REFORM PARTY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1931, Page 2

REFORM PARTY

TROUBLE IN AUCKLAND ELECTORATE. AUCKLAND, August 12. Margaret Campbell, J.P., and six other women, wrote to the Press relating to the Reform nomination for the Auckland East electorate (for which the Hon. J. B. Donald is the sitting member.) They stated that a deputation chosen from women who desired Miss Melvi le to stand for Auckland East 'waited upon members of the Reform Party’s executive to ask their endorsement of her candidature. This was refused on two grounds: (1) That nominations for the Auckland East seat had closed thirteen months ago and a candidate had been chosen (that gentleman is not the candidate now announced, Sir George Richardson); (2) that Miss Melville was a woman, and whatever her abilities, that would absolutely bar her so far as they were concerned. “They didn’t want any females.” The deputation thereupon said that they would like to take up that cha’lenge by putting Miss Melville forward asthe “women’s candidate” without party affiliations. Knowing that Sir George Richardson bad recently been asked by the Reform Party to consent to nomination for Auckland East, and not wish ing to oppose him if he was a'ready in the field, Miss Melville’s committee then sent a representative to ask him if he intended standing for the seat. He replied definitely “No,’ stating that he had been approached but was not interested in politics, and the suggestion did not appeal to him. On that assurance the committee went on. with its arrangements, and a week later announced that Miss Melville had consented to stand as the “women’s candidate” for Auckland East.