SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 30 January 1918, Page 5

SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT

LIBERAL NOMINATION TO BE MADE. In connection with the Southern Maori Election, Mr. Ellison, who stood at the last general election as a. Reform candidate, telegraphed Sir Joseph Ward on January 21 that ho proposed to stand as a supporter of the National Government. The following teicgram was on the next day sent to Mr. Ellison by the two leaders of the respective parlies (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward): — "In reference to your suggestion that you should stand us a candidate for the vacancy created by the death of the lato Mr. Charles Parata, we have to inform you that under the truce established upon the creation of the- National Government an undertaking was entered into between us an leaders of the two groat political parties that, in the event of a vacancy caused by resignation or death, the leader of the party to which the member belonged was to nominate a candidate, and the support of both parties was to be asked for on Ins behalf. Tho late Mr. Charles Parata having lieon a member of the Liberal Partv, his successor requires to be selected from the Liberal Party by Sir Joseph Ward, its leader. In the circumstances you will recognise that it is not possible for you to be I nominated ou behalf of the National I Government, and our desire is t!iat you ' should not stand, and that your support and assistant should ho given to whoever is -nominated by Sir Joseph Ward to fill the place of tho late Liberal member. 31 r. Paratii. This is the course that lias been followed in European seats sincfi the National Government was formed, and we hope that the Maoris will Tcspect this arrangement —(Signed) J. G. Ward, W.I' 1 . Massey."