POLITICAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 50

POLITICAL.

THE GENERAL ELECTION. THE ELTHAM SEAT. ELTHAM, May 8. A meeting of delegates from outlying centres of the electorate and the Eltham National-Liberals in Eltham last night was attended by over 40. Rahotu reported the nomination of Mr W. C. Green (of Rahotu) as candidate to contest the seat in the interests of the party, but he was willing to withdraw in favour of any selected condidate. The meeting unanimously favoured Mr C. A. Wilkinson as representative of the party’s interests. Mr Wilkinson gave a non-commital reply, stating that if he accepted nomination it would be as an Independent. The meeting elected a strong Eltham committee, and decided on the organisation of the electorate, and it postponed the selection of a candidate until a further meeting in Eltham in a month’s time. OTAGO CENTRAL. Mr Charles Todd, now announced as definitely a candidate for the Otago Central electorate, was asked by electors residing at Tarras, Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Miller’s Flat, Lawrence, and lieriot to offer his services. He is standing as a supporter of the Reform Party, having some to the conculsion that there arc only two parties in politics—Labour v. the Rest, and that the Rest must come together one of these days. Mr Todd’s father managed the Bendigo mine at Cromwell in the early days, and in 1884 settled in Heriot, where the present candidate lived until he came to Dunedin in 1915. MR HORN’S INTENTIONS. Mr James Horn, M.P., has announced that he will again be a candidate for the Wakatipti seat at the general election. SEATS IN OTAGO. Mr William Wright, of Caversham, informs us that when he was approached on behalf of the United Party and asked, to stand for Parliament he pointed out that at present it would be difficult for him to spare the time if elected; but the deputation asked him not to make that answer final, and so the matter stands at present. Mr J. P. Walls, Mayor of Mosgiel, has consented to contest a seat in the interest of the United Party. AUCKLAND SEATS. An Auckland message states that the following candidates have been announced by the United Political Party:—Mr J. B. Donald, City East; Mr R. H. Greville, Waitemata; Mr A. J. Stallworthy, Eden. CANDIDATES SELECTED. AUCKLAND, May 10. Mr W. T. F. Keils-Mason, a solicitor has been selected to contest the Manukau seat in the interests of the United Party. THAMES. Mav 10. At the meeting of the Thames Reform League last evening, Mr A. M. Samuel, tne present member for Ohinemuri. was asked to represent Thames electorate at the next election, Mr T. W, Rhodes having announced that he is not standing. The latter was present, and stated that Mr Samuel was a energetic worker, and no one was able to serve the electorate better. . Mr Samuel agreed to accept nomination. NEW CANDIDATE FOR OROUA. 'WANGANUI, May 11. A report has gained currency that Mr J. G. Cobbe, chairman of directors of the Feilding Freezing Works, intends to contest the Oroua scat at the general election, Mr Cobbe has been urged for many years to contest the seat in the Liberal interests, but he has always refused to take up politics, preferring to devote his time and energy to his late business at Feilding. and subsequently to his farming intai’*‘s up the Wanganui River. Mr Cobbe’s son Richard twice tried, but faile'd, to capture the Reform seat. If Mr Cobbe, sen., should consent he will have a great following, and even Reform supporters consider that with such a popular candidate the Reform seat will be in jeopardy. THE NAPIER SEATS. At a ballot of the Napier branch of the Labour Party, Mr W. E. Barnard, barrister, of Helensville, was chosen as the Labour candidate to contest the Napier seat at the general election. SESSION OF PARLIAMENT. TO OPEN ON JUNE 28. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. WELLINGTON, May 10. Replying to a question to-day whether the date for the opening of the coming session of Parliament had been fixed the Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) said that his Excellency the GovernorGeneral had signed a proclamation convening Parliament for the despatch of business on Thursday, June 28. At present Parliament stands prorogued until June 7, but the usual formal extension will be made by proclamation published in the Gazette. It is expected that the session will last for about three months, concluding towards the end of September or the beginning of October, and allowing an interregnum of six or seven weeks for the campaign preceding the general election, if it is held about the middle of November.”

AN AUCKLAND MOVE. LIBERAL AND UNITED PARTIES. AUCKLAND, May 11. After several conferences with representatives of the United Political Party, the executive of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Liberal Party met lasl evening and decided by resolution to amalgamate with the United Party. The Liberals have had a strong organisation working in and around Auckland for the past twelve months, but being one in objective with the United Party it was determined that the only way to assist in the attainment of that objective was to unify and bring under one organisation all the forces opposed to the present Administration. “The unanimity at the decisive meeting among the members of the Liberal Executive at Auckland is worthy of mention,” said Mr R. B. Spiers, Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Liberal Party, when interviewed regarding the amalgamation. Mr Spiers expressed his pleasure at the merger which had taken place between the Liberal Party and the United Political Party. He was of opinion that such action would help to make possible the attainment of sound and progressive government in New Zealand, and concentration under one organisation, lie felt, was the only effective manner of replacing the present Administration. MR COATES UNDISMAYED. THAMES, May j 1. When the message regarding the Liberal-United fusion was shown to Mr Coates this afternoon he laughed' and said: “ Good. Let ’em all come. The more the merrier.” Evidently “ them all ” includes this Labour Party also, since jt is opposed to the present Administration. WOMEN CANDIDATES. It is stated, to be the object of the United Political Party to be represented at the General Election by a number of women candidates, and among those who may carry its ■ banner is Mrs Taylor, widow of the late Mr T. E. Taylor, who has been approached and asked to contest Christchurch North in the party's interests. Mrs Taylor will signify whether she is prepared to do so within a few days. MR TAPLEY’ AND DUNEDIN NORTH. It has been reported from London that Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P. for Dunedin North, has much improved in health as the result of his sojourn abroad. Before ho left New Zealand Mr Tapley’s health was causing some of his friends a little concern, but the latest advices received by cable a few days ago indicate that his health has never been better, that lie will be back in New Zealand in time for the forthcoming session, and that shortly afterwards he will address his constituents, giving an account of his stewardship. Mr Tapley will again offer his services to the electors of Dunedin North next November. During his stay in England he has been closely studying economic problems, particularly as they affect unemployment, and he hopes, as the result of his investigations, to be able to contribute useful suggestions for the mitigation of this evil. JUNIOR REFORM LEAGUE. BRANCH FORMED IN DUNEDIN. A meeting of those interested in the formation of a local branch of the Junior Reform and Constitutional League was held in the Somerset Lounge on Friday evening. Mr D. S. M'Ghie, who is the founder of the movement in the Dominion, gave an address on the aims and objects of the league. He stated that although only a short time had elapsed since the formation of the league there were already six branches functioning actively in Wellington, each with a large and increasing membership. Several of those present expressed their approval of the projected formation of a branch in Dunedin, recognising that the movement would serve effectively to cater for tho political education on sound lines of young voters of both sexes. After a resolution providing for the establishment of a branch had been carried a strong committee was set up to make arrangements for the inaugural meeting which will be held in a few weeks' time. Mr R. S. M. Sinclair occupied the chair. LABOUR’S ACTIVITIES. The Otago Labour Representation Committee is. now getting its house in order preparatory to the general elections, which it is expected will be held in November next. Much grumbling is said to be going on amongst the members of the committee, mostly in relation to the unsuitability of several of the candidates. It is also understood that there is a plethora of candidates. The Labour Party has a complicated method of choosing its candidates, which provides for a selection ballot among the aspirants who are to be chosen to carry the Labour banner. This constitution of the party provides that a person must be on the approved list kept by the National Party in Wellington. This list involves a person signing a pledge to abide by the party’s platform and decisions of the annual , conferences. Also, he must be a finan-

cial member of a branch or an affiliated trades union, and he has to be proposed by six financial members of the party. There are at present about 200 persons, including women, on the .Labour Party’s approved list. Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch have now selected their candidates to contest the respective city seats, but Dunedin seems to be slow in this matter, and the nominations .do not close until May 31. There are five seats under consideration at present, namely, Dunedin North, Dunedin West, Dunedin Central, Dunedin South, and Chalmers. From what can be ascertained amongst members of the Labour Party the following persons are mentioned as likely to contest the various selection ballots:—Dunedin North, Messrs J. W. Munro, and J. Gilchrist; Dunedin West, Messrs S. Gaspar, R. Harrison, and G. Geddes; Dunedin Central—Messrs J. Gilchrist and F. Jones and Mrs Herbert; Dunedin South, Messrs F. Jones, J. Robinson, and R. W. Hall; Chalmers—Messrs N. Campbell and M. Connolly. The annual conference which was held at Easter in Wellington, is said to have given a new impetus to the committee, and the recent dissensions within its ranks now seem to have been eradicated. Mr J. Munro, as president, is regarded as having been responsible for bringing the two sections together. The question of present interest in Labour circles is: “Who are going to be the successful candidates in the selection ballots?” A representative opinion expresses the view that the following persons are likely to receive the majority support when the results are known: — Dunedin North, Mr J. W. Munro; Dunedin West, an even contest between Messrs Harrison and Geddes (Mr Harrison contested the seat in the Labour interests at the last election) ; Dunedin Central, Mr Gilchrist seems to have lost a lot of ground, and there is a feeling ainongt Labour supporters that Mr Gilchrist cannot make a good showing against Sir Charles Statham, the present member. Labour’s hope in this contest seems to rally round Mrs Herbert, who has good platform ability and is well liked in the movement; Dunedin South, Mr R. W. Hall (Mayor of St. Kilda) appears to be a certainty for selection against Messrs Robinson and Jones. The two last-named are not so well known, and would not appear to hold the same chance of winning the seat as Mr Hall; Chalmers, Mr N. Campbell at present seems to be favoured for selection, although Mr Connolly, who has also been nominated, contested the seat the last election.