HURUNUI SEAT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 14

HURUNUI SEAT

Farmers Seek Nomination Hurunui will probably continue to have a farmer as its member of Parliament. When the National Party makes a choice of a candidate for the by-election caused by the death of Mr W. H. Gillespie, the Minister of Agriculture. It will have a list of farmers to choose from.

The nominee will be assured of election, for Mr Gillespie retained the seat last November with a majority of well over 2000.

A newcomer to politics with a family background of politics is Mr Clutha Mackenzie, a 45-year-old farmer, of Happy Valley, Motunau, who confirmed yesterday that he had been approached to stand for National 'and had agreed to let his name go forward.

Mr Mackenzie’s grandfather. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, was Prime Minister in 1912, and his father-in-law, Mr G. W. Forbes, was Prime Minister from 1930 to 1935. Mr Mackenzie is chairman of the Waipara County Council, and has been a branch delegate to the CanterburyWestland division of the National Party. Mr H. L. Pickering, Motunau Beach, farmer, who has just left the Broadcasting Service to return to full-time farming, will almost certainly be on the selection list. He was the National candidate against Mr J. Mathison in Avon last November. He can count on good support. Mr D. F Quigley, of Waipara. came to the city to represent the National Party in the safe Labour electorate of Sydenham. He will probably be asked to accept nomination for Hurunui, but may still be counted as young enough to wait another chance.

Other names mentioned for selection are those of Mr J. F. G. Blakely, the president of North Canterbury Federated Farmers, and Mr J. A. G. Fulton, a Loburn | farmer.

Mr C. C. A. McLachlan, a Rakaia farmer who stood fofi National in Christchurch Central a few years ago and who is deputy-chairman of the Canterbury-Westland division of the party, is a possible nominee; but may not seek election.