NOT A CANDIDATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26243, 29 August 1946, Page 6

NOT A CANDIDATE

MR NEILSON RETIRES PERSONAL AND PRIVATE REASONS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON. Aug. 28. An announcement that he would not be a candidate at the coming general election was made to-day by Mr P. Neilson, Labour M.P. for Dunedin Central. • Mr Neilson has represented this electorate in the House of Representatives since 1935. when he succeeded Sir Charles Statham- He said that for personal and private reasons he was not seeking re-election to Parliament. Born in Dunedin, Mr Neilson was educated at the George Street Public School, afterwards becoming apprenticed to the bakery trade. He became foreman for the firm of Campbell and Auld, and in 1914 he entered into partnership with Mr J. W. Munro, M.P. for Dunedin North, whose death occurred last year. They later

disposed of the business, and Mr Neilson was appointed foreman for Grimmett and Sons, a position he held until his election to Parliament.

Mr Neilson is a former president of the Dunedin Bakers and Pastrycooks’ Union, and secretary of the the Otago Labour Representation Committee. Wherrhe first contested th'e Dunedin Central seat in 1931 he was the first Labour candidate to oppose a sitting Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sir Charles Statham, then Speaker of the House, secured a majority of 262 votes- Before the 1935 election Sir Charles announced his retirement, and Mr Neilson defeated the present Mayor of Dunedin, Mr Carneron, by 1729 votes. * He was reelected at the general elections in 1938 and 1943.

On the completion of his work as a member of Parliament Mr Neilson intends to take up his residence in Gisborne. .. .

Fresh nominations are being called by the Otago Labour Representation Committee to fill the vacancy in the new Mornington seat caused by Mr Neilson’s retirement. • '