SINISTER RUMOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 152, 27 June 1914, Page 4

SINISTER RUMOURS.

JERRYMANDERING THE ELECTORATES. CLEARING THE FIELD. MR. RUSSELL OX REFORM TACTICS.' <Ey Tetcgrnnti.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLIKGTOiN". Friday. The difficulties which confront the Keforni party in some of the electorates in the choice, of candidates was made the occasion of some vigorous and bitin" comment l>\- Mr. Russell in the House to-night, lie approached the topic by remarking tii.it meet (sinister rumour's were going about the country that tho Government wore jerrymandering tho electorates, first they repealed the ecu. or.d baiir.t. after declaring they were "fling to provide a ffubstituto. (Hear, hear.) Their failure to keep faith was the cause of all the trouble lust year, but the Goveminent di.l not want a substitute. Ko they minted the "first past the post," said the member for Avon, adding, amid a gust of Opposition laughter, "unci now they are getting a foretaste of it. WTlst happens in the Bay of Islands? Two Re. form candidates came along, and, mention ii not in (".'nth, but we actually tee it published in n Government newspaper that Mr. Wilkinson was approached to see if he would consent to nomination for the Upper House. (Oppositionist*: Oil. oh.) But all efforts to persuade him were fruitless. He firmly refused. Hon. Mr. P-hodes: Who supplier! the information ? Mr. Ru-srli: I expect rt was Mr Panne (Laughter.) Tlie Minister: It must have been fttppile,! by a member of the Opposition. (Roars of Opposition ftrughter.l Mr. Riifspll: Doe s tho Hon. the Prims Mbiistcr deny that. "Mr. Wilkinson was put on that li«t of appointees; L The Prime Minister: Nobody has seen tiint list. (Renewed Opposition rnerri- I Mr. Russell Well. T a-m told that tlio list lins a great number of names mi it, something like 100. and I am even toM thin Mr. P.'iiek. of Palmersron Xortti. j was among the number. Here, in any I ca=e. is an instance of the great, ptir'o political party of Re-form. ('Laucrhtor and eonflietin?: cries.) The Ton. Ins. Allen sup-cristed i?ta.t a very mild irnatrination had been tetvititr full piny. Ai for the Ray of 'Islands seat and Mr. RuiekVi supposed offer, he hid • nl-HMtre in stntiisr that neither Xr. Wilkinson nor Mr Bniek Imd been offered a sent in the Le.trielative Council. Mr. Russell: Perhaps they arc on {'jo list! (Laughter.)