Parnell Poll on May 7

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 945, 11 April 1930, Page 10

Parnell Poll on May 7

MR. DONALD’S NARROW SHAVE THE Registrar of Electors, Mr. F. Evans, received word this morning that a writ liad been issued authorising an election to till the vacancy in the Parnell electorate uuent upon the’resignation of Mr. H. E. Jenkins.

The writ appoints May T as the date of the election, and noon, April ”4, as the latest hour at w'. ch nominations of candidates can oe received. The Electoral Act requires that all candidates must have resided for one year in New Zealand. Some doubt was expressed as to whether Mr. Alan Donald, tlie United Partys ’candidate, would fulfil this qualification, but as Mr. Donald arrived from England on April 21 and the nominations close on April 24, he fulfils the requirements of the Act. Consequent upon the issue of the writ, the electoral roll will close this evening. At six o’clock the registrar's box will be cleared, and after that hour no more applications for inclusion on the electoral roll for the present election will be received. POSTAL FACILITIES A special reminder is given electors that the postal voting facilities are available to those who will be absent from New Zealand on polling day, those who will not be within five miles of a polling booth oil that day, those whom travel will preclude from visiting a booth, and those ill aud infirm. Postal vote certificates and ballot papers may be obtained after the issue of the writ until the time prescribed for the close of the poll. The ballot-paper and certificate must be delivered to the returning officer before the time of closing the poll. Provision is also made for Parnell electors who will not be in a position to vote in their electorate on the day of the election. Facilities are available for these people to vote at any post office outside the electorate. The hope was expressed today by the registrar of electors, Mr. F. Evans, that the facility would not be abused. It had been found in the past that many electors were too lazy to vote in their own electorate, even when the nearest polling booth in the electorate was only a stone’s throw away. The recording of votes at post offices was intended to meet only bona fide cases where it was impossible to vote in the electorate. Voting papers have to be sent to all post offices in the Dominion in order that all absent voters should have the opportunity to vote, but Mr. Evans said it was never intended that the facilities should be utilised by those who could reasonably vote in the electorate. ABSENT SEAMEN The voting powers of seamen, who are registered electors of Parnell, and who will be absent on polling day was explained today by the Registrar of Electors. They may obtain seamen's electors rights up to and preceding the day of the poll, enabling them to vote at the office of any Collector of Customs in New Zealand at

any time between the issue of the writ and election day.

Each nominee was allowed ten min utes in which to address the nieetinand questions were subsequentlv r.sked. While tlie ballot was taken the nominees withdrew from the room a motion expressing continued contitj dice in the Reform Party, and assur tug the Leader, the Ut. Hon. J. g" Coates, of the loyal support of th'e conference had previously been carried. The opinion was also expressed by resolution that adequate publicity had been given to all meetings called to select delegates, and that sufficient notice had also been given to enable any person desirous of standing f o r selection to do so. Finally the delegates pledged themselves to abide bv the decision of the conference and loyally suport the selected candidate The announcement that Mr. Endean had been selected was received with vigorous applause, the candidate aL O being warmly congratulated by the three other aspirants. DEMOCRATIC SELECTION Mr. Endean thanked the meeting for the honour conferred upon him and gave an assurance that nothinwould be lacking on his part to ensure Reform's success at the poll. The oiiutnominee's again congratulated Mr Endean. Mr. Dickson saying: T hope you will have as long a run in Par liament as I had.” A tribute was paid by Mr. E. H Northcroft to those responsible for arranging the preliminaries leading to the conference. Mr. Glover-Clark proposed a motion expressing that send. Dent, and Mr. Jenkins seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Jenkins said he had no regrets. He was satisfied that the election had been made in a perfectly democratic way. and he was fully* prepared to abide by that decision, and would do all that he could to assist Mr. Endein's candidature. MR. ENDEAN S CAREER Mr. Endean, who is about 46 years of age, is a native of the Auckland Province. He is a sou of the late Mr John Endean. a well-known Thames and Auckland resident. Mr. Endean was educated at the Auckland Grammar School, and later gained his LL.B. degree at the Auckland University College. He commenced practice as a barrister and solicitor in Auckland about 21 years ago. In 1910 he ■joined Mr. J. A. Holloway in partnership, from which Mr. Endean retired about six months ago. Mr. Endean is well-known in sporting circles, particularly in the yachtrng world. For the past two wears he nas been commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and he has played an important part in ensuring the success of the annual Anniversary Day Regatta, having recently °een chairman of the Regatta Committee. During the war. Mr. Endean joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and saw* service in European waters. He has never previously sought political honours, hut he is known as a capable speaker and a successful member of his late profession.