BAY OF PLENTY SEAT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 83, 31 December 1937, Page 10

BAY OF PLENTY SEAT

Nationalists Approach Mayor of Whakatane The Whakatane County Counqil Chambers were crowded on Christmas Eve by members of a deputation arranged to wait on Mr W. Sullivan, Mayor of Whakatane, with the object of obtaining his consent to allow his name to go forward for selection as candidate for the Bay of Plenty seat in the National Party interests at the forthcoming general election. The deputation consisted of prominent settlers and residents of all pgrts of the Whakatane County withiii the Bay of Plenty -electorate. The secretary of the Whakatane branch, Mr L. Buddle, explained that Mr Sullivan had previously been requested by meetings at Gisborne and other parts oi the bay to offer his services to the party, but without success. The present request was being made to Mr Sullivan owing to the growing insistence for his candidature from all parts of the electorate, Reference was made to the necessity for the avoidance of vote splitting, the speakers expressing the opinion that if Mr Sullivan agreed to offer his name for selection he would not be opposed for the party's candidature, and it would result in a straightout qontest between the National and Labpur caiididates, AH the speakers assured Mr Sullivan of wholehearted pupport in the event of his pontesting the seat, In reply, Mr Sullivan said the decision was a difficult one for him to make owipg to his business and other interests; However, he would be pleased to aecede to the request, but would have to delay his decision until the end of January to enable hina to endeavour to make arrangements for the carrying on of his business 'in* terests. He was aware of the fact that the names of prospective candi(Jates were to 'be received by the 'Bay of Plenty committee by January 7, but it was impossible for him to make a decision before the end of the month. The deputation expressed a desire to do everything possible to assist Mr Sullivan to reach a favourable decision in the matter and to assiSt the party's organisation in support of his candidature.