THE GREY SEAT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 142, 17 June 1913, Page 7

THE GREY SEAT

LABOUR, LIBERAL, AND REFORM CANDIDATES [BX tßLlSdftAttt— SPBCIAt TO Tftt^fllt.J GREYMOUTH, This Day. The chief development in the Grey election campaign has been the advent into the field of Mr P. C. Webb (president of the federation of Labour), who Will contest the seat as a straight-out Socialist. He will have the SocialistLabour organisation behind him, but as the arbitration element is pretty strong in some of them Professor Mills is to be imported to beat the recalcitrant element into line. The task is likely to be a difficult one, as Mr, Webb's man* is' .diminished since last election, .and the Liberal candidate (Mr. M. Hannan) is bound to take a great many votes from him, particularly in Reefton. The Liberals had their first rally last night, when the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr. G. Perkins) declared straight out for Mr. Hannan, who, in response to a cheerjne reception, stated that he hsd declined to stand as a member of the Reform Party or as an Independent, but preferred to support the Liberals, though he reserved to himself the tight to at all times support progressive legislation designed to advance the interests of the mass of the people. The Reform Party also held an enthusiastic meeting, whett it was reported that a very large number of signatures had been received to a requisition to Mr. Michel requesting him to contest the* seat on. the party's behalf. Those present expressed their opinion that Mr. Michel would make a magnificent fight for the seat, and it was decided to send, a deputation representative of the important centres in the electorate to Hokitika to-day to present the petition to Mr. Michel, who, it is hoped, will accede to the request and carry the reform banner into Grey.