MANAWATU SEATS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 60, 8 September 1937, Page 12

MANAWATU SEATS

HON. J.G. COBBE'S SERVICES

(Special to the."Evening Post.'1)

PALMERSTON N., This Day,

As a result of the elimination of the Oroua electorate there is considerable speculation among National, Party interests as to which seat the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, the member for Oroua, will be invited to contest. In both the Manawatu and Rangitikei electorates there is a keen desire for Mr. Cobbe's services and it is certain that he will be invited to contest one or the other of the seats. It is understood that Mr. J. Linklater, who represented the old Manawatu electorate prior to the last General Election, will not be available for the forthcoming contest, and opinion appears to favour .the idea that Mr. Cobbe should be the National Party's candidate for this seat, which was won on a slender margin by the Labour Party's candidate. In a straightout contest National Party interests are confident that Mr. Cobbe could win back this seat, the voting for which will have the substantial backing of the party's interests in Feilding.

On the other hand there is to be considered the fact that the major portion of the territory which'once comprised th ■ Oroua electorate is now incorporated in the new Rangitikei electorate, and the National Party voters in this territory gave Mr. Cobbe a substantial and absolute vote. The adjustments in the Rangitikei electorate suggest that it offers a. great chance for a strong National Party candidate. That part of Wanganui formerly incorporated in the Rangitikei electorate has been excluded while Taihape borough has also been excluded and placed in the Waimarino electorate. These are important territorial exclusions which appear to strengthen the prospects of success for a strong National Party candidate. Many people,would like-to- see Mr. Cobbe as the candidate since it is unlikely that Mr/ A. Stuart,-, who was defeated at the last election, will be a candidate.

Territorially, the Rangitikei • electorate would appear to have the stronger claim on Mr. Cobbe's services. He has campaigned through the pountry* and he is as familiar with every section of it as the voters are with him. The Manawatu has known Mr. Cobbe fora lifetime, and while the ground for campaigning might be unfamiliar this would not be to the detriment of one so widely known and so highly respected. While there is no immediate hurry for a decision the electors of two substantial electorates are desirous of knowing.who will carry the National Party banner in next year's campaign. Mr. Cobbe will, of .course, remain as member for Oroua until Parliament dissolves and not until .then will the seat disappear. .