GENERAL ELECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1938, Page 12

GENERAL ELECTION

EGMONT SEAT

MR. WILKINSON'S POSITION

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post.")

NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day.

As a result of a statement made by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, member of Parliament for Egmont, to a deputation which requested him to reconsider his wish to retire from Parliament at the end of the present session, a feeling of uncertainty has been engendered among National Party supporters in the electorate concerning representation, and it is understood that there are prospects of the organiser visiting the constituency shortly.

A meeting of about 200 electors from all parts of the electorate decided at Kaponga to request Mr. Wilkinson to offer himself for re-election.

Mr. A. J. Brennan, Mayor of Opunake, stated it was understood that Mr. Wilkinson had expressed a wish to retire at the end of the present Parliament. He would ask him to indicate his positidn, after which the meeting could decide on a course of action—whether it would ask Mr. Wilkinson to contest the seat again or whether it would select another candidate in his place. It was his wish to retire at the end of the present term, said Mr. Wilkinson, and he would like the meeting to' select another candidate in his stead.

Frank discussion showed that the general desire of the meeting was that Mr. Wilkinson should be requested to reconsider his decision and again offer his services.

During the discussion it was made clear by Mr. Wilkinson that he would consider the strong representations made only if he was given an entirely free hand if elected by the people. Although he was opposed to a Socialist Party he would require to be entirely independent. ■That Mr. Wilkinson be asked to contest the seat again was the motion carried by a large majority. Mr. Wilkinson promised , that he would consider the request carefully.

The reason for the organiser's visit, it was gathered; was to test the feeling, of supporters whether efforts should be made to nominate a candidate to stand definitely in the interests of; the National Party. It is felt in.some quarters that definite National Party representation is preferable to the present situation, but no step so far has been taken. '