BULLER BY-ELECTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 October 1933, Page 2

BULLER BY-ELECTION

«>. MINERS OWN CANDIDATE? j Dissatisfaction with the candidature j of Mr P. C. Webb, official Laboui’ candidate in the by-election in the Buller electorate, is reported. According to the “Westport News,” and the “Westport. Times,” there is organised opposition to Mr Webb. The “Westport Times” states that a new development indicating a serious divergence of opinion in the Labour ) ranks has taken place in the Buller) by-election, with the ( holdimg of] special meetings of the various, Miners’ Unions, to deal with the matter of the miners’ organisations’ nominee for the Buller seat allegedly not being supported by the Labour Party s National Executive in Wellington. At Millerton, a, resolution was passed to the effect that the Union was dissatisfied with Mr Webb’s selection, and that it favoured Mr J. Smeaton, President of the National Council of Miners. It is stated unofficially that a similar resolution was passed at Stockton, at a moderately attended meeting. There is some talk at Millerton of Mr Ben Davidson, and in Denniston, of Mr Thorn, in addition

to Mr Smeaton. The “Westport Times” adds: “A re- . port from Denniston received this afternoon (Monday) was to the effect that Mr Webb’s selection was not popular on the Hill, and that it was considered the people should have the right to appoint a candidate to represent them. Officials of the Labour Party in Westport informed the “Times’ ’that before, making a selection, the National Executive decided to write to all affiliated unions to nominate a candidate to place before the National Executive. Four names were suggested, and these were placed before the Labour Representation Committee at a meeting at Westport a few weeks ago and it was decided to support wholeheartedly the selection of the National Executive, from the four nominees. All affiliations, including Denniston, Millerton, Qrey Valley, Blackball, and the State Mines were present at the meeting. “Under the constitution of the New Zealand Labour Party, the National Executive need not invite nominees for candidature in a by-election; but could appoint a candidate itself, without reference to anyone. It was considered, therefore, that there was no justification for the affiliations which are parties to the constitutions, not abiding by their decision at Westport, and also by the constitution of the Party.” MR McLAGAN NOT STANDING. Messrs J. Smeaton and A. McLagan returned to Brunner to-day, after addressing special meetings at mines in the Buiier. Mr J. Smeaton, when interviewed by a “Star” reporter this afternoon, said that a definite statement of the position would be made by him, after the several unions, which had yet to be met, had held their meetings. Mr Smeaton added that he could state definitely that Mr A. McLagan would not be a candidate for the seat. Nominations for the by-election close on November 8.

Mr Frank Langstone, M.P. for Waimarino, Chairman 0“ the New Zealand Labour Party, and Mr Robert Semple, M.P. for Wellington East, will arrive in Greymouth this afternoon. Mr Langstone will speak at Cobden tonight, and Mr Semple at Runanga, in support of Mr Webb’s candidature.