BYE-ELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1939, Page 6

BYE-ELECTION

FOR CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH.

POSSIBLE CANDIDATES.

(Per Press Association —Copyright),

CHRISTCHURCH, May 2. A by-election for the Christchurch South seat, - made vacant hy the death last week of Air E‘. J”. Howard, is now certain. The executive of the Canterbury division the National Party yesterday afternoon decided to recommend the electorate branch to contest the seat. The branch will meet this

week. j The selection of the Labour candidate will probably bo known before ' the end of the week. The national 1 executive of the Labour Party, which j selects candidates for bv-elections, has 'appointed the Hon. T). Wilson, M.L.C., I as its representative to consult with the Christchurch South branch and the North Canterbury Labour Pepreseivtation Committee. Mr Wilson will arive in Christchurch on Wednesday to meet the affiliated members of the electorate at the Sydenham Fotbali Club’s hall in the evening. On the J following evening he will discuss, the situation with the Labour Representation Committee. The general secretary of the National Party, Mr B. W. McClurg, reached Christchurch by air from Wellington yesterday and later met the Canterbury executive. Several I names have been mentioned as likely ■ aspirants for National nomination. 'These include Mr E. B. 10. Taylor, n j son of the late Mr T. E. Taylor (who was member for Christchurch South.), Mr K. Armour, who contested Christ--1 church East unsuccessfully last year, Mr Gladstone Ward, who was defeated by Mr Howard at the last election, Mr I. .1. Wilson, who contested Lyttelton against Mr T, H. McCombs. M.P.. and Mr T. Mil liken, chairman of the Canterbury executive of the party and a former candidate for the seat, j Because of the nature of the electorate, no surprise would be occasioned if Mr Taylor were announced as the candidate. A Christchurch man, he is now practising as a barrister at Greymouth, and in October last he gained

campaign experience by opposing Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., for the Westland seat.

j The by-election, promises to lie a i fuli-dress contest, the National Party ' members believing that interest throughout NeAv Zealand Avill be focused on it. J The election Avill give both side s an opportunity of restating publicly their policies and of reviewing political events since Labour Avas returned to power six months ago, i Labour Possible Choice. I ’

l | The selection of the Labour can- | didate is a subject of wide speculation, keen campaigning for nomination, it is reported, having been initiated. With Christchurch South considered to be a , “safe’’ Labour electorate, the seat has ' long been considered a most desirable

one in the movement, and there is not likely to be any. shortage of aspirants, j HoAvever, the selection is generally ! recognised to lie between Miss Mabel

l HoAvard. and Mr R, M. Macfarlane. • Miss HoAvard said yesterday that she 1 I was willing to accept the Labour Party ' ' nomination. She said it was one of the i last Avishes expressed by her father 1 that she should carry on in his place, 1 and already she had received som'e hundreds of telegrams and letters urging her to place herself at the disposal of the electors. This she " r as quite willing and fully prepared to do. ! Others Avho are likely to solicit nomination are Mr E. Langley, a prominent member of tile Christchurch East branch ; Mr George Manning, a member of the City Council; Mr T. H. Langford, the No. 3 Transport Authority, and H, McCaAV, j The Labour Party members in the electorate Avill probably convey their views as to the most suitable candi. date to Mr Wilson on Wednesday, but | in Labour circles it is believed that the recommendation of the Labour Rcpre- I . sentntion Committee, representing the . Avider body of Labour electors in Cantei'bury, might have more influence Avitii the national executive. Mr Macfarlane has been secretary of the committee . for some years.

MR TAYLOR NOT AVAILABLE. GREYMOUTH, May 2. Mr E. B. E. Taylor, avlio has been mentioned as a possible National candidate for Christchurch South, stated to-day that he Avas not available, oaving to business reasons.