TAURANGA INDEPENDENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 5, 10 September 1943, Page 4

TAURANGA INDEPENDENT

MR L. R. WILKINSON TO STAND

WIDE LOCAL BODY SERVICE

An announcement to the effect that lie intends, to contest the Ta.u- j ranga .seat at the coming General Elections as an independent, candidate. lias been made by the Mayor of Tauranga (Mr L. R. Wilkinson). "Having had the privilege of serving my fellow citizens throughout the electorate over a period of years in various positions of trust and responsibility, and believing that my experience anil qualifications wi'll enable mc to render a further service to the pco-ple as their Parliamentary representative, I have pleasure in announcing my candidature for the Tauranga scat at the forthcoming elections," stated Mr Wilkinson in a statement to the "Beacon." "1 shall stand as an independent, being fully convinced that a successful war effort can become an accomplished fact only Avhen the people arc united for that purpose and are uninfluenced by party considerations/' added Mr Wilkinson. "I intend to give my utmost support to a generous scheme for rehabilitation which must form an important part, of any total war effort/' Mr Wilkinson was first elected "Mayor of Tauranga in 1935, he has also served on the Tauranga Hospital Board, the Tauranga Fire Board, and the District High School Committee, and is a member of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council!, representing that bod}' at the last National Patriotic Conference. He served with the N.Z.E.F. in Egypt and France from 191•"> to 1917 and after his return to New Zealand took an active part in territorial training holding the ran'k of Lieutenant, and being posted to the reserve of officers in 1937. He also conducted a vigorous campaign against the repealing to the compulsory clauses in the Defence Act - Mr Wilkinson is a past president of the Western Bay of Plenty U.S.A. and on retirement from that office, was elected a life member oi' the association in recognition of his valuable services. Before taking lip residence in Tauranga he Avas a prominent figure in farming eitrelcs, was chairman of directors of the local co-operative dairy company and a member of the sub-provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at Te Awamutu. liis' appointment as Justice of the Peace was. made in 1922.