Unpredictable Mr Shand

However confident the National Party might feel about its stand on the national level, it cannot be too happy about its chances in Nelson. To make matters worse, Mr. Shand, the unpredictable National M.P. for Marlborough, instead of lying low and saying nothing, has been one of the loudest of those denouncing the plan, although the line would run through part of his electorate. Most New Zealanders will agree with him that the line would be a "shocking waste of public funds," but many people in Marlborough will nut. To complete the local picture, one E. P. Meachen is reported to have declared himself "amazed" at Mr. Shand's niggardly attitude to such a generous offer from the Pork Barrel. Mr. Meachen is chairman of the Nelson - Marlborough - West Coast League of Local Bodies, which sounds like a pressure group to be reckoned with. What is more interesting, he was Labour M.P. for Marlborough until Mr. Shand roared out or the back-blocks to defeat him in 1946. Perhaps he is thinking of running for his old seat again this year?

J.D.