THE EGMONT SEAT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8191, 5 August 1912, Page 1

THE EGMONT SEAT.

AND THE LABOR PARTY HON. G. FOWLDS WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE. SPECIAL TO THE "TIMES.” AUCKLAND, August 3. A southern telegram published on AVednesday last indicated that the Hon. G. Fowlds would be asked to accept nomination as the United Labor Party’s candidate in tho by-elcctioa for the Egmont seat, rendered necessary by the resignation of the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie. The Hon. Mr Fowlds returned from a visit to tho Waikato last evening, and when seen by a “Star” representative this morning said that ho had no intention of contesting the Egmont seat. Representations had been made to him, urging that ho should accept nomination, but ho had made up his mind not to become a candidate, since ho believed that he could do more valuable work for tho party by continuing the organising and lecturing campaign which he has been carrying out in all parts of tho Dominion during tho last few months. If a suitable representative of the Labor Party came forward, howover, he would s have no hesitation in going into tno Egmont electorate and lending the candidate all tho assistance within his power. It appeared to him at present that the man with tho best claim to the support of the progressive element in the constituency was Mr Wake, who, as a candidate at the 1908 election, put up a splendid fight against Messrs Dive and Wilkinson.

Referring to the appointment of the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie as High Commissioner, Mr Fowlds said that he regarded it as a confession of political bankruptcy on the part of the Prime Minister and his party—that they had not a man within their own ranks capable of undertaking the position of High Commissioner. The question very naturally arises as to whether the appointment has been made because of special fitness for the office or in the hope of getting two additional votes for the Government by a change in the representation of Egmont. Those who know Mr Massey’s opinion of Mr Mackenzie would have no difficulty in coming to a definite conclusion on this asnect of the situation, and to his mind it was not a very good start for the incorruptible Reform Ministry. The Hon. Mr Fowlds is devoting almost the whole of his time to propaganda work in connection - with the United Labor Party, and shortly visits Waihi, Thames, Foxton, and . Palmerston North.