EGMONT SEAT

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 72, 20 June 1928, Page 5

EGMONT SEAT

! HON. 0. J. HAWKEN'S ! POSITION. RUMOURS IN WELLINGTON. It is now definitely known that Mr O. A. Wilkinson, of Eltham, will: be a candidate for the Egmont seat, against the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. 0. J. Hawken), says the Wellington correspondent of the Eltham Argus. Mr/ Wilkinson will run ns an Independent, but it is rumoured that ho may throw in his lot with the United Party. Mr Wilkinson, who previously sat in Parliament as a Reform member, is considered in Wellington to be certain to gain the Egmont seat. There ir-} authority for the belief that the Hon. Hawken, recognising that the opposition is formidable, will retire from the Egmontl electorate and contest the seat for Patea, 'at present held by Mr C. J. Dickie. STRONG DENIAL. HAWKEN LOYAL TO EGMONT. The Hon. 0. J. Hawken wires as follows to the Post to-day:— "The rumour published in the Eltham Argus of yesterday that I am thinking Of contesting the Patea instead of the Egmont seat at the forthcoming general election has not the slightest foundation. Egmont has stuck loyally to me and given me additional support at each successive election and I have no intention whatever of turning mont down. Disloyalty to friends or party does not , suit my constitution.—o. Hawken."