POLITICAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3875, 19 June 1928, Page 25

POLITICAL.

THE GENERAL ELECTION. MR NOSWORTHY RETIRES “ ENTITLED TO A REST.” ASHBURTON, June 12. Air W. Nosworthv, who hag represented Ashburton since 1908, announced that he will not contest the Mid-Canterbury seat at the next election. In a letter to the Guardian he says: I now desire to announce that it is m v present intention not to be a candidate. Having had 20 consecutive years of service as a member of Parliament, during nine strenuous years of which I, as a Alinister of the Crown, held important portfolios, I think I may fairly claim to be entitled to a rest, and I am sure this will not be begrudged me.” Mr W. Nosworthy (Postmastergeneral), who has announced his intention not to seek re-election to Parliament, has represented the Ashburton electorate since 1908, when he was first elected as a supporter of the Reform Party. After four years in Parliament he was, in 1912, appointed Chief Government Whip and was also Chief Whip during the life of ,the National Government. In September, 1919, Mr Nosworthy was appointed Alinister of Agriculture, Tourist Resorts, and Immigration, and upon the death of Mr Massey, also took the portfolio of Finance, being succeeded by Air Downie Stewart in Alay, 1926. A fewmonths previously Air Hawken had taken oyer Agriculture. Mr Nosworthy was also Minister of Internal Affairs, this portfolio being, taken over recently by t. e Prime Minister. On the reconstruction of the Cabinet owing to the appointment of Sir James Parr as High Commissioner, Air Nosworthy became Postmastergeneral and Alinister-in-Charge of Stamp cm,’ . wa S a, . so Minister-in-Charge or telegraphs, Legislative Departments Government Life Insurance, State Fire and Accident Insurance, and Public Service Superannuation Departments.

THE HURUNUI SEAT. ASHBURTON, June 14. Air W. Nosworthy announces that an effort has been made to induce him to stand for the Hurunui seat, at present held by Air G. W. Forbes, at the forthcoming election, but he cannot see his way to accede to the request.

THE EGAIONT SEAT. ELTHAM, June 12. A meeting of Nationalists, Liberals, and others opposed to the Reform Govern ment was held in the Town Hall last night. Delegates from various centres in the Egmont electorate were present, and expressed the almost unanimous wish that Air C. A. Wilkinson should stand against Air 0. J. Hawken (Alinister of Agriculture) at the general election. Air W‘. C. Green, who contested the seat at the last election, was present, and stated that his present intention was to be a candidate in the National-Liberal interests. but he would be guided by his committee, drawn from the districts around the coast. The meeting unanimously resoJ.vei? a deputation wait on Mr AX ilkinson, who later arrived at the meeting, and was enthusiastically received. Air Wilkinson explained hi s position, stating that he could stand only as an independent, and he would not oust the Government unless there was a better one to replace it. At present there was no party in sight with a policy or a leader to which he could be attached. He could not support the Labour Party in a non-confidence motion against the Government, but would support measures irrespective of party. * Air Wilkinson promised to give a reply to the request within a week. THE PAHIATUA SEAT. PAHIATUA, June 14. Air E. A. Ransom, the member for Pahiatua, addressed a meeting of supporters last night. He announcedis intention again to contest the seat. A strong committee w-as formed to further his candidature. THE WAIKATO ELECTORATE. HAMILTON, June 14. The Reform Party delegates in the Waikato electorate met at Alorrinsvills this afternoon to select a candidate, Air Stewart Reid, the sitting member being selected. The defeated nominee was Mr S. N. Ziman, a former Rhodes Scholar and Indian civil sdhvant, who is now farming at Cambridge.

LABOUR CANDIDATES SELECTED. WELLINGTON, June 17. The names of four further candidates who have been selected to contest seats at the coming general election on behalf of the New Zealand Labour Party were announced yesterday. They are as follow:—■

Tauranga—Air D. C. Chalmers. Alarsden —Mr W. H. Chetham. Alasterton —Mr B. Roberts. Waitomo—Air C. Croall. . * With the exception of Air Chalmers, all the candidates named are working farmers. Mr Chalmers is a barrister and solicitor, practising in Whakatane, and was for some years Mayor of the town. Air C. Croall is a dairy fanner at Alahoenui, in the King Country. He is a successful cattle breeder. Mr W. H. Chetham is farming at Takahiwai, on Whangarei Harbour. He is chairman of the Settlers' Association, and has done much work on behalf of the farmers of tha district.' Mr Ben Roberts, the candidate for Alasterton, is a well-known dairy farmer in the Wairarapa, who for soma years was president of the .Dairy Farmers* Union. He has always been intensely interested in Labour, social, and reu> gious questions. . - -