EGMONT SEAT VACANT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 63, 1 August 1912, Page 4

EGMONT SEAT VACANT

POSSIBLE CANDIDATES. By Telegraph—Parliamentary ReporterWellington, Last Night. Tin 1 appointment of Mr. Mackenzie as High Commissioner means that the JSgmont seat is rendered vacant. At thelast election Air Mackenzie fought the seat_ on beha'f of the Ward Administration anil after a strenuous contest the sitt : inui.b»r was defeated by a. cojifortab'e nu jority. As to the future it is understood that Mr. Wilkinson (at present abroad) will contest the seat.. Mr. I'ive is unlikely to stand, <u>d it is a question a t» whether Mr. K. M«Nab v: Mr. W. 1. Jennings will be the Op;josit : on nominee. The contest will be watched with the greatest interestAt t'.i> las-, election the Hon. T. Mackenzie secured a majority largely on the str.;,igth of p'.emises of Government support ir. eoi.i.eetion with railway and; road d'nc(.pn cut. Then the Government went out and the Maseev Govcrnrnaat is iu power, so that now it will be a it Might ci'Mest between the arrayed, for:.-' Sot -Jie G.-.-ernment and the Opposition. It will probably be one of the most intevt.ninf; by-elections that has taken placu h New Zealand for many years

MR. jVIA( KEJi ZIE'S INTENTIONS. The Hon Tlios. Mackenzie will leave for the ooiiili to night. He lias intimated that he will require two or three weeks to aroint his private affairs, and the nutters lie has in hand in connection wic'i hi*, constituency. As soon as Mr. Mackenzie is ready his Excellency the Go.-Kinn- \v! i he advised to make the apo-int-noii. This will, of course, involve his mignution of his seat in the House of Fepresmutives as member for Egtnont. I'iie Government candidate for the seit will l.e Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, who is n r t iiver in the district and a man of nic".' ih-Ui (iiamary ability. He is at. proven' reluming from a visit to Canada. It is understood, however, that he will be back in New Zealand in time for the election. Mr. Wake, who contested the election in 1905, claims to be the Opposition candidate. Mr. Jennings, formerly member for Tanmarunui, who was ousted at the hist election bv Mr. Wilson (a Masseyite), may also' be a candidate 011 the Opposition side, aiul Mr. Hive, who was displaced at last election! may also stand. In the event of Mr. Wilkinson failing to contest the constituency, it is certain that Mr. E. Maxwell, of Rahotu, or, • of Taranaki's. ablest and 'nost experienced local politicians. will receive the Government's nomination. Tile Government sceiiv (juite confident of winning the seat, in which event their ra? jt'Uy in the Housewill be incr< i»,«J by two votes.