WELLINGTON, CENTRAL SEAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17428, 24 September 1918, Page 6

WELLINGTON, CENTRAL SEAT

SIX CANDIDATES NOMINATED. (Peu United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Soptembor 23. The nominations for Wellington Central seat, rendered vacant by the death of Mr Fletcher, are:— William Thomas Hildreth, National Government candidate. Cyril William Tanner. National Democrat. Peter Fraser, Labour. Matthew Joseph Mack, Independent Labour. .Harry Atmore, Independent Liberal. Lindsay John Frederick Garmson, returned soldier Tho election will take place on October 3.' MR MACK'S CANDIDATURE. OPPOSITION BY RAILWAY WORKERS. (Pes Uwitid Pbbss ABSOcii.no*. i TIMARU, September 23. Tlie Timaru branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants has passed a resolution regretting Mr Mack's candidature for Wellington Central as likely io split I the Labour vote and so endanger the prospects of tho candidate democratically chosen by Labour bodies. At a largely-attended meeting of railway workers at Groymouth the following resolution was carried:—"That, having considered the reply of Mr Mack, the general secretary. giv.ng his reasons for contest.ng the Wellington Central seat, in opposition to the official representative of tlie New Zealand Labour Party, we wish to entirely dissociate ourselves from his action, which is contrary to the wishes of a large number of railway workers. We believe that any attempt made to prolong the l.fe of the present National Government, and consequently tho high cost of living, is a calamity from the point of view of the workers of this dominion." ELECTION PROSPECTS. (Fbom Odb Own Correspondent ) WELLINGTON, September 23. It is generally admitted that only three candidates have any chance of winning the seat—Messrs Fraser, Hildreth, and Mack. The other will get all their votes from the anti-Government candidates—Messrs Fraser and Mack, —and to this extent their candidature should help Mr Hildreth. The Government will need all their assistance to win the seat. Unless Mr Mack does very badly in tho fight, he should be first or second on polling day. Mr FraseT has not stirred up any enthusiasm at his meetings, and it would appear that he is going to make a failure in this contest.