MRS TAYLOR’S “INTRUSION”

Evening Star, Issue 19872, 22 May 1928, Page 11

MRS TAYLOR’S “INTRUSION”

REFORM FOLLOWERS DISMAYED PRESENTING SEAT TO LABOUR {.Special to the ' Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, Muj 22. The announcement of Airs T. E. Taylor’s candidature as the United Party s nominee for Christchurch North has created the greatest interest in tho city. Her supporters contend that she will receive most of the support that was given her late husband when he was member for the North scat, and that tho women’s vote alone should put her in. Tins is entirely apart from any ability which Airs Taylor may possess as a speaker and campaigner. Reform supporters arc frankly dismayed over the prospect of a three-cor-nered contest. They claim that in such a fight the prospects of the Labour candidate must be improved, and that the “intrusion” of Mrs Taylor will practically present the seat to the Labour nominee. The mayor (the Rev. J- K. Archer) is practically certain to be Labour’s choice. The Labour I arty representatives believe that Air Archer would put up a close fight with Mr Holland in a straight-out contest, because the Government has lost ground since tho 1925 election. In a triangular contest, they profess to believe that the result is a foregone conclusion, provided the women’s vote is not plumped for Airs Taylor. Dr Thacker, who was the official Nationalist candidate for Christchurch North at last General Election, may contest the seat again at the coming election. MAKE IT PREFERENTIAL AIR FORBES ON VOTE SPLITTING. [Pm United Purs a Associaiiow.] CHRISTCHURCH, Alay 22. Air Forbes, Acting-Leader ol the United Party, declared, in an interview, that the charge of veto splitting made against his party could have no force whatever, because the 'remedy for such a position was entirely in the hands of the Government. It the Government was sincere in wishing to avoid vote splitting at the election it was in its power to introduce a rfteasure of electoral reform providing lor a preferential system of voting. “ When tho Reform Government makes that charge against us.” said Mr Forbes. “it docs so with the object of narrowing down the choice of electors to its own candidates as against the Labour candidates, and that is a position that will not be tolerated. If there is any complaint about the splitting of votes, the responsibility must be laid entirely at the door of the Government.”