GENERAL ELECTIONS

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 79, 5 September 1938, Page 2

GENERAL ELECTIONS

CONTEST IN BAY OF PLENTY

MR HULTQUIST TO COMMENCE CAMPAIGN

CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS AT THE POLL

Interest in the coming election will quicken in the next week or two with the opening of the Government candidate’s campaign in the Bay of Plenty. In 1935 Mi- Huitquist commenced his electioneering as early as 10th. March—eight and a. half months before polling day, and he addressed 'in that period nearly three hundred meetings, and in the process won the confidence of 43 per cent, of the electors in a. three cornered contest, being elected with a majority of 555 votes over the Nationalist candidate. As member for the Bay of Pleiyt.v his parliamentary duties have prevented him from devoting as much time on the hustings on this occasion, but nevertheless, he will visit every nook and corner of the large and scattered district before polling day. Of course that herculean task could never be accomplished in four or five weeks, so like some other members on both sides of the-House, he will have to leave Wellington at least two weeks before the end of the session, and he will also address several meetings each day.

lii conversation with a press representative Mr Hultquist stated that he felt, as en the last occasion ; quite confident of success. “The organisation working on behalf of the Government- Party and myself ns. its candidate in the Bay of Plenty is,” said Mr Hultquist, “at least eight times as good as it was in 1933 and the Party membership is over ten times as strong. For over twelve months preparations for the campaign have been proceeding apace, and to-day they are as near to complete as it was planned they should lie.” Mr Hultquist stated that, throughout his campaign he proposed as well to attend to his usual correspondence, and other duties which were his as member for the district, and so that his work would he up-to-date all the time, Mrs Hultquist would accompany and assist him throughout, his campaign, and a stenographer as well will help in the heavy task he has set himself of efficiently representing his constituents. while ho is at the same time seeking a renewal of their confidence and their authority to continue to represent them in the next Parliament.

After the first and second sessions Mr Hultquist spoke in every part of the electorate, thus keeping his preelection pledge to visit his constituents and give an account of his stewardship- For the last twelve months however, lie lias satisfied himself by introducing Cabinet Ministers, and other private members to Ips electors. and many of them have spoken in support of Mr Hultquist’s candidature.

His fi rst.meeting will be hold at the Paper Mills on the 12th. inst., and Te Telco on the 13th. He. will leave Whakatane on the 14th and will be in other parts oi the electorate- for some time. Continuously, until the night before tile poll, Mi- Hultquist will address meetings, and all meetings will be properly advertised in the press, and by other means. From the Bth. September onwards electors who desire to correspond with Air Hultquist during his campiygn on any matter whatsoever.should address their letters to him ;c/o Post Office, Whakatane, or c/d Post Office. Gisborne, and same will be forwarded - to- addresses which have been supplied to the respective postmasters. . Thus a minimum of delay will occur in the delivery of mail to Mr Hultquist.