THE AUCKLAND EAST SEAT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13742, 25 May 1910, Page 7

THE AUCKLAND EAST SEAT.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

AUCKLAND, May 24

It has been decided by the Opposition Party not to 'bring out an official candidate for the Auckland East seat. This decision has been arrived at in view of Mr Arthur M. Myers's declaration to the Opposition organiser (Mr Martin), that he will stand as an absolutely independent candidate, bound to no political party. Mr Myers has also undertaken, according to Mr Martin, not to move or second the Address-in-R*ply (if askedK nor attend a Government caucus next session, to snpport or oppose the Government according to whether he approves or disapproves of their measures. Mr Myers's capable occupancy of tho Mayoral chair of Auckland also actuated the decision of tho Opposition supporters in the City East electorate.

(srEfiu, to "tke press/*) AUCKLAND, May 24. The attitude taken up by the Reform Party in connection with tho Auckland East" by-election was explained to-day by Mr" Martin, Opposition organiser, to a -'Herald -, reporter. Mr Martin stated that the decision not to run any official candidate in the interests of the Reform Party had been arrived at titer mature consideration. "It is

perfectly clear," ho said, "that the Government recognise the fact that although the late member (Mr Baume) •>\as .a Government supporter, they have no possible chance of retaining the seat with any candidate pledged to support them. * Assuming, therefore, that Mr Myers will be returned, it will readily be se«j?i that from his independent attitude he is just as likely to support the Opposition Party as to support the Government. In view of the treatment accorded to Auckland In the Government, I should say the chances are in our favour. The position in a nutshell is that if Mr Myers is elected, tho Government will have lost half a seat, and the Reform Party will have a corresponding gain. Prominent Oppositionists who know Mr Myers very well," concluded Mr Martin, "arc assured that his independence will be very different to that oif some members who, after being elected, have walked straight to tho Government fold."

(FRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, May 24. In meeting his supporters to-night, Mr Arthur M. Myers, who is standing for the City East seat, briefly announced hi& political views. Ho pronounced himself a Liberal, and came out as an independent, entirely unfettered by any party. Although the line of demarcation between the present parties in tho House was very narrow, thoro was no doubt, ho said, that the present Government were the representatives of the Liberal Party, and he assured his audience that he would support the presont Administration so long as they advanced Liberal principles. The best of governments went astray at times, however, and in such cases he would act on his own judgment and would vote against tho Government where ho considered that it introduced measures which wero not in the best interests of the city and the country. Ho did not want the Opposition to understand that ho was going to join their party, because he was not. He urged justice for Auckland, and declared that if Aucklanders returned men to Parliament who would not endorse everything the Government did, the Government would not treat Auckland with the contempt it had shown. He would endeavour to secure justice for Captain Knyvott, and he would, he said, vote against the Government if it would not grant a fresh enquiry into his case and the charges he had made.