THE TAURANGA SEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18341, 6 March 1923, Page 6

THE TAURANGA SEAT.

SIR J. WARD'S DECISION. NO ANNOUNCEMENT YET. MEETING OF LIBERALS. OFFER OF PARTY'S SUPPORT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA, Monday. A very representative meeting of deleRates of the Liberal Party from all parts of the Tail ran Ra electorate decided unanimously to-night to request Sir Joseph Ward to contest the seat, in the interests of the Liberal Party. Mr. Robert. King presided, and also present were Messrs. W. A. Veitch and R. Masters, M.P.'s. on behalf of the Liberal Party's executive. Mr. Thomas Lochhead, farmer, of Tauranga, who has been suggested as the Country Party nominee, declared he would have pleasure in supporting Sir Joseph Ward's candidature. Several other delegates offered staunch support, "nil said they considered there were good prospects of his election. Sir Joseph Ward said he appreciated the unanimity of the representations made, but he would not give a definite decision until to-morrow afternoon. If a candidate he would do his very best to win the seat. He felt much improved in health, and could stand a stiff campaign. If he secured the loyal support as promised he had very little doubt the seat would once again be represented by a Literal. The meeting was very enthusiastic.

UNANIMOUS INVITATION. STATEMENT BY MR. WILFORD. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Monday. A statement regarding the selection of a candidate for the Trturanga seat was made this evening by the leader of the Opposition, Mr. T. M. Wilford. He said he had been advised that the meeting of delegates of the Liberal-Labour Party at Te Aroha to-night, unanimously and enthusiastically declared in favour of Sir Joseph Ward as the official candidate of the party. When waited on, Sir Joseph Ward expressed his gratitude for their good wishes and unanimous resolution. He promised to give his answer to-mor-row afternoon.

WRIT NOT YET ISSUED. THE LABOUR CANDIDATE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TAURANGA, Monday. The writ for. holding the by-election for Tauranga has not been issued yet. It is understood that it has been delayed by tho fact that an election is to be held for the Tauranga Licensing Committee on March 13. The supplementary roll for this election has been closed, and copies will be available to-morrow. A further supplementary roll will be issued if necessary, closing on the day the writ is issued. A meeting of members 'and supporters of the Labour Party convened by Mr. J. Purtell. and held in Tauranga on Saturday night, was not largely attended. Mr. Purtell explained that it was the intention of the Lebour Party to contest the byelection. It was preferred that a candidate should be elected from the district, but if that was not possible one would have to be sought elsewhere. At the conclusion of the meeting a resolution wjis carried that a branch of the Labour Party be formed in Tauranga. In the course of his address, Mr. Purtell stated that Mr. 0. E. Burton, of Auckland, had been suggested as a probable candidate. Mr. Cotter, of Hinuera, had, he stated, declined to stand.