GENERAL ELECTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 13

GENERAL ELECTION

MR. STALLWORTHY DECIDES DEMOCRAT SUPPORTER ANOTHER CHANGE IN POLITICS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER"! WELLINGTON, Thursday An announcement definitely aligning himself with the Democrat Party was made to-day by Mr. A. J. Stall worthy, who has represented Eden in the House of Representatives siuco 1928, first as a supporter of and member of the Cabinet in Sir Joseph Ward's United Government and more recently as an Independent. Speculation regarding Mr. Stallworthy's political future was caused by his attendance at the Democrat Party's conference of candidates in Wellington shortly before the opening of the present session of Parliament. Although he spoke enthusiastically of the party and its aims after the conference, he did not definitely ally himself with the Democrats until to-day. Mr. Stallworthy's announcement was devoted mainly to criticism of the Hon. W. Downie Stewart's speech at Duno.din on Monday night, which seems to have decided his course of action.

Mr. Stall worthy said the suggestion of Mr. Stewart that after the election "a number of Independents and groups of moderates should be able to recreate and fortify the National Government Pnrty" was pure temporising which would not be tolerated by tho people. Mr. Stewart had resigned from the * Cabinet because in his opinion that Government had "violated the principles of public good faith," and hia latest suggestion that the electors should mend tho Government rather than end it was plainly inconsistent condoning. The present Government wouid •• p merely lead to Fascism or anarchy. The electors were entitled to a clear declaration of policy at the election, Mr. Stallworthy continued, and an honourable fulfilment of that policy. They should avoid the danger of tho possible formation of a Government through private intrigue, personal selfishness and organised wire-pulling. The Democrat Party had announced the basis of its policy and he was confident it would receive support.. After Mr. Stalhvorthy's return to Parliament in the general election of 1928 he was appointed Minister of Health in the United Ministry and held office until the reorganisation of • the Cabinet following on the formation of the Coalition Government in 1931. At the general election that year he stood as a supporter of the Coalition, but later left the Government ranks to become a straight-out .Independent, Exactly the same course was followed by Mr. W. A. Veitch, deputy-leader for the Democrat Party in the North Island and the only other member of tho party at present in the House.

WAITEMATA SEAT GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE MR. A. MACGREGOR CHOSEN The National Government candidate for Waitemata at the general election will be Mr. Alexander Macgregor, headmaster of the Mount Eden School. Ninety-eight delegates from all parts of the electorate met at the party headquarters, Queen's Arcade, last night to make the selection. Mr. R. Fisher presided.

The four nominees for the party imprimatur, Messrs. Macgregor, A. G. Quartley, E. W. Alison, junior, and W. K. Howitt, addressed the meeting before the bailot was taken. It was stated officially later that two ballots were necessary to obtain a majority for the successful nominee, and that appreciation had been expressed of the manner in which the ballots had been taken. Mr. Macgregor's name will be forwarded to the party leaders, Mr. Forbes and Mr. Coates.'for their approval.

Mr. Macgregor has a fine record of public service, particularly during his residence in Whangarei, where he was headmaster of the Whangarei school for a number of years. He was formerly chief assistant at the Devonport School, whioh ho left to take up his post in Whangarei. He did noB confine his activities to the school, but took a prominent part in various schemes for the improvement of the town of Whanjjarei. He was also well known in sporting circles, having been president of the Whangaroi Rugby TJnion, and one of the founders of the Whangarei Boxing Association, as well aa taking part in other sporting activities. Mr. Macgregor is keenly interested in the teaching of swimming among the young people, and was the foundation president of the Auckland Primary Schools Swimming and Life-Saving Association, and is president of the Royal LifeSaving Society. He is an able speaker and has previously been asked to stand for Parliament, but has declined because he has had so much other work to occupy his time. Mr. A. Harris, who has been member of Parliament for Waitemata since 1911, is not seeking re-election. PARNELL ELECTORATE r SIR A. HERDMAN TO SPEAK The election campaign in the Parnell electorate will bo opened on Monday night, when Sir Alexander Herdman will- deliver a public address in the Remuera Library. Mr. J. B. Paterson will preside. AUCKLAND SUBURBS GOVERNMENT PARTY BALLOT A conference of delegp'cs from the. Auckland Suburbs electorate will be held on October 7 to select the National Government candidate for the seat. The two candidates who are seeking the nomination are Mr. W. A. Bishop and Mr. T. A. Bishop, and after hearing; them tho delegates will make their choice by ballot.