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Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1929, Page 4

Although . the Hutt liyrelection for tho seat in Parliament rendered vacant by the resignation of Hon T. M. Wilford is in progress, and is no doubt ■wing keenly fought'in the Electorate, very little is heard outside the Constituency ot the progress of the event. There are three candidates, Mr Kerr (inited), Mr Johnson (Reform) and Mr Nash (Labour) in the field, and all actively on the war palb. Air Kerr is an ex-CV.astcr who in bis salmi days tried conclusions with flic, late Sir Arthur Guinness for the Grey seat, hut the veteran “was too old a campaigner to he beaten. Air Kerr during his residence at the Hutt. where his business is centred, has been a very active supporter of Air Will’ord’x who has held the seal for many years

against all comers. Air Kerr thus rn.oys considi’i'a life prestige in the Kle. torn I e which held Air Willord in such pmilar esteem. Air Johnston is i cap:'. Jo rcprc.se ll talive of flic Reform I’arl.y and in ordinary cn( iwiisfanecs a worthy reprcsenlal ivc, but Hi:form appears to lx; under a cloud, even in Welliiiglon Province, where in former limes that Parly held such sway. Mr Kerr’s most lonoiilable opponent is Air Nasn wlii has a strong p/irsonality and mis much to commend him as a repre.-enl a ii, o. His name lias been prominently mentioned as a representative ol New Zealand Labour at Geneva, and had not this by-election intervened his choice was considered assured. In the pieliniinary .skirmishes Toth Air Coates and Air Holland did a little open hi..ding for a section of the ■ mil. \jotcs by their offers to the public service', particularly in' regard to the ■ialaiy cut.-. Air Holland was the more open and lavish, and his gilded promises may be helpful to the Labour candidate. On the other hand, the electors have the solid record of tin United Party plainly before it. It is very unfortunate that Sir .Joseph Ward is not aide to meet the electors at this juncture as his personality would count greatly towards the ultimate result. The fact that Hutt has been for so long Liberal is, however, helpful, and as there is the assurance that toe old Liberal policy will he continued along the former progressive lines, tire electors will be encouraged to maintain in power tho party best fitted to serve New Zealand as a whole. Taking that view of the situation, it would appear tha the Liberal candidate has the best prospects of success. The son of a sturdy old Liberal, and the life long supporter of Liberalism, Mr Kerr, appears to be well entitled to enjoy the confidence of the electors of Hutt in the present contest.