Sir J. Gunson Will Stand

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 411, 20 July 1928, Page 1

Sir J. Gunson Will Stand

TO CONTEST SUBURBS SEAT

Must be “Official” Reform Candidate

PROVIDED lie is selected as the official Reform candidate. Sir James Gunson will stand for the Auckland Suburbs seat at the approaching Parliamentary elections. He gave this reply this morning when the deputation which waited on him two weeks ago, assembled to hear his decision.

“I admit the obligation following the by-election; also the provisional undertaking to which you drew my attention, that I would consider again standing, and I appreciate the representative character of your request, coming as it does from both the old and the new territory of the electorate. “I have now pleasure In intimating that, provided I am selected as the official Government candidate, I am prepared to contest the seat. “On account of my wife being ab-

The text of Sir James’s reply was as follows

sent from New Zealand. I shall, in the event of my standing, he without her help. I, therefore, all the more appreciate promises of loyal support

from tlie women throughout the electorate.

"If I stand I shall be dependent upon unity, both in the party and among its supporters, carrying us to victory. In no other way can the seat he re-won for the Government. To secure such a victory, in the event of my being selected to contest the seat, you may rely upon my best effort, but throughout the campaign and at the polls I shall need the united help of all friends and supporters of the Government. Otherwise any effort of mine would very likely be futile. So soon as the official selection is made, in the event of it falling upon me, I shall be duly available for the campaign.” ‘‘ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY” Mr. W. H. Shepherd, Glen Eden, who headed the deputation, said he regarded the reply as entirely satisfactory. “I assure him that we will do our level best in our part of the electorate to secure his return,” he said. “The essence of the campaign will be unity. “Without speaking of the gentlemen who have already announced themselves, I believe this question can be handled judiciously, that the atmosphere can be cleared, and that we will go to the poll with one candidate only. “I believe it is up to us to do our best and preserve unity in supporting the gentleman we have asked to stand in our interests.” After several representatives had expressed their appreciation of Sir James’s reply a motion was passed pledging those present to use every legitimate means to secure his return. Sir James indicated that he would take no further action pending the selection of the official candidate.