THE HURUNUI SEAT.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LI, Issue 69, 27 August 1931, Page 2

THE HURUNUI SEAT.

NOMINATION OF LABOUR CANDIDATE UNCERTAIN QUESTION OF FINANCE. The North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee will reach a decision early next month regarding the question of whether a Labour candidate will be nominated for the Hurunui seat against the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon G. W. Forbes. In the event of the committee deciding to contest the seat, it is practically certain that Air C. Morgan Williams, of Ohoka, will be selected as the Labour candidate. Air R. M. Alacfarlane, secretaiy of the Labour Representation Committee said yesterday that finance was the main stumbling-block in connection with the Hurunui seat, but he thought this difficulty would be overcome and a Labour candidate nominated. “Hurunui is a difficult electorate for a Labour candidate,” ho added, “but men who know the district well express the opinion that if wc run a candidate he will poll a vote that will surprise the whole Dominion. Wc will reach a decision regarding the matter after a meeting to be held early in Beptember. ” In addition to Mr Morgan Williams there are several other men willing to contest the seat in the Labour interest if satisfactory finance can be arranged. NO PARTY CANDIDATE WANTED. Ata meeting of Reform supporters in the Waiau, Rotherham, and Culverden districts, held at Rotherham on Tues, day evening, a motion against the nomination of a Reform candidate for the Hurunui electorate was carried with one dissentient. Air Al. Bethell presided over an attendance of about 25 and explained that the purpose of the meeting was . to discuss Reform’s representation in the constituency iu the next General Election. Air Bethell said that he was opposed to the nomination of a Reform eandi date. His x iew w’as supported by Messrs L. R. C. Alacfarlane, W. J. Black, and A. Fisher. Air H. Ingram was the only speaker in favour of Reform contesting the seat. On the motion of Air Bethell, second cd by Air Alacfarlane, the following resolution was carried:—“That this meeting of supporters of the Reform Party in the Waiau, Culverden, and Rotherham districts, while affirming its confidence in the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coata-r as leader, is of the opinion that under the existing circumstances no candidate should be nominated in opposition to the Prime Alinister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. ’ ’ Air Ingram was the only dissentient. A supplementary motion, also carried, stated: “Before any prospective candidate receives the official support of the Canterbury Divisional Executive of the Reform Party a meeting of delegates representative of the whole electorate should be called to discuss the situation. ’ ’ Alessrs Bethell, Alacfarlane, and W. D. Banks were appointed delegates to represent the Waiau, Culverden, and Rotherham districts at any such meeting.