BEHIND NATIONALISTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12195, 21 July 1925, Page 4

BEHIND NATIONALISTS

SUPPORT FOR NEW PARTY MR WTLFORD’S STATEMENT. ' Mr George Smith, of Gisborne, is the first electoral candidate to enter the field, under the flag ofthe new National Party. The decision to nominate Mr Smith was reached/at a branch meeting .of the National Party held at Gisborne' on Saturday nighty He is a prominent business man in Gisbornev-and was recently chairman of the Gisborne Harbour Board.. The sitting member for Gisborne is' Mr W. D. Lysnar, a supporter of the existing administration. Mr Richard Gobbe, of Feilding, is another National candidate who will oppose the Reform nominee for the Orotaa seat, now held by the Hon. D. Hr Guthrie, who is retiring. Mr Gordon Elliott is to be the Government candidate in this electorate. Mr T. M. Wilford stated yesterdax that the Gisborne branch of 'the LiberalLabour Party had changed its name to that of the new party, that the Feilding organisation had affirmed its allegianoe, and that congratulatory messages and offers of assistance had come from Aucfcland, Christchurch. Dunedin', Waimate, Marton, and Bulls. From Christchurch he had received an offer of support from a candidate who had never previously entered the field as a Liberal-Labour candidate, and from Reformers in The Wairarapa a, message that they would standi 'behind the Nationalists.