, following his acceptance of portfolios in the Labour Cabinet. Other unsuccessful candidates in order of placing were: Mr. A. M’. Croskery (Labour), 18,143 votes; Mr. AL J. Reardon (Labour), 18,043; Mr. T. Forsyth (Citizens’ Committee), 17,827; Mr. J. Read (Labour), 17,648.