MASTERTON SEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1941, Page 4

MASTERTON SEAT

SOME POSSIBLE CANDIDATES. NAMES MENTIONED UNOFFICIALLY. There is some speculation on the part of voters in the Masterton electorate as to who is likely to be the National Party’s candidate at the forthcoming general election, that is, of course, if the international situation permits an election to be held. Several names have been mentioned as those of possible candidates and there seems to be a probability that an outsider may be selected. No selection has been made officially so far nor have any nominations been called for.. Among names that have been mentioned unofficially are those of Mr G. R. Sykes, who was member for Masterton from 1911 to 1935; Mr T. Jordan, Mayor of Masterton and President of the Municipal Association; Mr R. G. Kebbell, a well-known farmer of Alfredton and a prominent member of the Farmers’ Union, and Mr G. H. Mackley, late General Manager of the New Zealand Railways. Before a selection is made the annual meeting of the Masterton branch of the National Party will be held and it is expected that this will take place this month, after which a conference of the electorate committee will take place to elect a candidate. There is some talk, also, of a Democratic Labour Party candidate contesting the seat and in this connection the name of Mr E. J. Esler, who is president of the Masterton branch, has been mentioned as that of a possible candidate. At the annual meeting of the branch this week two names were selected for submission to head office in Wellington. Mr J. Robertson, Labour member of Masterton since 1935. has been unanimously selected as the official candidate for the Labour Party.