A PROPER DECISION

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11402, 22 March 1930, Page 5

A PROPER DECISION

MR. JENKINS WILL RESIGN

AND RE-CONTEST PARNELL SEAT.

Electric Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. Last Night. Mr H. R. Jenkins. M.P. for Parnell, states that lie intends resigning and re-contesting the Parnell seat.

In giving his reasons for resigning the Parnell seat, Mr Jenkins said : “I feel that some, electors may have voted for me because of S*ir Joseph Ward’s platform. Even if that section is only 10 per cent, of the electors or even if it is as low as 5 per cent., I feel 1 should give them an opportunity to vote for a candidate of their own choosing.'’ In reviewing bj s iv rent resignation from the United ’-’arty Mr penkins said he had no, alternative but to take that step. “The caucus asked me to withdraw my statements concerning the party and I certainly could not do that and he truthful,” he said. On being asked under what banner he proposed to contest the by-elec-tion, Mr Jenkins first explained that unofficial overtures had recently been made to him by the Reform party. “If those overtures are sufficiently pressing, I would consider standing in the' interests of the Reform party. If not, I Will come out as an Independent Reform. Candida,to. or as a straight-out Independent. I want to say, however, that 'hors is no collusion between Mr Con tes and myself in this matter 1 intimated to a Reform supporter in the Legislative Council a short time ago that. 1 would consider standing 'as, a, Reform candidate but I have not heard from Mr Coates on that matter. “My main desire- is- to see Reform and United a,j one strong party in the House, to stem the, tide of socialism.”

Mr J. Treve,thick, chairman of the Auckland provincial executive of the United party, said the. party would certainly contest the seat. Mr J. S. Dickson, former Reform member for Parnell, said he would stand as a Reform candidate, whatever happened. Labour is also determined to contest the, seat. THE COMING SESSION. DUNEDIN, Last Night. While speaking at a. social gathering, the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. B. Taverner) said that most of the legislation ijor the coming session was now in preparation, and the Prime Minister would shortly announce it. The United party was as united as ever, said Mr Taverner. He trusted that Sir Joseph Ward’s health would soon enable him to take a more active part m th© government of the country. Mr Taverner said that liis 12 months’ association with Sir Joseph Ward, confirmed liis high opinion and affection for the Prime Minister. A motion of confidence in the Government and hop© for Sir Joseph Ward’s speedy restoration to health was carried unanimously.