MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 27, 1 February 1923, Page 8

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

SELECTING CANDIDATES

OPPOSING FACTIONS ACTIVE

LABOUR NOMINATIONS CALLED FOR. . a

A quickening interest in the municipal and other biennial elections to he held in April next is now apparent throughout the city, and both Labour and anti-La-bour bodies are making preparations for the selection of candidates for the! various offices. . The Labour Representation Committee laid its preliminary plans last nigh, and the Civic League has arrangements well forward towards tile representation at the poll of those interests which are opposed to Labour.

~\ In order to guard against a plethora of candidares, and to avoid consequent vote splitting, the Civic League is endeavouring to organise a campaign on behalf of the various ratepayers and other associations. A committee set up about a fortnight ago to deal with matters of organisation met on 23rd January, when a, statement of principles was adopted for submission to the several organisations in the city. It was decided to invite the co-operation of all associations which have shown an interest in the advancement of the city, either directly or indirectly, and which, areprepared to act independently of party control. An intimation appeared in "The Post" that the Wellington North Ratepayers' Association was calling a conference of other ratepayers' associations for the purpose of discussing the forthcoming elections. The Civic League has written to the aseoei*. tion, setting out the plans ot operation suggested, and' inviting it to act in Conjunction with the other ratepayers' bodies. At the present time it appears that some fourteen associations are likely to act in the united movement. A letter detailing the plans suggested has been dispatched by the Civic League to twenty-two associations and institutions, including all properly constituted municipal electors' associations, and other bodies composed of citizens for the advancement of community interests. They are being invited to send delegates to a meeting to be held on Wednesday evening next, when an election committee will be appointed, consisting, if-possible, of two representatives from each body, together with officers of the Civic League. There are indications that a large combination would be effected. For the purpose of dealing with candidatures a committee is to be formed' composed of one representative from each body represented on the election committee. For purposes of negotiation with probable candidates it is probable that 6ub-committees will be appointed. THE LABOUR CAMPAIGN. .A largely-attended meeting of the Wellington Representation Committee was held last night for the purpose of making preparation for the coming elections. It was decided that Labour, should contest the Mayoralty, and that candidates should also be put up for all seats on the City Council, the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and the Harbour Board. Labour affiliations are being invited by circular to nominate candidates for,all positions. Nominations will close with the secretary ,of the Labour Representation . Committe on, 28th February. In the event of there being more candidates than there are seats to be contested, a selection ballot will be held on a date to be arranged.

The candidature for the Mayoralty of Mr. C. H. Chapman, a sitting member of the City Council, which was announced recently, has caused a good deal of comment in Labour circles. Mr. Chapman, when approached this morning, denied that he intended to contest the Mayoral seat. The announcement that he would be a candidate as the selected nominee of the Labour Party was unfounded. He said that as a member of the Labour Party his nomination for the position would be subject to a selection ballot of the Party members, and he would not stand unless he was selected as a candidate by a majority of the . members. Mr. Chapman is undecided whether to accept nomination, even if requested' to do so.