ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 274, 25 November 1935, Page 8

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

I ALLEGED statements i MR. BARKER IN REPLY “From the columns of the “Dannevirke Evening News’" I gather that certain base statements have been made about my personal character by Committee supporters of the Independent Nationalist. “My name can look after itself. I pride myself on a certain physical and mental strength which can be acquired only by self discipline and clean living. I must ask people to take me as they find me and not listen to any unwarranted scandal they may hear. I cannot imagine that the Independent National candidate knows anything about these falsehoods.” WILLIAM L. BARKER, Democrat Candidate. MR. W. L. BARKER. The Democrat candidate for Waipawa, Mr. W. L. Barker, supplies the happy combination of academic facility and proficiency in sport. He is 28 years of age, and the son of a Te Puke (Bay of Plenty) farmer. While he was a student at the Auckland and New Zealand universities he concentrated upon his physical as well as his mental deyelopment. In the years 1930-31-32 he was middle and heavyweight champion of these two universities, and in the same years he was Auckland University Rugby representative, and Auckland province Rugby representa-

tive in 1932. In addition, he was champion shot-putter and hammer-

throwing champion of the Auckland University College in 1931-32. Among his cultural attainments, Mr. Barker includes a pronounced flair for debating. He is a wellknown debater at Auckland and Wellington, and in the years 1930-31-32, he.represented the Auckland University College at debating. At that time his colleagues were the Rev. K. H. Melvin and Mr. M. G. Sullivan, with whom he debated against the team of debaters from the Oregon (U.S.A.) University. He was a member of the undefeated New Zealand University team which went over to Australia in 1931, and toured the Commonwealth. He holds the Bledisloe medal for oratory in his year, and he debated successfully against Colonel Closey.

His experience as a debater in the Dominion and in Australia has sharpened his faculties in debate, and throughout his campaign for the Waipawa seat his meetings have been characterised with repartee and the production of telling points.

Mr. Barker is a widely read man, and has full knowledge of and syinpathy with the current needs of the people.*