WAIPAWA ELECTORATE

Evening Star, Issue 23694, 30 September 1940, Page 4

WAIPAWA ELECTORATE

VACANCY MAY BE FILLED WITHOUT ELECTION Mil J. D. ORMOND MENTIONED [Special to the ■ Star.’J WELLINGTON, September 30. No formal understanding exists between the Government and the National Party regarding filling extraordinary vacancies during war time, but indications point to a strong probability of the Waipawa vacancy (caused by the death of Mr dull) being filled without contest. A report is circulating that Mr J. D. Ormond, who contested the Napier seat unsuccessfully at last election against MrTJarnard, may bo nominated for the Waipawa vacancy, as it is said he left a signed nomination form with tho National Party prior to leaving with the Expeditionary Force, Mr Ormond was the Independent candidate for Waipawa in 1935, when Mr H. M. Christie won the seat for Labour, Mr dull regaining it the following election . Tho Democratic Labour Party, organised by Mr J. A. Lee, has been, mentioned as a possible factor, but there is no branch of this party in the electorate, and therefore it is unlikely that Mr Lee would utilise this opportunity of testing the strength of the new party. . Mr Christie probably had in mind the threatened activity of the Democratic Labour Party when he was asked if he intended to take this opportunity of contesting/’his former constituency. “ In the event of the nomination of Mr Ormond,” replied Mr Christie, “ I would not be a candidate, but should Mr Ormond not be nominated other considerations come into the matter, and I am not prepared offhand to indicate my intentions.” Tho Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton, when interviewed to-day, stated: “ Our'party will have its candidate, but we have a constitutional method of selecting him. If the local members of the party are unanimous on a candidate that solves the question.”