BAY OF PLENTY SEAT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19519, 29 December 1937, Page 4

BAY OF PLENTY SEAT

NATIONAL INTERESTS , MR SULLIVAN APPROACHED WIT A KATA NE I)E PI TTATI ON The Whakatane County Council Chambers were crowded on Christmas Eve by members of a deputation arranged to wait on Mr. W. Sullivan, Mayor of Whakatane, with the object of obtaining his consent to allow his name to go forward lor selection as candidate for the Bay of Plenty seat in the National Party interests at the forthcoming general election. The deputation consisted of prominent settlers and residents of all parts of the Whakatane County within the Bay of Plenty electorate. Mr. W. A. McCracken presided.

The secretary of the Whakatane branch, Mr. L. Buddie, explained that Mr. Sullivan had previously been requested by meetings at Gisborne and other parts of the bay to offer his services to the party, but without success. The present request was being made to Mr. Sullivan owing to the growing insistence for his candidature from all parts of the electorate. Other speakers included Mr. J. L. Burnett, Waimana, Mr. F. J. Reynolds, Thornton, Mr. C. Old. Taneatua, Messrs. W. McFarland, B. R, Barry and Neil Carter. Avoidance of Vote SplittingReference was made to the necessity for the avoidance of vote splitting, the speakers expressing the opinion that if Mr, Sullivan agreed to offer his name for selection he would not be opposed for the party’s candidature, and it would result in a straightout contest between the National and Labour candidates. All the speakers assured Mr. Sullivan of wholehearted support in the event of his contesting the seat. In reply, Mr. Sullivan said the decision was a difficult one for him to make owing to his business and other interests. However, he would be pleased to accede to the request, but would have to delay his decision until the end of January to enable him to endeavour to make arrangements for the carrying on of his business interests. He was aware of the fact that the names of prospective candidates were to be received by the Bay of Plenty committee by January 7, but it was impossible for him to make a decision before the end of the month, and therefore he could not hold out definite hope of complying with the request.

The deputation expressed a desire to do everything possible to assist Mr. Sullivan to reach a favourable decision in the matter and to assist the party’s organisation in support of his candidature.