THE VACANT SEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23620, 2 April 1940, Page 6

THE VACANT SEAT

AUCKLAND WEST RETICENCE OF PARTIES' QUESTION OF CANDIDATES Official reticence marks the attitude of both the Labour Party and the National Party in Auckland, in connection with the filling of the Auckland West seat in the House of Representatives, rendered vacant by the death of the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage. On behalf of the Auckland Labour Representation Committee and the Auckland branch of the National Party, it was stated yesterday that nothing had been done toward the selection of candidates to contest a by-election. Whether or not a by-election will be necessary is at present uncertain, as there is yet no indication whether the National Party will put forward a candidate. The president of the Auckland branch, Air. 11. Clinton Savage, said yesterday that neither the branch nor the headquarters office of the party in Wellington had yet considered the question of Auckland West. He added that as far as he knew the party caucus to bo held in Wellington this week did not concern the vacant seat. That the Labour Party will have a candidate is certain, and already the names of several possible nominees, including one woman, are being freely, if unofficially, discussed. Mr. J. Sayegli, president of the Auckland Labour Representation Committee, said yesterday that nominations would be submitted to a meeting of Labour Party members and members of affiliations living in the electorate when instructions to this effect were received from the national office of the party. A representative of the national office would attend, and on hearing his report, the office would select a candidate.