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WELLINGTON NORTH

MR. HERDMAN'S RESIGNATION GOVERNMENT NOMINATION OF MR. LUKE STATEMENT BY PARTY LEADERS The resignation of tho Hon. A. L. Herdnum as member for Wellington North in tho House of Representatives has been Kent to Mr. Speaker, so that there is now virtually a vfcancy. Tho National Government has nominated Mr. J. P. Luke, Mayor of Wellington, to he tho candidate to contest tho seat in tho interests of the United Government. It is expected that Mr. M. Myers will also contest tho scat as a supporter of tho National Government. Mr. H. Holland is the candidate selected by the Labour uhions, and another candidate, Mr. A. N. I'olson, has also announced himself.

Sir John Deiuiistou yesterday resigned his seat on the Supreme Court Bench, and as Mr, Herdinan is to succeed him, it was proper thai, ho should at once resign his seat as n member of Parliament. Mr. llerdman may ho at liis ofiico for a few days to clear up his Ministerial business, preparatory to going out of office, hut his resignation as a"Minister will be in the hands of tho Governor-General almost immediately. It should be understood that the boundaries fAr tho coming by-election will be the same as those of the electorate which returned the retiring member, Mr. Herdman, at the election in 1914. New boundaries were lixed for Wellington North recently by the Representation Commission, but these boundaries wiil not dome into operation until there is a general election. PARTY LEADERS COMMEND MR. LUKE The following announcement was issued yesterday by the Prime Minister (on behalf of himself and Sir Joseph Ward) in connection with the coining vacancy for Wellington North: —

"When the National Government was forlned a'l honourable understanding was arrived at to the effect that if, during its term of office, a member belonging to either party died or for any reason retired from Parliament, the leader of the party to which such member belonged should nominate a candidate for the by-election finis rendered necessary, and such nomination would be supported by the leader oil the other Bide of politics. "Under this arrangement Mr. J. P. Luke has been invited to come forward for the coming by-election in Wellington North as a supnorter of the National Government, and in compliance with the understand"'": referred to we strongly recommend him for the support of the electors of Wellington North. "W. F. MAKKEY. "J. G. WARD." • Wellington, February 4, 1918. '' MR. LUKE'S QUALIFICATIONS STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY. ' With respect to the above announcement, the Prime Minister made the following statement: — "Tho Government, in selecting a candidate to contest this election as a supporter of tho National Cabinet, formed to carry on New Zealand's share of the war, have had special regard to Mr. Luke's constant and untiring offorts on behalf of our soldiers, both going and coming. As Wellington has been the main centre of military activity, the duty of caring for our soldiers has fallen heavily upon its citizens, who have willingly and cheerfully done their part, but none with more ability and thoroughness than our Mayor and the Mayoress, who, by her kindly zeal, has endea'red herself to the hearts of many thousands of the men of our citizen 'army. There are not in New Zealand to-day two citizens who havo worked more loyally and enthusiastically in cause for which we arc fighting tlisjn Mr. and Mrs. Luke. They havo sent their own sons to the front, and they have done everything that it was possiblo to do to provide comforts for the sons of their fellow-citizens, both in the camps of this country and the fighting lines of the Northern Hemisphere.

"Mr. Luke has given the most practical proof that it is possible for a man to give of his enthusiastic patriotism, consequently, when an opportunity presents itself of selecting a candidate to contest Wellington North for a seat in tho Parliament of the country, who could bo more fitted to receive the nomination than this citizen who, as Mayor of Wellington during.the war period, has given tho whole of his time and energy to tho service of the public? In saying this, I am casting no reflection on other worthy citizens who may possibly have political ambitjons, and whose claims in normal times would most certainly have been entitled to favourable consideration, but'whom 1 am at present v«ry reluct-' antly compelled to pass over. We aro not living in normal times; a political truce has been declared as between tlio two great parties, which is being honourably observed by their leaders, as ivell as by tho great mass of the public. The one object of paramount importance to Neiv Zealand, as to the Empire itself, is to win the war, and until peace comes every other question must take second place.

"Mr. Luke's heart is in Wellington. Ho has looked after its interests well and successfully during the most critical time in its history. He has had previous Parliamentary experience. He is a man whom wo can trust,- and now that tho opportunity offers by the re-' tiremcnt of its late esteemed member; I feel confident that the electors will show their appreciation of his faithful record electing him to the honourable position of their Parliamentary representative for Wellington North." THE DEPUTATION TOJHR. M. MYERS (To the Editor.) Sir, —In your Saturday's issuo (February 2), it is reported a deputation of electors waited upon Mr. M. Myers, requesting him to allow himself to be nominated by this deputation as a candidate for the seat to be vacated of Wellington North. Wo have seen something similar to this before in tlio columns of the Press, also the same names heading these repeated deputations, having first broached Mr. Skcriott, to have him branded on tho back, Mr. Skcrrctt declining, unless itnrler conditions of his own, which naturally aro turned down. Then comes Mr. Myers, who is to have the brand of this deputation on his back. Not a deputation of tho majority of the electors of Wellington North, or that of Mr. Masscy, of course. According to this "very small minority" of the electors of Wellington North, Mr. Massey has no right to say who shall represent his party or bo the representative to step into the shoes of the Honourable A. L. Herdman, in accordance with tho honourable compact, which has been nobly kept by Sir Joseph Ward, which is to stand during the currency of tho war.

What do we'find? This very small minority of the electors of Wellington North take upon themselves to dictate to Mr. Masse; who ho is to have as his representative. It is strongly advisablo for tba majority of the oleo-

tors of Wellington North to especially note who are the movers of this deputation and their attitude. There is Mr. J. D. Sievwright, who is always to the forefront, and is not a follower of the Right Moil, the Prime Minister and his party, being a strong opponent, and there arc others to whom this leader must he responsible.

Mr. Sievwright says "that they want a broad-minded man who will i;ivc all his timo and ability to tho welfare of the State, at a timo when the State most needs it." Does the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward find at this moment they arc lacking such support in tho House, support to this National Government and Win-thc-War Party? This ivill be something new to these two leaders, who I am quito sure are quite capable of handling this National Government ably and well during tho period of this war without requiring "special brains" during this war time.

Mr. Whyte says "that Mr. Myers has the goodwill of tho wholo of the electors." This comes from a very small minority of tho electors, and has got to bo proved later. I am afraid Mr. Myers has been carried away by the eloquence of Mr. Sievwright and others, Ho would be wise in remembering that he will have tho majority of the electors to contend with and not tho minority.

In reviewing the remarks of this deputation _ (Mr. Sievwright and Mr. Whyte), it appears to one that there must bo moro in this move than "readies Hie eye." Tho position of tho National Government or the Right Hon. the Primo Minister and tho Win-the-War Party must bo tho secondary consideration. Is it a party move, or is it an endoavour to retaliate against tho party headed by Mr. Massey, for something carried out which noes not meet the views of some of this small minority ? $

The reply of Mr. Myers (with all liis own' conditions), very ably put together, appeal? to one thus: "Yes, as soon as you say you are coming, T will have everything ready for you to go into tho Press." Mr. Myers could have moro ably abbreviated his remarks and more te tho point, vwhich would havo appealed perhaps to the majority of the electors, but he lias said too much' and shows his anxi6ty to get there.

I mislit mention there is not unanimity amongst the supporters of this small minority. Mr. Myers will ho wise to wait some other opportunity when lie can see a new party of young members promisrig, and not to expect being elected hv the deputation, which will bo strongly opposed

AYe want a strong supporter of the "AVin-the-AVnr Party," and a supporter in this particular case of the Right Hon. tho Prime Minister, AV. Massey. —I am, etc., KELBURN ELECTOR. February 4. 1 (To the Editor.) Sir, —A statement lias been published that Mr. M. Mvers was the elected candidate for AA r ellington North bv the business men and the AA r ellesley 'Club. I hereby give a most emphatic denial to this assertion. At present the Wellesley Club lias not given its adherence to any candidate whatever.—l am, etc., AV. E. PEARSON (Twenty-one years a member of the AVellesley Club.)

WELLINGTON NORTH ROLL

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Prior to the last general election I secured absent voter's permit No. 89 and duly recorded my vote in the polling booth at the Town Hall, Auckland. A few days ago, when perusing the roll for the electoral district of Wellington North, I discovered that my name had been crossed off. As this roll was officially marked "corrected," it would need to be accepted as such. Before making comment 1 called at the offico to make inquiry. Mr. HeeiiAii (Registrar) was away, but one of the staif looked up some of the records, and then informed me that it was a "clerical error," my name having been crossed off and then replaced. Assuming that version to be the correct one, is it not possible that there may bo a few hundred more "clerical errors," hence my reason for giving publicity to this matter.—l am, etc., J. ASTON. 118 Karori Road. Mr. J. P. Luke, the Government nominee, announces that he will open liis campaign in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, on Wednesday evening.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19180205.2.42

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 6

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,841

WELLINGTON NORTH Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 6

WELLINGTON NORTH Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 6

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