REFORM PARTY IN A QUANDARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18546, 21 August 1928, Page 10

REFORM PARTY IN A QUANDARY.

COMPLICATIONS OVER MID-CANTERBURY SEAT.

The announcement published yesterday that the Hon W. Nosworthy had definitely decided to be a candidate for the Mid-Canterbury seat at the coming general election, came as a complete surprise to Reform circles and it is likely to lead to a number of interesting complications. It is understood that the Prime Minister was not aware that Mr Nosworthy. was about to make the announcement, and he was as surprised as the other members of the executive of the Reform Party when the contents of Mr Nosworthy’s cable were published yesterday. Before -his departure from the Dominion Mr Nosworthy left the matter to the decision of the Prime Minister and the Dominion Executive of the Reform Party, and it is stated that there has been no change in the situation so far as they are concerned. It is probable that the matter will be discussed at a meeting of the executive to be held in Wellington on Thursday.

In the meantime it is understood that Mr David Jones, whose electorate of Ellesmere has been incorporated in the new electorate of Mid-Canterbury, is determined to contest the seat despite the announcement of Mr Nosworthy s intentions.

A piquant situation is therefore likely to arise, and it will require capable generalship on the part of the Reform executive to avoid vote-splitting in the electorate. Various suggestions have been made with a view to over-com-

ing the threatened impasse. It has been proposed that Mr Nosworthy should be nominated for the Hurunui seat, and failing that arrangement, that Mr Jones should transfer his attentions to Hurunui or Kaiapoi. The principals in the drama, however, have not viewed these proposals with favour, and their friends have supported them in their attitude. The Ellesmere portion of the new electorate seems to favour Mr Jones as the Reform candidate, but the Ashburton portion, including the town of Ashbiuton, has shown a preference for Mr Nosworthv who has represented the district since 1908, when he had Mr Jones as one of his opponents. Mr Jones then contested the seat as an Independent. Meanwhile the United Party and the Labour Party are watching the difficulties of. the Reformers with keen interest, mingled with a certain amount of amusement. The United Party, it is Stated, has a candidate in view for the seat, but is not prepared to make any announcement just yet. The Labour Party has several aspirants for its nomination but has not yet taken any action, in the matter.

Candidates reread y in the field for the seat are the Hon G. W. Russell, formerly member for Avon, who is standing as a straight-out Liberal, and Mr 11. M. Jones, of Ashburton, who is also standing as a Liberal. The Kaiapoi Seat. A definite decision has not yet been reached in Reform circles regarding the selection of the party’s candidate for the Kaiapoi seat. About ten days ago it semeed practically certain that Mr L. B. Evans would be selected* but since then it is said that a fresh batch of aspirants has appeared on the scene. Another meeting will be held at an early date to discuss the situation in the electorate. Position in Riccarton. The opposition in the Reform ranks to the endorsement of Mr H. S. S. Kyle. M.P., as the party’s candidate for the Riccarton seat, on account of his attitude on the licensing question, has now died down, and there seems little likelihood that he will be opposed by another Reformer.