LIVELY CAMPAIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25673, 23 October 1944, Page 4

LIVELY CAMPAIGN

POLITICAL PARTIES IN AWARUA STRONG TEAMS OF SPEAKERS ’ Neither the National Party nor the Labour Party (states the Southland Times) is taking the contest for Aawrua lightly. The National Party, which has held the seat since 1935, Is leaving nothing to chance, and is bring* ing a strong team of speakers to the electorate. These men, plus the Labour Party’s strong contingent, should provide the electors of Awarua with a lively campaign. ; The National candidate, Mr G. R. Herron, got off to a flying start and had covered a good deal of ground before the Labour Party opened its campaign. Last week, however, the Labour candidate, Mr L. S. O’Sullivan, was able to make up much of the leeway with the assistance of Mr A. G. Osborne, M.P. for Onehunga, and Mr C. M. Williams, M.P. for Kaiapoi. On Friday the Labour Party played a strong card—the Prime Minister addressed a crowded meeting at Winton. The National Party’s riposte will come to-night, when the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, will speak at Winton. In addition to Mr Holland, the.. National Party will, by then, have in the electorate Mr F. W. Doidge, the member for Tauranga, Mr R. M. Algie, who represents Remuera, and Mr T. L. Macdonald, the member for Matuara. Later in the week the party will also have in the field Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P. for Pahiatua, and Mr W. Sullivan, M.P. for Bay of Plenty. The wcrk already done for the Labour Party by Mr M. Williams, who has returned north, and Mr Osborne will be carried on this week by the Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr C. F. Skinner, Mr P. G. Connolly, M.P. for Dunedin West, and probably another prominent Labour member. Then, of course, there are the candidates themselves. Including Mr R. J. Henderson (Real Democracy Movement), who is campaigning without support, there will be 10 speakers in action when the campaign enters its final week to-night. Addresses will be given at Winton, Greenhills, Woodlands, Kennington, West Plains, Otahuti, Grove Bush, Rimu, and Otatara.

The by-election has been caused by the death in action of Brigadier J. Hargest, who had been the member for Awarua since 1935. In the general election that year he had a majority of 950 over the Labour candidate, Mr T. F. Doyle. There were two other candidates, Mr L. A. Niederer (Democrat), and Mr N. Mclntyre (Independent), who between them polled 2483 votes. In a straight-out ccntest in 1938 Brigadier Hargest retained the. seat with a majority of 660, his opponent being Mr J. A. Beck (Labour). There was no contest at the general election Last year.