HON. R. MASTERS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 55, 27 October 1931, Page 3

HON. R. MASTERS

("Post" Speeial Commisstoner)

MAY CONTEST ELECTION IN INTERESTS OF COALITION ANSWER TO PRESENT CRITICS

WELLINGTON, Monday. The impression is gaining ground in Parliamentary cireles that the Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Education, may resign his seat in tjhe Legislative Council to contest one of the Taranaki seats as the official Coalition candidate. ■ Since Mr. Master's assumption of Cabinet rank there has been a good deal of criticism of the transference of so important a portfolio as Education to the Upper House and it is an open secret that the admission to Cabinet of the former leader of the Legislative Council was resented by a seetion of the United Party. It is now being suggested that the election provides Mr. Masters with an opportunity to silence crities by allowing himself to be nominated as the Coalition candidate. Egmont, at present held by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent), who is a strong opponent of the Coalition, is mentioned as the seat lilcely to be contested. One pbstacle in the way, however, is the appearance in the lists of a Reform nominee, Mr. F. Gawith, whose vandidature was announced some months ago, but it is stated that an adjustment could be made should Mr. Masters desire to stand. Mr. Masters represented. Stratford in the House of Representatives from 1919 un'til 1925.