GENERAL ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12707, 31 July 1919, Page 4

GENERAL ELECTION.

CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH SEAT.

Mr H. Holland stated definitely last night, in answer to a deputation which waited upon him, that he would he a candidate for the Christchurch South seat at the next election. The deputation, which consisted of Dr Chilton and Messrs A. D- Hassall, H. O. Lane, TV. B. Bultitudc, TV. H. TVinsor, A. Hay, J. Middleton, S. M’Murray and A. Smith, was introduced by Mr Smith, who said that they had come to ask Mr Holland to contest the Christchurch South seat at the coming election. They had the utmost confidence in Mr Holland, and knew that, if elected, ho .would work not only in the interests of his own district, but of New Zealand as a whole. The speaker apologised for the absence of Mr J. Down, the first Mayor of Spreydon, and Councillor Agar, each of 'whom had expressed his willingness to further Mr Holland’s candidature.

j Mr TV. H. TVinsor, ex-Mayor of Sprey- ; don, said that Mr Holland 1 would confer : a boon on the Spreydon people if he' ' would consent to nomination for the . Christchurch South seat. They had | watched Mr Holland’s career closely as Mayor, and felt that he had an excellent chance of heading the poll if he would consent to nomination. Mr J- Middleton said they did not want any carpet-bag politicians. Sane Labour was going to play a prominent part in the election. No one had time for the extremists. Mr Holland had al--1 ways been a Labour man. The speaker j would do all in his power to secure his I return.

Dr Chilton said they wanted a man of proved ability , who could manage his own and public affairs. Mr Holland had proved his ability during the past seven years, and would, if elected, ably represent Christchurch South in Parliament.

Mr H 0. Lane said that, in view of the critical times ahead of the country, it was the duty of all to vote for honest, straightforward men —men who had shown their capacity in public life. He would support most heartily Mr Holland’s candidatureMr W. B- Bultitude said ho had been a follower of the present member since his election to Parliament, and had. acted as his organising secretary, bub he had come.to the conclusion that the time had arrived for a change of representative.

Mr S. M’Murray said that Christchurch South could not have a better member than Mr Holland. Mr A. D. Hassall said Mr Holland would have the moral support of thousands of electors not in the Christchurch (South electorate. He would not be putting out a Liberal member, the speaker pointed out, os Mr Ell had decided to seek fresh fields. Mr Holland had always polled a very large Labour vote, and the speaker was certain that lie would get the support of the workers in Christchurch South. Mr Holland, in reply, thanked the deputation for the honour conferred on him. It was an honour he_ had not bought till after he resigned his position as Mayor, when he met many people who had encouraged him to seek election to' Parliament. Regarding Mr Ell, the speaker said he had written to him on March 5, asking him to confirm Ins verbal statement that he would not he a, candidate for Christchurch South. That letter had not been replied to up to the present- Mr Ell had subsecmently told the speaker to inform the Press that he (Mr Ell) was going to contest the Lyttelton seat. If Mr Ell changed his mind now he had no one to blame but himself. Mr Holland said although it was the desire of a large section of the public that he should contest the seat he would not have done so if he had not been waited upon by such a large and Representative deputation. _ He had given the matter due consideration and had decided that he would comply with the deputation’s request. (Applause). He would ho honest in his politics, and if, after election, he found that he could not remain honest then he would drop out of the game. He would support measures rather than party, but would identify himself with a party. He preferred to wait, however, for a few weeks before saying what .party he would support. Of one thing they could he assured—he would always he actuated by the highest motives to promote the welfare or the people of the Dominion. MASTERTON SEAT. [Pee Press Association.] MASTERTON. July 30. Mr William Candy, grocer, and a Borough Councillor, has been selected as the Labour party’s candidate for the Masterton seat at the general election, ; states a Press Association telegram.