James O'Brien, who was first elected to represent Westland for the Labour Party in 1922 and had been Westland's MP continuously since 1928, died on 28 September 1947. This triggered the Westland by-election, which occurred on 3 December 1947.
Candidates
Labour
There were six nominations for the Labour Party candidacy:[1]
Paddy Blanchfield, the Deputy Mayor of Greymouth and member of the Grey Power Board
William J. Butler, a press gallery journalist for the Grey River Argus newspaper and former Labour Party South Island organiser
Ernie Heenan, a Hokitika businessman who was chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board and member of the Westland Hospital Board
Jim Kent, a Greymouth Borough Councillor and former chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board
Robert James Ware, district organiser of post office national savings and president of the Greymouth branch of the Labour Party and vice-president of the Westland Labour Representation Committee
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Auckland East MP Bill Schramm, who was defeated in 1946 and was originally from Hokitika, was also speculated as a possible candidate but later dismissed.[2] Ware was selected as the candidate on 24 October.[3] Five days later Ware was taken ill suddenly, the same day he was to have opened his campaign at a meeting in Ngahere. After receiving advice from his doctor he withdrew his candidacy.[4] After Ware's withdrawal Kent was selected as the candidate on 31 October.[5]
Martin Nestor, the National Party's chief research officer
Two previous National candidates from past elections, Ted Taylor and Frank Chivers, were also considered.[1] Both declined nomination, as did Patrick Joseph O'Regan, a farmer from Inangahua Junction, owing to health reasons.[6] Lockington was selected by a meeting of delegates and members of the Westland electoral committee at Greymouth on 28 October.[7]
Others
After being unsuccessful in attaining the official Labour nomination, there was speculation that Wallace would stand as an Independent Labour candidate. This did not eventuate however.[8]
Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand parliamentary election results, 1946–1987. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington Department of Political Science. ISBN0-475-11200-8.