CHOOSING A CANDIDATE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1043, 4 February 1911, Page 6

CHOOSING A CANDIDATE.

A LABOUR WRANGLE. (By Telegraph—Spccial Correspondent.! Christchurch, February 3. The secretary of the South Christchurch branch of tho Now Zealand Labour party published the other day a letter he had received from Mr. Jas. Thorn, who is now in England, stating that he would again bo a candidate for the seat at tho next elections. To his letter tho editor of tho "Lytteltou Times" appended a footnote quoting a letter ho had received from Mr. Thorn (who was defeated at the last general election for the seat) written a week later, in which 110 said he would not be a candidate for the seat, and a£' a meeting of tho branch last night this latter letter was tho subject of some discussion.

Mr. A. D. Hart, ex-president of the Trades and Labour Council, said it made the branch look "absolutely ridiculous." Mr. Thorn, if he had changed, his mind, ought to have written to tlio branch. "I am not prepared," lie added, "to take Mr. Thorn up at all till 1 really see which way the cat is jumping." Mr. Thorn had "fallen from grace." They had. a' strong man to light in the present member (Mr. Ell), and ought to get their candidate before tho public as soon as possible. "Wo have to get the old member out," ho added. ■ "He doesn't suit us at all. 'Jim' Thorn is 110 good to me and 110 gobd to Labour. He is looking after his own interests. Thorn was a"strong ma.ll, but lie has turned us over, and wo must get the best man to stand." Mr. J. A. M'Cullough entirely disagreed with tho remarks made about Mr. Thorn, who, he said, had done good work for Labour. Tho position was that Mr. Thorn had changed his mind. Mr. M. Laracy 'asked if there, was any chance of getting Mr.. M'Cullough to stand. Ho did not think there was a worker who would not like to see him in Parliament. Mr. M'Cullough: "No, there is not tho slightest hope nor ever will be tho slightest hope of Jack M'Cullough standing for Parliament." Mr. Hart: "So much the worso for Labour." Tho chairman: "I question that Mr. M'Cullough is doing good work where ho is." Mr. Hart was nominated, but declined in tho following terms: "No, Mr. Chairman, it is not- an honourable calling. I don't want it." To-day tho branch received a letter from Mr. Thorn confirming tho news in his letter to tho "Times."