BY-ELECTION

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21441, 7 June 1941, Page 6

BY-ELECTION

WAITEMATA SEAT CONTEST INDICATED DEMOCRATIC LABOUR <B.y Telegrapn.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Saturday The leader of the Democratic Labour Party, Mr J. A. Lee, M.P., stated today that he had discussed the question of the Waitemata electorate with the Hon. W. E. Barnard. Both were definitely of the opinion that the seat, made vacant by the death on active service of Captain W. J. Lyon, should be contested. Mr Lee said that the national executive of the Democratic Labour Party, which was empowered to decide and to select a candidate, would meet over the week-end, and no doubt a public statement would be made next Wednesday or Thursday. CANDIDATE ANNOUNCED STAND AS INDEPENDENT (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Saturday Mr Henry Thomas Head, formerly a farmer of Hunua and now residing in Parnell, has announced his intention to stand as an Independent for the Waitemata seat rendered vacant by the death on active service of Captain W. J. Lyon. Mr Head saw service in the last war from 1917 to 1918. He was gassed in France and invalided home. NATIONAL PARTY DECISION CHRISTCHURCH, Friday The Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, stated that it was not the intention of the National Party to contest a by-election for the Waitemata seat, made vacant by the death in action of the sitting member, Captain W. J. Lyon. He added that the decision had been reached as a mark of respect to Captain Lyon’s memory, and had the support of the National Party both in the Auckland division and in the electorate. The party would, however, contest the seat at the general elections.