POSITION OF LIBERALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19027, 26 May 1925, Page 11

POSITION OF LIBERALS.

TWO CANDIDATES OFFER. MR. VEITCH COMING NORTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION. J WELLINGTON. Monday. Tho Leader of tho Opposition, Mr. T. M. Wilford, stated to-day that on account of there being two Liberal candidates offering for the Franklin seat and representations having been made by electors in favour of each, he bad asked Mr. W. A. Veiteh, chairman of tho Liberal-Lab-our party's Organisation Committee, to proceed North and confer with the supporters of the two candidates and the Auckland Provincial Council in order that the executive of tho party here might decide what action should be taken. The executive of the Auckland Liberal and Labour Federation, to which the Wellington message was referred last night, stated that the matter was still in hand, but there was nothing to communicate for the present.

SUPPORTER OF FUSION.

SIR JOHN LUKE'S VIEW. [by telegraph.—toess association, j WELLINGTON, Monday. In an interview to-day Sir John Luke said: "1 am prepared to throw my weight on the side of those who counsel coalition of the Liberal and Reform parties, thus avoiding a three-party contest at the election." He considered fusion should take place in the immediate future, and the combined parties should be able to go to the country with a set of proposals acceptable to the people. THE CANTERBURY SEATS. LABOUR PREPARING. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] CIIRISTCHURCH. Monday. The Labour Representation Committee has dealt with the nomination of candidates in the Labour interest for Canterbury seats not already represented by Labour. For Christchurch North Mr. F. R. Cooke was nominated as the official Labour candidate. As to Riccarton, it was decided to communicate with the main branch. Messrs. J. A. McCullough, G. H. Thompson and Winter Cole are on the approved list but Mr. McCullough has indicated his disinclination to be nominated-, and the choice is likely to be between the two others. As to Kaiapoi the committee is geUing in touch with the people interested with a view to a candidato being .'selected. Nothing has been done yet in respect to Ellorsmere and as to Ilurunui there is a possibility that an effort will be made to select a Labour candidate. With regard, to the National Campaign Fund of £20.000 it was announced that amounts paid and promised in Christchurch totalled £445. The national executive of the Labour Party has appointed Mr. I). G. Sullivan, M.P., its organiser in the Canterbury country electorates.