Another Aspirant For Manawatu

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 174, 26 July 1935, Page 6

Another Aspirant For Manawatu

Mr W. J. Crawford lo Stand FOUR CANDIDATES PROBABLE Tho suggestion that there will be a larger number of independent candidates than usual for the general election is borne out by the announcement of another aspirant for political honours in the Manawatu electorate. Already two have come forward, the sitting member, Mr. Joseph Linklater, in the Nationalist interest, and the Labour candidate, Air. Hunter, who

opened his campaign this week in Levin. It is freely rumoured also that a well-known Palmerston North professional man has allowed his name to go forward for nomination by tho Democrat party. A fourth aspirant now announces himself in the person of Mr. W. .7. Crawford, the well-known master printer of Palmerston North, who indicates that lie will go to tho poll as an Independent. Mr. Crawford, who is one of Palmerston’s younger business men,

has earned a reputation for energy and enterprise in the conduct of his business. He has for many years been a keen student of polities” and at the last gcncial election was invited to contest the AVaitomo seat, an imitation which has been repeated this year. -Mr. Crawford states that lie will

place in the forefront of his platform a vigorous policy of development of new industries within the Dominion and an equally vigorous policy of exploiting new markets lor onr primary produce. He anticipates launching In? campaign early in August.

Sir Charles SLatham Retiring METHODIST MINISTER MENTIONED Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, July fid. The name of Rev. L. B. Neale, the well-known Methodist minister, is being freely mentioned as the possible Nationalist candidate for Dunedjn Central from which seat Sir Charles Stathum, who is Speaker of the House of Representatives, is withdrawing. When questioned, however, Air. N'eaio was not prepared to substantiate or deny the rumour.

Would Like to Fight With Gloves Off Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Interviewed to -y following the announcement of ccision not to contest the Dunedin Central seat, Sir Charles .Statlium said that at the declaration of the poll at the last gen- 1 election lie stated it' ever he i'oug other election, he would do so w.t gloves off. In saying that he fully , ised he could not allow himself to be nominated for the Speakership after the expiration of the present Parliament. lie felt very strongly that as in England once a member became Speaker he should refrain from taking any part whatsoever an party politics or political controversy. It was not easy for a candidate to fight an election with his hands tied and while lie had no doubt he would win his old seat if he look the gloves off it would involve throwing aside his neutrality and lighting against those who had been good enough to give him their confidences and loyal support m his arduous duties as their Speaker. After very serious consideration he felt it better to retire altogether from the contest.

Sir Charles denied rumours that Jio intended to seek an easier seal. If Lo stood at alt it would be for Dunedin Central. Nationalist Organisation in Mataura DUNEDIN, .Last Night. Over 100 Reform aud United supporters in the Mataura electorate met Hon. R. Masters in Gore to-day and the decision to form a National Government was unanimously endorsed. Those present pledged themselves to use every’ endeavour to secure tho return of the selected National candidate and to this end decided to form a branch of the National Political Federation. Messrs E. H. Aiurney and T. Golder, who have been mentioned as possible candidates, were present and voluntarily stated that they were willing to submit their names to a selection committee and abide by the decision of that bodv.

Four Nationalist Aspirants for Otaki Although four names have been mentioned as prospective National Political Federation candidates for the Otaki seat, it is unlikely that the forthcoming ballot will proceed as originally' announced until the differences that have arisen are smoothed out- The prospective candidates named were Messrs G. A. Monk, A. R. Sievwrig’nt, \V. Appleton, and Dunbar Sloane. Mr Appleton lias drawn the attention of the federation ter the fact that his name w r as included without his permission. Another of the prospective candidates is believed to have taken similar aet-

ion. It is reported that the position that has arisen will be discussed by the federation executive before ihe end of the week.