“FIRST IN THE FIELD”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 477, 5 October 1928, Page 13

“FIRST IN THE FIELD”

CANDIDATE RETIRES UNFAIR TREATMENT ALLEGED Hissatisfaction at the treatment meted out to him by the Liberal and Parties in connection with his candidature for the Hauraki seat is expressed by Mr. J. S. de Montalk in announcing his retirement from the contest. In a statement given to The Sun touay. Mr. de Montalk stated that he the I fi . rst Liberal candidate in the < i’ts nd in coram °n with many other candidates throughout New Zealand had come out under the impression that feir Joseph Ward would again lead the party. lie had already done a considerable amount of preliminary organising when the announcement of Sir Joseph* Ward's acceptance of the leadership of the United Party was announced. lie immediately got into communication with Sir Joseph, pointing out that Mr. L. B. Allan had already been chosen as the United Party’s candidate, and asking what he should do under the circumstances. A reply was received from the organiser, said Mr. de Mon talk, regretting that the circumstances made it necessary for him to retire from the contest, and suggested that he should contest the Franklin seat. In his letter he had made no suggestion that he should retire. Rather, he considered that with Sir Joseph taking over the leadership of the new party, his Liberal candidates who were already in the field should be given some consideration in the matter of nomination by the new party. The question, he considered, was whether Mr. Allan or he should retire. lie regretted that party politics had advanced to such a stage that parties could dictate as to who should have the opportunity of representing the people. Under such conditions it was impossible to get the best men as candidates. t Although he was fairly well known in the Franklin electorate it was impossible for him at this stage to make preparations to contest the seat, and he had no option but to retire. Other Liberal candidates throughout New Zealand would no doubt be placed in a similar position, added Mr. de Montalk. Mr. de Montalk stated that as far as he and Mr. Allan and the other candidates * were concerned there was nothing but the friendliest relations, and he was quite sure the same spirit would characterise the contests in the Hauraki electorate.