EX-MINISTER RETIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21029, 13 November 1931, Page 11

EX-MINISTER RETIRES.

MR. DONALD'S DECISION. AUCKLAND EAST SEAT. FILLING THE VACANCY. SIR G. RICHARDSON INVITED. The withdrawal from the election contest of Mr. J. B. Donald, present member and official Coalition candidate for Auckland East, and former Postmaster-General in the United Party Ministry, was a surprising development in the political world last evening. Another announcement of outstanding interest was that Sir George Richardson, who was the Reform candidate for the seat, and retired in favour of Mr. Donald as the Coalition candidate, has been approached to offer his services again. Although Sir George did not give a definite reply it is possible that lie will be a candidate. Mr. Donald announced his decision at a meeting of friends and supporters in the Parnell Library Ilall last evening. After reviewing the events which led to the formation of the Coalition Government, Mr. Donald said ho regretted that circumstances had arisen which prevented him from contesting the seat at this election. He urged all his supporters to rally round the Coalition candidate, who was yet to be chosen, and assured them that ho would do his part to secure the Coalition candidate's return. The following resolution was carried unanimously:— "That this meeting desires to express to Mr. Donald its appreciation of his faithful and untiring services to the Auckland East electorate during the past three years, and expresses its keen regret, at 1) is retirement from politics, which retirement it is hoped will bo temporary. It further congratulates him on his sacrifice in laying down Ministerial rank to enable a Coalition Government to bo formed." In expressing his deep appreciation of the kind expressions of the meeting, Mr. Donald assured them that perhaps on so mo future occasion, should his be required and time and business permitted, ho would seriously consider giving effect to the wishes of the electorate. Tho candidates who now remain in the field in Auckland East are Miss E. Melville, women's candidate, Mr. J. A. Arthur, Independent, and Mr. F. W. Schramm, Labour. The position in Auckland West, the other Auckland electorate which claims a large sharo of interest, remains unaltered. The committees working on bo half of Mr. J. A. C. Allum and Mr. 11. I{. McKenzie are still actively engaged on behalf of their candidates. In Aianukau Mr. S. Rickards, who lias been left a clear field as Coalition candidate rgainst Mr. W. J. Jordan, Labour, as the result of the withdrawal of Mr. M. J. Moore, expects to receive official endorsement shortly. POLLING DAY OFFICIALS. WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. [ill* TELEGRAPH. —PIIEPS ASSOCIATION.] WELLING TON, Thursday. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said arrangements would be made to engage a number of the unemployed as poll clerks and other officers connected with the booths at the forthcoming elections. COALITION IN O AMARU. A REFORM OPPONENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION*. ] OAMARU, Thursday. At a meeting of Reform supporters this evening Mr. John Kirkness, who was selected as the official Reform candidate before the formation of the Coalition, announced his continued intention of contesting the Oamam seat against Mr. J. A. Macpherson (Coalitionist). The decision had the unanimous support of the meeting. INVERCARGILL INTERESTS. THREE CANDIDATES PROBABLE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARC-ILL, .Thursday. At a meeting of supporters of Mr. E. I. MeChesney to-night, the candidate announced himself as standing in the Liberal interests, and said he would support tho Coalition Government on a voto of no-confidence, but reserved the right to vole as he desired on all other matters. It is understood that Colonel J. Jlargest, will be the Reform candidate for Invercargill. Mr. W. C. Denham is tho Labour candidate.