THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20381, 12 April 1928, Page 10

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

RIVAL PARTIES PREPARING.

REFORM CAUCUS NEXT WEEK,

(Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, April 11,

The various political organisations are now busy preparing for the general election. So far as the Reform Party is concerned it is certain that most of the sitting members will stand again, but selections may have yet to be made for those seats not held by the Government. Mr Stuart Reid, M.P. for Waikato, ill a<*ain contest that seat for the Reform Party. \ caucus of the Reform members of Parliament is to be held in Wellington next Tuesday. The meeting is expected to be one of some importance, and apart altogether from questions of organisation for the general election it is anticipated that some attention will b© devoted to the business for next session, including the vexed question of licensing. It is believed that the prohibitionists in the party will try to induce the Prime Minister to introduce a Licensing Bfili again this year so that a further opportunity may be had of trying to pass a law in favour of a twoissue ballot paper and a bare majority at th© next licensing referendum. The selection of a Cabinet Minister in place of tlvs late Mr R. F. Bollard is one of the tasks the Prime Minister has still to perform, but for various reasons he may defer doing so before the general election. Unless an announcement is made before Tuesday the appointment of a new Minister will be a subject in which members of the party at the caucus will doubtless show a keen interest.

Sir John Luke will again contest Wellington North. Mr H. D. Bennett is expected to contest a seat as an Independent. Mr T. Forsyth, M.P. for Wellington East, will again contest the seat. The Labour Party’s nominations for the various Wellington seats closed at noon to-day. Mr J. Thorn, secretary of th© Wellington Representation Committee, said that nominations had been received from several organisations, but there would be no announcement in the meantime. If selection ballots were necessary they would be completed on Juno 30.