POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1931, Page 2

POLITICAL

ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES. The report that the adjustment affecting the Mataura seat may involve the transfer of Colonel J. Hargest, the] Reform Candidate, to the Invercargill; electorate, has not found favour with; United supporters, and they predict that no such arrangements will he tolerated bv the Invercargill or-j ganisation. I It is contended that in terms of the Coalition pact. Mr M’Dougall, the sitting United member for .Mataura, must automatically and unreservedly receive official, Coalition endorsement, and that Colonel Hargest must unconditionally withdraw without expectation of nomination for a seat that always has solidly supported a Liberal candidate. It. further is argued that on that account the official hanner-hearor for Invercargill. Mr Vincent Ward, innomiced his retirement for purely business reasons some months ago. ami his intentions were to spend the ensuing three years in residence in the constituency and again offer himself for election in 1934. In view of the complications that are likely to arise it is understood that representations will he made to Mr Ward to settle the difficulty by agreeing to defend the seat at the polls next month. HON. R. MASTERS. The impression is gaining ground in Parliamentary circles that the Hon. R. Masters. Minister of Education, may resign his seat in the Legislative Council to contest one of the Taranaki sears as an official Coalition candidate. Since Mr Mastdrs’s assumption of Cabinet rank, there lias been much criticism concerning the transference ol so imnortnnt a portfolio as Education to the Upper House, and it is an open secret that the admission to Cabinet of the late leader of the Legislative Council was resented by a section of the United Party. It is now suggested in the lobbies that the election provides Mr Masters with an opportunity to silence his critics by allowing himself to he nominated as a Coalition candidate. Hemont, at present held by Mr Wilkinson (Independent), a bitter opponent of the Coalition, is mentioned as the seat likely to be contested. One obstacle in the way, however, is the appearance in the lists of a Reform nominee, Mr F. Gawith whose candidature was announced some months ago, but it is stated that a n adjustment could he made should Mr Masters decide to stand. Mr Masters represented Stratford in Parliament from 1919 to 1925, when lie was unseated hv Mf E. Walter (Reform), who at the 1928 election was defeated by the present Independent member, Mr Poison.

EGMONT SEAT. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association ) HAWEIU, October 28A rumour that Mr R. Masters is to be nominated as a Coalition candidate to oppose Mr Wilkinson tor. Egmont is discounted by a letter from Hon. J. G. Coates to Mr F. Gawith, official Reform candidate, in which Mr Gawith is informed that he is the Coalition nominee. Mr Coates further states that where both United and Reform candidates iiav e been nominated to oppose a sitting member, the Government will choose between the two. The list of seiccttd candidates for sneli electorates will be- published shortly. SELECTING CANDIDATES. AUCKLAND, October 27. The selection of Coalition candidates to contest Auckland Metropolitan seats advano-d to-day, when the situation in three constituencies were clarified. The developments included the endorsement of Mr J. A. C. Allum and Mr R. Harryatt as Coalition candidates for- Auckland West and Auckland Suburbs respectively, and a decision by Sir George Richardson, Refrom candidate for Auckland East to retire ‘in favour of the sitting member, Mr J. Donald. WELLINGTON, October 27.

Party representatives from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin met at W-ellinaton to-day, when the question of candidates at the coming elections was fully discussed. An assurance was given that everything would be done to avoid vote splitting, and embarrassments, and conflicts at the polls. TIMA.RU, October 27. There was a good attendance of Reform Party supporters at a meeting held to-night, when it was decided to enter into the spirit of the Coalition Government and call themselves Coalitionists. The following resolution was carried unanimously:— “That this meeting of Coalition Government supporters is prepared to abide bv the choice of the Coalition Cabinet in the selection of the candidate to contest the Timani seat.”