THE DISTRICT MEETINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 70, 24 March 1926, Page 11

THE DISTRICT MEETINGS.

DECIAEATIONS BY CHAIRMEN. \ •<■' ".NO INFLUENCE 'USED. ~: ' . The gentlemen who presided at the district meetings held to appoint delegates to the selection conference have all made sworn statements to the effect that the proceedings were regular an.l conducted in a proper and impartial manner. The declarations appear below:—• I, FRANKLIN S. SHEPHERD, of Te ■ Atatu r do make oath and say that at a meeting of the Te Atatu branch of the New Zealand Political Reform League, constitutionally called by the organiser. Mr. ,Dayj', and held in the school, Te Atatu, oil February 24. 1020. The .meeting, presided over by myself, was conducted fairly and openly. Mr. Davy read- the procedure of selecting a candidate from the rules of the above league, and I conducted the meeting strictly along these lines. Mr. Davy did not indicate to the meeting the advisability of any particular candidate being selected. Any allegations that the Te Atatu meeting was stacked for any particular candidate, or that the organiser attempted to influence members present, or the delegate chosen, I declare to be untrue and without foundation of fact, and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true by virtue of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1908. FRANKLIN S. SHEPHERD. Sworn before mc at Te Atatu, this 20th day of March, 1926. J. H. FRAY, ■ : Justice of the Peace. I, THOMAS COT7RGTENAY, of Point Chevalier, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I was chairman of the meeting held on Thursday. February 25, in the Boating Club's Hall. Point Chevalier, for the, purpose of choosing delegates to the selection conference, held on March 1. 1926.: in the Kozie Theatre, Mount Albert, to select a candidate for Eden by-election. I hereby nssert that the meeting was properly called and conducted, in accordance with the constitution and rules of the New Zealand Political Reform Party, and the result was a delegation attended the Kozie Picture Theatre and 'without Any previous consultation as to vvhom the,y ; ,were to individually support, exorcised their own individuality in their choice. ; I,further assert nnjl affirm that Mr. Davy did. not at any. time, by word or deed, attempt to influence our members or the meeting to vote for any candidate whatever, but on the contrary was most impartial in his conduct. I further assert that no name was mentioned by Mr. Davy in connection with.the forthcoming , selection of a candidate. And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1908. THOMAS COURGTENAY. Declared at Auckland this 22nd day of March, 1926, before mc, JONATHAN W. COLEMAN, Justice of the Peace. I. JOHN HILL FRAY, a Jj'stice of the Peace for Now Zealand, do solemnly and sincerely declare— (1) That at a meeting of supporters of the Reform party, called by advertisement, and held in St. Enoch's Hall, Morningside, on .the 26th of February, 1926, I was chairman of such meeting oi the Edendale branch.

(2) On the motion of Mrs. Russell, an avowed supporter of Miss Melville, it was decided to disallow "plumping." (3) That Mr. A. E. Davy in no way attempted to influence the choice of delegates, or direct as.to the advisability of "plumping" or otherwise. (Signed) J. H. FRAY. Declared before mc at Auckland this 22nd day of March, 1926. ALBERT J. STRATFORD, Justice of the Peace. I, CHARLES FISHER GARDNER, of New Lynn, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I was chairman of the meeting, held on February 23, 1020, in St. Thomas' Hall. New Lynn, held for the purpose of selecting delegates to the selection conference, at the Kosie Theatre. Mount Albert, on Monday, March 1, 1920. The meeting was conducted strictly in accordance with the rules and constitution of the New Zealand Political Reform League. That no endeavour was made by anyone to influente 'hose present in the seieftion of, delegates. No balltft was necessary, as the nom'hatlons received did not exceed the number of delegates required, but the organiser. Mr. Davy, called for further nominations prior to. the delegates nominated baing declared elected. During the meeting the organiser, Mr. Davy, acted in a strictly impartial manner. And I make th'.fi solemn declaration fonsc er.iiously believing the same to be true. a::d by virtue of the Justices of the Pca-.e Act/ISVJS. C. F. GARDNER. Declared at Mount Albert this 22nd day of March, 1020, before mc. J. H. FRAY. Justice of the Peace. I, THOMAS Mc-KAY, of Henderson, do solemnly and sincerely declare that 1 was chairman of the meting held in the Cool Stores. Henderson, on Saturday, February 27. l!) 20. The meeting. was constitutional' called and conducted in accordance with the rules of the New Zealand Political Reform League. No preference was shown to any candidate or the meeting influenced by the organiser. A ballot was taken for the election o! delegates, and those selected were advised by Mr. Davy to go to the election conference with an open mind, and after hearing the candidate's address, to vote for the best. I affirm that the organiser acted throughout the'whole meeting in a fair, honest and impartial manner. And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the Justices of the Peace Act, * 1908. THOMAS MeKAY. Declared at Auckland this 22nd day of March, 192 C, before mc. " J. H. FRAY, Justice of the Peace. I, ROWLAND WOOD, , of Swanson, do solemnly and sincerely declare that at a meeting of .the Swanson branch of the Reform League, held at Swanson, February 27, 1926, we elected delegates to the conference at Mount Albert, March 1. 192 C, to choose a candidate for the electorate.. The organiser carried out his duties in a fair and impartial .manner, leaving the delegates ;an absolutely free hand in the choice. -And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by, virtue of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1908. . • . ROWLAND WOOD. Declared at Mount Albert this 22nd day of March, 1926, before mc. J. 11. FRAY, Justice of the Peace. I, WILLIAM HENRY SHEPHERD, , . .of Glen Eden, do solemnly and sincerely declare that a meeting, constitutionally called by the organiser of the Reform League Party, held at-Glen Eden, on Tuesday, February 23. 1920, for the purpose of electing deJegates to a conference to select a candidate for Etleii electorate.' was carried out impartially, and that the organiser in no way whatever influenced .or atinfluence, either the meeting, or those present or the selected delegates, in favdur of any candidate, but was absolutely disinterested in his procedure at that meeting or any other time. And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1908. WILLIAM H. SHEPHERD. Declared at Mount Albert this 22nd day of March, 1926, before mc, J. H. FRAY. Justice of the Peace. I, FRANK FIRTH, of Oratia, do make oath and say that I, as chairman of the meeting of the Oratia branch of the New Zealand Political Reform League, met to choose delegates to select a candidate on February 23, 1926. take strong exception to the allesations' made by Miss Melville and Mr. Oldfield. The meeting was rightly called and rightly conducted, a ballot was taken, and delegates elected who had clearly indicated their preference for a candidate other than Gunson. The question was raised as to whether the delegates should be instructed by the mestimr as to how' they should vote. Mr. Davy endorsed the chairman's attitude that the delegates should have a free hanJ. The organiser was absolutely impartial, and did not indicate either to the meeting or to the delegates any particular candidate. As a Gunson supporter I held the belief that the organiser did not favour my man. I deny emphatically that this meeting was' stacked, and deplore the unfair at?ar-'< not only on the orua-niser and myself, but Reform supporters generally in Oratia * And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, by virtue of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1908. F. FIRTH. Sworn before mc at Oratia this 20th day of March, 1926. J. H. FRAY, Justice of the Peace. I, JAMES WALTER SINTON, Store Manager, of Hobsonville, do solemnly and sincerely declare that the meeting held at Hobsonville on February 24 was carried out without any preference being shown for any candidate, as Mr. Davy said that anyone selected by delegates would be accepted by the Government as the Reform candidate, and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously, believing the same.i to be true,.and by virtue of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1908. • JAMES WALTER SINTON. Declared at Mount Albert thie 22nd dar of March, 1926, before mc. J J. H. FRAY, Justice of the Peace. i ! .._...- —j-.-ior:--. £»•"--.'"•■

I, WAL.TOX GEO. WAUGH, of Massey, do solemnly and sincerely declare that a meeting was held of the Massey branch of the New Zealand Reform League to elect delegates. to the conference to choose a candidate for the Eden electorate. The meeting was conducted fairly, and was not influenced in any shape or form. Mr. Davy was asked who was the likely candidate, but refused to name anyone, leaving the delegates to make their own choice, and 1 make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and Sγ virtue of the Justices of the Peace 'Act, 1908. WALTON GEO. WAUGH. Declared at .Mount Albert this 22nd day of March, 1020, before mc. j J. H. FRAY, : • Justice of the Peace. ] I r, ROBERT GLASGOW, of Taupaki, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I was chairman of the. meting, held on Saturday, February 27, 1925. in Station ball, iaupaki, he.d for the purpose of sc-eeting delegates to the selection con-; ferente, at the Kosic Theatre. Mount | Albert, on Monday, March 1, 1020. The ii.eetins was con Uieied strictly in .aaitirdauce with tlu rules and coiistitu-1 tlon of t:ie New Zealand Political Re- [ lorm League, and no reieren. c to any candidate was made by Mr. Davy, and i make this solemn declaration con- | ccientiously 'believing the same to be: true, and by virtue of the Justices of ■ the Peace Act, 190 S. I R. GLASGOW. Dozlar.ed at Mount Albert this 22nd day of March, 1925, before mc. W. R. LEIGHTON, Justice of the Peace. J 1. AXDREW CLARKE CAUGHEY. of Mount Albert, Auckland, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I was chairman of the meeting held at Mount Albert on Wednesday, February 24, called for tha purpose of electing delegated to attend a conference to select a candidate for the Eden byelection. To tlie best of my knowledge and belief the meeting was called in a ' constitutional manner. All proceedings were conducted in a fair and honourable j way. The organiser read the procedure ' laid down by the Reform Party for the I selection oi delegates, and this was strictly adhered to throughout .the meeting. Mount Albert branch was entitled I to 26 delegates, and as 39 persons were nominated, a ballot was necessary. Unfortunately, as the result of the ballot a number of well-known Reform supporters who had been nominated, were not included among the 26 delegates selected. At the conclusion of the ballot the organiser, who appeared to be most Impartial, appealed to the delegates selected not to be tied down to any candidate before going to the conference, but to go with an open mind, listen ito, and question the candidates, and then record their votes a=? their conscience dictated. I might add that I am firmly of the opinion that the statement alleged to be made by some of the unsuccessful candidates that the meeting of delegates was ■ "packed and crooked" is absolutely incorrect and without foundation in fact. As a known supporter of the party for many years I give it as my emphatic opinion that the proceedings to select a candidate were democratic, fair and honourable. Until I entered the assembly I hall, Mr. Davy, the organiser, lip.d no communication whatever with mc in reference to the Eden election or any other matter, and it was not on his motion or suggestion that I was elected chairman, and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the Justices of ths Peace Act, 190 S. A. C. CAUGHEY. Declared at Auckland this 23rd day of March, 1926, before mc, W. A. THOMPSON, Justice of the Peace. I, JAMES PROCTOR , BLAIR, of Spring Street, Morningside, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I was chairman of the meeting held on Friday, February 26, 1926, in St. Enoch's Hall, Morningside, for the purpose of choosing delegates to the selection conference, held March 1, in Kosie Theatre, Mount Albert to select a candidate for Eden by-election. The meeting was properly called and conducted in accordance with the rules and constitution of the Xew Zealand Political Reform League. Seven delegates were required to represent Edendale branch, and it was agreed by the meeting that in balloting for them that seven nominees must be voted for or the voting paper would be invalid. Twenty-three delegates were require.! to represent Morningside branch, and by resolution of the meeting, it was decided that valid voting papers must contain at least 20 names. The organiser (Mr. Davy) did not by word or deed attempt to influence our members or the meeting to vote for any particular candidate, but acted quite impartially throughout' the meeting. After the ballot was taken I appealed to the elected delegates to support the selected candidate, whether it was Miss Melville or ul»* of the other candidates, and I make this solemu declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, by virtue of the Justices of the Peace Act. 1908. JAMES PROCTOR BLAIR. Declared at Morningside this 23rd day of March. IQ2O, before mc. J. H. FRAY, Justice of the Peace.