TAURANGA SEAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1923, Page 2

TAURANGA SEAT.

i’osfumi.mns and probaisjdities. AN ENTERTAIN POSITION. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. WKI.MNGTON. March 2. Quite unexpectedly, interest is being given to the impending contest tor the Tatmuiga seat hy the appearance ol Sir Joseph Ward’s name ill the li-i oi candidates. Sir Joseph still is in the north, probably feeling the pulse oi the people immediately concerned in tin 1 selection of a .successor to Sir William lierries, and it is unlikely any definite announcement will he made in regard to his intentions lor a day or two.

Meanwhile, the politicians arc from their various points oi view, watching the developments very closely. Ministers are in a too difficult position to do the magnanimous tiling and iacilimte the return of the ex-Lilietal I.cadet. No one will blame them for lighting the battle very strenuously with a candidate of their own. The attitude oi tie leaders of the Liberal-Labour I’arty is le>s clear. Mr Wiliord is talk, in,, of a meeting oi the executive of the Party to select a candidate and there is a feeling here that he and his colleagues are not over anxious to see Sir Joseph hack in Parliament. Perhaps tlu-y fear difficulties Quit niignt arise from such an 1 he rank and file of the Party outside o'" Parliament and the builk of sane Laoour, would welcome Sir Joseph ' return. Business men generally would oe favourably disposed towards Sir Joseph’s candidature. Most ot them have it in their minds that the success of the Liberal header would mean his inclusion in the Cabinet, but neither Mr Massey nor Sir Joseph himself liaa given the least indication of such a tiling happening. It is likely, however, that Sir Joseph would avoid making any attempt to disturb the present arrangements of the Liberal Party, and would maintain the role of an independent critic ol both sides, with a speua desire to assisting in the solution oi the difficult financial problems now (-onfronting the country. His health is now fuiiv restored and better than it has been at any other time during the last dozen years. LIBER ALi-LABOUR party. WELLINGTON, March 2. The position in connection with Taurnnga election so far as the Libo.alI.al>our Party is concerned seems to he that a meeting will he held at To Arolm

on Monday night, when the question of flio selection of a Liberal-Labour candidate will be discussed. The selection will not necessarily be made that night, but it is not- expected Sir Joseph Ward or any other candidate will make any announcement until alter Monday’s meeting.