POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1931, Page 4

POLITICAL

CANDIDATK WITHDRAWS

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

HASTINGS, October 28

Mr George Roach, -Mayor of Hastings, the United candidate, who was chosen to contest the Hawke's Bay seat against Mr 11. M. Campbell, Reform member, has withdrawn h s candidature. The committee supporting Mr Roach met yesterday to consider a telegram from the Hon. R. Masters, it was decided to recommend Mr Roach to accede to 'the Prune Minister's request that he should withdraw.

Mr Forbes has been advised of Mr

•Roach's decision

TO AVOID VOTE-SPLITTING

■SELECTION OF CANDIDATES

WELLINGTON, October 28

All sitting members of the ForbesC'oates Government, together with Mr W. J. Poison (Inflepeiiedeut, Stratford) have received the official endorsement of their candidature in the interests of the Coalition at the coming general election. It is understood that to preserve party identity all the officio! Coaliuon nominees, with the exception of Independent supporters, will be described as either United Coalitionists or Reform Coalitionist's. Some doubts had been raised as to the status of sitting members of the Condition, and when the point was referred 'this afternoon to Mr Forbes and Mr Coates, both leaders said that they thought the original statements had made the position perfectly clear, namely that in every case the sitting supporter of the Coalition would be the official candidate at the polls. That was the arrangement and it would be carried out.

In reply to a query as to the status of a member such as Mr H. Atmore (Nelson) who had voted against the Government, Mr Forbes said that members who voted against the Coalition could hardly be regarded as supporters of it. Mr Forbes added that there had been a “break away” by other members—about half a dozen of them over the abolition of the graduated land tax, but isolated cases such as those did not indicate of confidence in 'the Coalition. Mr Forbes made it clear that sitting supporters of the Coalition had received the official endorsement of their candidature. According to lobby reports the task of adjusting the candidatures to avoid vote splitting and carry out the ; terms of the Coalition is meeting with much greater success than was anticipated. A conference of United Party organisations yesterday .agreed to co-operate to the fullest in avoiding vote splitting and ensuring the return of ' Conation candidates, and although Reform organisations have not met- jointly, it is gathered that arrangements have now to be made with respect to three seats expedite the business of the House for the remainder of the sittings will be continued until midnight and members will meet on Saturday.