BAY OF PLENTY SEAT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 181, 17 November 1941, Page 5

BAY OF PLENTY SEAT

ELECTION DAY, DECEMBER 13

NOMINATIONS CLOSE NOV. 2(i

It is now understood 1 that the by-election in the Bay of Plenty electorate, rendered vacant through the death of the sitting member, Lieut. A, G. Hultquist, while on active service, will take place on Saturday, December 13. The writ will be issu'ed on November 24 and the Supplementary Roll will clos>e at 6 p.m. on the same date. Nominations of candidates will dose on November 26.

There is every likelihood that the by-election will result in a three-cornered contest, between the Labour, National and Democratic Labour Parties. A branch of the Hatter party was formed recently in Opotiki and the question of contesting the Bay of Plenty seat is still being considered. Those over the age of 21 years are reminded that enrolment as electors is" compulsory and those who are eligible to enroll and who have noit already dione so> are urged to enrol as soon ias possible. Only ten more days are available to those who wish their names to be on the! Supplementary Roll. The mentary Roll is expected to contain between 1000 and 1 2000 names

NATIONALIST TO STAND

STATEMENT BY LEADER

The Nationalist Party has decided to contest the Bay of Plenty byelection rendered necessary by the death of Lieutenant A. G. Hultquist An announcement to this effect was made at Gisbornet by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, who stated that under the rules and constitution of the National Party nominations AA'ere being immediately invited in the electorate. This would mean that every member of Lhe party Avould be represented at the selection ballot to choose a candidate. -It Avas expected that, the ballot would be completed within ftbout a fortnight.

Mr Holland added that the party organisation in the Bay of Plenty was very strong, with branches in every district, and preparations for the election would be completed almost at once.

The decision to contest the election, said Mr Holland, was reached After consultations by Mir Alex. Gordon, the Dominion president, and himself with the local brandies of the party and with the full concurrence of the South Auckland division, in Avhose territory the Bay of Plenty electorate' lies.

In the two previous by-elections —Auckland West and Waitemata— for seats rendered vacant during the war by the death of the sitting Labour member, the National Party, in a desire to avoid dividing the people in wartime, had not nominated candidates, but independent candidates had come forward and forced an, election. Then, in the Waipawa by-election —for a seat that had been held by the Natonal Party in this Parliament —the Government forced fin election by opposing the National Party candidate and running an official Labour nominee.

"Past experience shows clearly/' said Mr Holland, "that when these unfortunate vacancies occur by-elec-tions cannot be avoided. In these circumstances, the National Party feels that the only course open to it in regard to the Bay of Plenty seat is to nominate a candidate and contest the seat in the ordinary way."