WELLINGTON NORTH SEAT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 62, 6 December 1917, Page 6

WELLINGTON NORTH SEAT

MR. H. MYERS'S POSITION

Tho following letter has been received by Mr. J. J). Sievwright, chairman of the meeting of Wellington North electors, held at Kelburn on Tuesday night:— "Wellington, December 5. 1917.

"J. D. Sievwright, Esq., Wellington,

"Dear Sir,—l understand from you, and 1 also see from this morning's newspapers, that at tho meeting held at tho Kelburn Kiosk last night to consider the position regarding the Wellington North seat, I was included in the? committee selected to approach the Right Honourable the Prime Minister. \s my name seems to have been discussed last night, and lias, I understand, been freely mentioned m the city as that of a possible candidate, I prefer not to act on the committee; and furthermore, in order that there may be no possible misunderstanding as to my position. I desire to state now what that position is._ "Without further consideration 1 could not say whether or not I could under anv circumstances become a candidate, whether as a nominee of tho National Government or as an opponent of that nominee, though still supporti insi the National Government. nut I hope that the necessity for giving that consideration will not aiisc. "In my opinion a contest between two or more candidates either or any ot whom if elected would support tV National Government is nndesirablo if it can he avoided. At the same time, my view is that tlie electors, especially m times like the present, should be in a position to choose a candidate, who is acceptable to the constituency. And that candidate should be the best man available, irrespective of any oipstmn of partv or any other consideration 'than that- of his ability to lieln the National Government and the country 'iu deal'iu* with tho very difficult problems with which the country is now faced, nnd the more difficult nrobloms with whicli it will no doubt be faced hereafter. _ "After discussing tho position on these lines with a number of other electors in t.ho constituency, they ami T came to tlie conclusion that Mr. Skerrett is the most suitable man at present available, and I acted last week as spokesman at a deputation which _ asked him to become a candidate. His reply was that he would become a candidate if—hut mily if—he were nominated by the National Government. So far I understand that Mr. Massey has seen some difficulty in the way of nominating Mr. Skorrett. But I do lioqo that that difficulty, can be overcome. If I may be permitted to make a suggestion, I would recommend that your committee should in the first place milpidcr no name other than that or Mr. Skerrett, and that the National Government should bo pressed to nominate him. I do not think there can be the least doubt that the nomination would be in conformity with tlie wish of a very largo body of the electors, and certainly there cannot be the least doubt that Mr. Skerrett's presence, in Parliament "would bo a great acquisition. But if Mr. Massev cannot see his way to nominate Mr Skerrett, I desire say _ an d I would not say this but for tlie fact that my name has been so freely mentioned—that so far as lam personally concerned I havo not sought, nor do i seek, fee National Government nomination. My only concern is, if possible, to see avoided a contest between candidates supporting tlie National Government, and to see elected the., man who can be most useful to the Government and the country under the existing difficult conditions. If, therefore, Mr. Massey cannot nominate Mr. Skerrett, but can see his way to nominate as the National Government candidate some other person who is likely to bo acceptable to the constituency, that candidate will liave my whole-soul-cd support. I may possibly have aspirations in tho direction of politics, hut under ordinary circumstances I would not indulge those aspirations at the present time. While, therefore, 1 might consider the position if your committee later on should think it advisable. I would much prefer that your committee may be able to arrange with atr. Massev for the selection, if Sir. Skerrett's candidature cannot be entertained, of some person other than myself who, in the opinion of your committee, would he a suitable and acceptable candidate. •'Yours fftitlifnlly. "M. MYERS."