THE HUTT SEAT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 117, 13 November 1929, Page 12

THE HUTT SEAT

EOUR CANDIDATES?

MR. H. D. BENNETT TO STAND

The appointment as High Commissioner of the Hon. T. M. Wilford, who has continuously represented the Hutt constituency in tho House of Representatives for the past thirty years will necessitate a by-election probably early in the New Year—at any rate before Parliament reassembles. Following on tho pronouncement of Mr. Wilford's appointment, speculation has been quickly busy as to likely • candidates for the vacancy.

Officially, there is no vacancy until the sitting member tenders his. resignation, which may not occur until close upon the date he is due to leave for England (7th December). But ' the fact that it will shortly be necessary for the electors of Hutt to choose another representative is exciting no little interest in the lower part of the ' Already one candidate is definitely m the field, and there are indications that other announcements will not be slow to follow. In reply to' an inquiry to-day, Mr. H. D. Bennett, who contested the Hutt seat in ,1922 in the interests of the Reform Party, stated that he will be a candidate for ' the .seat aftei' it has been vacated by Mr Wilford. Mr. Bennett stood previously m support of tho policy of the late Mr •JVLassey, who was in office in 1922, but since thenjie has not associated himself definitely with any party. His first by-election speech will' therefore be awaited with some interest, especially as it is freely understood in tho electorate that another nominee is fay oured on behalf of Reform. A member of the Wellington executive of the Reform Party stated to-day that it was beyond doubt that there would be a Eeform candidate in the field. Reform has not put up a candidate in the Hutt electorate at the last'two General Elections. In 1925 this 'was largely as a concession to Mr. Wilford, who was absent abroad on a 'health-recruitine trip at the time. ,It was generally understood that the party did " not create a triangular contest last year for fear of splitting the votes and making the seat a gift to Labour. It is said to be certain that the United Party will place a strong candidate in the field to bid for the seat in tno House so ;long held by its present representative, and an announcement is expected within a week. The Labour candidate in 1925 and in 19^8 has been; Mr. Walter Nash, national secretary of the New Zealand Labour Party. / While it is assumed that he will again receive the nomination for the by-election, the decision must rest, according to the procedure" laid down by ■ the party, with the party s supporters in the electorate, and will be deeidea by selection ballot. It is of interest to note that in 1922 a Jnangular 'contest resulted in the return of Mr. Wilford with a majority of 800 votes,, Mr. Bennett being at the foot of tho, poll with a deficiency of 1400 votes. • In 1925 Mr. Wilford defeated Mr. Nash in a straight-out fight by 1800 votes, and last year ho retained the seat with a majority of 1300. With a prospect o£ four candidates being nominated, the by-election promises to bo one of unusual interest.