THE EGMONT SEAT

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1928, Page 9

THE EGMONT SEAT

HON. O. J. HAWKEN’S POSITION. The Hon. O. J. Hawken, Ml’., for Egmont, wired yesterday as follows. "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 Egmont down. Disloyalty to friends or party does not suit my constitution.” The statement appearing in the Eltham Argus was as follows: — It is now definitely known that Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, of Eltham, will be a candidate for the Egmont seat, against the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawken). Mr. Wilkinson will run as an Independent, but it is rumoured that he 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 is authority for the belief that the Hon. Hawken, recognising that the opposition is formidable, will retire from the Egmont electorate and contest the seat for Patea, at present held by Mr. H. J. Dickie.