WELLINGTON CENTRAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16950, 9 September 1918, Page 4

WELLINGTON CENTRAL.

THE COMING BY-ELECTION

LABOUR TO CONTEST SEAT.

[BY TELECKAr-H.— CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, Sunday. Under the arrangement made when the National Cabinet was formed, the nomination of the Liberal candidate for the Wellington Central seat, rendered vacant by the death of Mr. Robert Fletcher, rests with Sir Joseph Ward, the leader of the party. Before leaving for England to attend the Imperial Conference, Sir Joseph asked the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald to act as leader of the party in his absence, and the latter is understood to be in communication with supporters of the party in Wellington Central in reference to the selection of a candidate. It is probable that a statement in reference to the matter will be made on Monday. It can be definitely stated that Labour will contest the seat, and organisations affiliated to the Labour Representation Uimmitteo have been invited to nominate a candidate. This nomination is to bo in the hands of the secretary on Friday and, if necessary, a ballot will be taken immediately afterwards. .Mr, John Read, secretary of the Enginedrivers' Union and formerly president of the Trades and Labour Council, and Mr. P. Fraser, Social Democrat, are referred to as likely Labour candidates. -Mr. P. J. O'Regan states that the announcement that he is likely to be a candidate was not authorised by him.