ELECTION ISSUE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23962, 1 June 1943, Page 4

ELECTION ISSUE

• TEST OF PUBLIC OPINION FREEDOM ASSOCIATION’S

BALLOT

During the last few weeks the New Zealand Freedom Association, which has its headquarters in Auckland, has been conducting a ballot to test public opinion upon the desirability or other, wise of holding a general election this year. A large number of voting papers were distributed more or less indiscriminately throughout the city and suburbs of Auckland, and an attempt was made to gauge- public opinion in a similar manner to that employed by the organisers of the Gallup polls in America. From statistics compiled at the completion of the ballot, says a report issued by the association, it was found that 31.41 per cent, of those who returned voting papers were in favour of an election in 1943; 13.91 per cent, were in favour of carrying on as at present, without an election, until (say) 1944; and 54.68 per cent, favoured “unity in the political field and a truly representative Cabinet without any immediate election." Fifty-nine per cent, of the total number of voting papers received were sent in by men, and 41 per cent, by women, says the Freedom Association’s report. The opinions of the men who recorded their votes were as follows: 37.2 pe ‘ cent, wanted a general election this year; 12.1 per cent, preferred to let matters stay as they are until, say, next year; and 50.7 per cent, were in favour of the formation of a national government and the postponement of a General Election. Papers sent in by women voters showed that 23 per cent, favoured an election this year; 16.5 per cent, advocated postponing the election for a year; and 60.5 per cent, favoured a national government.

KAIAPOI SEAT

THIRD NATIONAL PARTY NOMINATION The third nomination received by the National Party for the Kaiapoi seat at the General Election is that of Mr W. H. Overton, of Sandy Knolls. Messrs G. C. Warren, of Darfleld, and R. G. Brown, of Christchurch, have also allowed their names to go forward to the selection ballot for the seat. Mr Overton, who is farming at Sandy Knolls, is a member of the Paparua County Council, and a member of the executive committee of the North Canterbury branch of the Farmers' Union. Before coming to Canterbury several years ago Mr Overton served for many years on local bodies in Otago and Southland. He was a member of the

Queenstown Borough Council for J® years,* and was Mayor of Queensto for 12 years. Also he served on Bluff Harbour Board, the Central Licensing Committee, the Queensto School Committee, the Kawarau Control Board, the Frankton Aenr drome Control Board, the Lake Co Agricultural and Pastoral Associa • and other smaller organisations sports bodies.

CONTEST FOR RICCARTON SEAT

LABOUR PARTY CALLING FOR NOMINATIONS Nominations for a Labour Party can didate to contest the Riccartonsea, present held by Mr H. S. S. isy 1 the General Election, are being c by the North Canterbury Labou n presentation Committee, and will early this month. It is expecte m g there will be several nominec s - ij>_ most likely one to be selected is ; H. Langford, who contested tn in the General Election of was only 87 votes behind Mr Mr Kyle has announced ' rndecontest the coming election as j lS s pendent, and the National *; selected Mr J. T. Watts as its canoi