THE PARNELL SEAT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1245, 29 September 1911, Page 5

THE PARNELL SEAT.

MR. LA WRY AND HIS SUPPORTERS. A large ■ gathering of Parnell electors assembled at the Paruell Oddfellows' Hall on Monday evening (says the "Herald") to hear a declaration by Mr. P. La wry, M.P., as to his intentions in regard to tho coming election. The intention had been that Mr. .Lawry should meet only his more prominent supporters, and a small room had been engaged for the occasion. Owing to a misunderstanding, however, a large number of people assembled outside tho hall, and it was therefore decided to engage tho hall itself, and to admit allcomers The hall was well tilled, and many had only standing room. Mr. W. Johns was voted to the chair. Mr. Lawry, in the courso of his address, 6aid that if it. had been the old Parnell that had to be considered, he would have carried out his previous promise to again contest the seat. "But," ho said, '.'the present Parnell is not the old Par'liell. 1 "I"believe ; I, still retain 1 the "great confidence that' has always been bestowed upon my by. the borough :of Parnell— (Hear, hear)—and I believe I still hold tho confidence of : Newmarket. : I could, however, get only a small modicum of votes in Remuera. (A voice: "You would get a lot in Greenlane, Frank"—laughter.) . Mr. Lawry, continuing, said that ho knew nothing about tho new'portion of the district, and that after mature consideration he had decided that at his time of life, and after his unbroken record of 21 years' service—(A voice: "You are not going to desert us, Frank?")—it would be very unwise for him to risk a defeat. Mr. J. M'Coll, fonr., expressed regret at Mr. I.awry's retirement. "1 say plainly," lie said, turning to Mr. Lawry, that tho dictation of the Prime Minister has'gone forth to you that you must retire. Is that not 'true ?"■ Mr. Lawry: No, it is not true. Voices: No! Not true! Mr. M'Coll was persisting in his statement, but tho chairman informed him that he must accept Mr. Lawry's- denial. An doctor walked up to the edge of tho platform, and spoke to Mr. Lawry. 'Aro you retiring because you are frightened of Moss?" was all that could bo heard of the conversation.

Another elector, who went on tho platform, began to catechise Mr. Lawry as to his actions during tho past 21 years. As he persisted in making "irrelevant remarks, which led to considerable uproar, tho chairman eallwl a constable, who induced tho elector to retire from the platform. . Mr. .M'Coll again came forward, and said he wished to move a motion in support of the candidature of Sir John Findlay. • _ I'lio chairman said that he wished to move another motion first. He moved that a hearty vote of thanks be passed to Mr. Lawry for his long and faithful services. Mr. M'Coll seconded tho motion. Mr. Isaac Hill, in supporting the Motion, said that he believed that if Mr. Lawry had again gono to the' poll he would have put up a good fight, and would have probably won the seat. (Hear, hear.) The motion was carried by acclamation. Mr. Lawry, in returning thanks, said he was proud of the resolution that they had carried. Ho again denied that ho was retiring at tho dictation of Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. M'Coll: Yes; "I said that, and it is true. (Uproar.) Mr. Lawry: Let me tell you that I never consulted Sir Joseph Ward or any .other member of tho Cabinet as to tho course I intended to take. Another elector, who took the platform, said that they did not want any Labourites, Socialists, or fanatics to represent them.—(Uproar.) "I think," ho said, "that Sir John Findlay, although defeated in Wellington—(Voices: No! No! Hoots and uproar)—is the man we should support." (Hear, hear.) Mr. M'Coll said there was no need to go out of Parnell for a candidate. Ho proposed Mr. Isaac Hill as a suitable caudidate. (Renewed uproar.) "Sir John Findlay," ho said, "is being put upon us whether we like it or not. Frank Lawry has more brains than Sir John Findlay, and your humble servant has a few brains too." (Laughter.) Tho chairman then declared the meeting closed. Cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Lawr.v. Groans for tho Opposition wero called for, but there was but a faint response.