GOVERNMENT NOMINEES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 98, 25 April 1908, Page 9

GOVERNMENT NOMINEES.

A PRONOUNCEMENT. Government support to Parliamentary candidates was referred to by Mr. E. Gallichan, general secretary of the Liberal^ and Labour Federation of New Zealand, at last night's meeting of the Wellington branch, presided" over by Mr. George Winder. Mr. Gallichan said that "as thero are conflicting rumours in circulation which may cause uneasiness among a section of our party, it will not be out' of olace if a reference is made respecting the political aspect generally. "Taking the Wellington South and North seats, these are already held by gentlemen who support the party, and there is no necessity to even dream of any other candidates for these particular electorates, and their positions are especially strong. "With respect to the other Wellington seats, Sir Joseph Ward has made no announcement, and until he does so, no gentleman can say he has, or has not, the party's support. "With one or two exceptions, this applies throughout the Dominion. Where the sitting members are Government supporters, change is unnecessary, but where they are not, the Eight Hon. the Premier will — when the time is opportune — make definite announcements. "I merely make this statement so that the supporters of tho party may know exactly where they are, and would urge you not to pledge yourselves to any particular aspirant for Parliamentary honours for the present, so that should .your advice be sought in coming to a decision in the interest of the party you may give an unbiased opinion." Continuing, he explained that as Sir Joseph Ward went through the country making this announcement, those present would see that what he had stated was tho correct position.