NEXT ELECTION

Evening Star, Issue 21709, 2 May 1934, Page 8

NEXT ELECTION

THE WELLINGTON SEATS MAYOR ASKED TO STAND [Qracui. to the ‘ Star.'] WELLINGTON May 2. The next general election, according to the Government view, will not take place until Pecember, 1935, but the official Opposition is rapidly completing its list of candidates. There is no sign, so far, of activity among the interests which comprise the Coalition, and this is no doubt responsible for the interesting situation which has arisen in connection with Wellington seats which would have to be contested against sitting Labour members. It is regarded as a certainty that the Mayor of Wellington, (Mr T. C. A. Hislop), will be a candidate next election, for the reason that it is believed he will eventually accede to the requests which have been made by individual citizens who have approved his administrative capacity as mayor for two terms, and who are anxious to see the Wellington seats contested by able men. Inquiries by your correspondent show that although the representations to the mayor are influential,_ they have not come from either section of the Government supporters in any organised form. Party organisation other than Labour does not appear to exist at the moment in the Capital, though there is a great deal of curiosity as to when the Coalition interests will give a lead in this repect. Meanwhile, it is significant of the uncertainties of the political, position that Mr Hislop’s friends are hoping for a favourable reply, and that he will declare himself as independent, opposed to Labour, and that he will try issues either in Wellington North or in Wellington East. Mr •Hislop’s father, the late Hon. W. Hislop, represented Waitaki and Oamaru in the House of Representatives, and held the portfolios of Colonial Secretary, and later, Minister of Education in the Atkinson ministry.