No Council By-election; Independent Withdraws

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 16

No Council By-election; Independent Withdraws

Mr R. M. MacFarlane. M.P., a former Mayor of Christchurch, will return to the City Council as the only Labour Party representative. He will fill the vacancy caused by the death of a Citizens’ Association councillor, Cr. W. J. Cowles. When nominations closed at noon yesterday, Mr C. S. Bowie, the Acting Town Clerk and substitute returning officer, had received two nominations—Mr Macfarlane’s and one from Mr W. J. D. H. McFaul, an independent Late in the afternoon, after he had seen Cr. H. P. Smith, the Deputy-Mayor, and been told the cost to the citizens of a by-election —about £3ooo—Mr McFaul withdrew his nomination.

About a quarter of an hour before nominations closed, Mr McFaul arrived at Mr Bowie's office with his nomination form, which was signed by Colin Thom and H. C. Archbold. ‘‘Scrupulously independent” was written on Mr McFaul’s paper. Mr lan Cardwell, a dealer, was ready with a nomination paper in his hand: but when he found Mr McFaul's had been put in he seemed satisfied. He commented: "He won’t withdraw." But that is what Mr McFaul did later in the day, after he had met Cr. Smith. “Not Forced’’ ‘‘l have voluntarily withdrawn my candidature.” said Mr McFaul last evening, ‘‘and my reason for doing so is solely to save the citizens of Christchurch the cost of an election. I want to make it clear that I am not forced to do this. I was approached by the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. Smith >. who pointed out what the cost of the election might be and asked me to consider that aspect. “I do not think that the Labour Party should have nominated a member of Parliament when the position calte for regular attendence. They left the, field wide open for a good independent if one came forward. “I have some views which I believe would be of benefit to the city generally, and I may well be a starter at the municipal elections next year,” Mr McFaul continued. "I believe the citizens will welcome a candidate who is absolutely independent. ‘‘However, I may ventilate my views to the council before then. Cr. Smith has offered me the opportunity of attending a meeting of the traffic committee to express my views on traffic control in Christchurch and, if I wish, reporters will be invited.” Cr. Smith said later that Mr McFaul had taken a very reasonable and commonsense attitude. “I want to express my thanks to him for the saving that has been made. He has shown, himself to be concerned for the welfare of the whole of the

city. It will be interesting to see him in the field in November of next year.” Mr Macfarlane congratulated Cr. Smith on the result of his negotiations to avoid the City Council being put to the cost of a by-elec-tion, and congratulated Mr McFaul on his agreeing to withdraw his nomination for the same reason. His nomination had been put forward by the Christchureh Labour Representation Committee, following precedents whereby by-elec-tions had been avoided, Mr Macfarlane said. While he was Mayor, two similar situations had arisen, and each time there was no by-election. One vacancy was filled by a Citizens’ representative and the other by a Labour candidate. On one occasion, an Independent had agreed at the last minute not to put in his nomination. Three Notices Mr Bowie said last night that his duties as substitute returning officer were now clear. He had to prepare a composite advertisement giving formal notice of the nominations, of the withdrawal and of the declaration of Mr Macfarlane as a councillor. As Acting-Town Clerk, he was aware that Cr Smith had been anxious to avoid

the cost of an election, Mr Bowie said.

Some preliminary work in preparation for an election had already been done. Mr McFaul, having made his decision to withdraw, was to be congratulated for notifying him promptly, Mr Bowie said. Had he delayed, even for the remaining few days left to him to withdraw, further substantial commitments would have been unavoidable. If an election had been necessary. Mr Bowie would have had to notify the 76 polling places fixed, and such work as the completion and printing of electoral rolls and printing of ballot papers would have had to be put in hand this week. Mr Macfarlane may take his place at the council meeting tomorrow evening if all the formalities have been completed. He was a councillor . until the triennial election in November, 1959. having been elected "at a byelection after his resignation from the Mayoralty earlier in the year when he was appointed Speaker of the House of Representatives. At the election, the Citizens' Association gained all 19 seats. Mr Macfarlane heading the list of unsuccessful candidates. Mr Macfarlane will not find it so easy to attend council and committee meetings as he did earlier in his council service. The council used to meet on Mondays, but has changed to Wednesdavs, and attendance may be difficult for Mr Macfarlane when Parliament is sitting.