MR. A. de B. BEANDON.

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 43, 19 February 1918, Page 3

MR. A. de B. BEANDON.

About a hundred and fifty electors, including a considerable number .- of women, attended Mr. A. de B. Brandon's meeting at St. Paul's Schoolroom, Tina-kori-road, last night, Mr. A. E. Whyte presided,' and, in opening the' meeting, expressed the opinion that Mr. Massey, in selecting a candidate, should have selected one who held somewhat similar views to those held by the late member. For instance, Mr. Herdman was not a prohibitionist. Mr. Luke was. Mr. Herdman was in favour of compulsory military training. He did not know that Mr. Luke was in favour of it; at any rate, he was not in favour of boxing matches at the Town Hall. Mr. Herdman vras a tolerant man. Mr. Luke had shown his intolerance on the subject of Sunday, golf, Sunday tennis at Day's Bay, and so on. He thought it was right that .Mr. Massey should explain how it came about that Mr. Luke was nominated by the National Government for the seat. As to Mr: Skerrett, who was suggested as a candidate for the seat, Mr. Whyte thought Mr. Massey failed most miserably in not grasping an opportunity that would have been lauded from Auckland to Bluff, of selecting a man in whom the public of New Zealand would havel every confidence. (Applause.) Mr. Brandon, who met with a hearty reception, spoke on the lines of his previous speeches. Speaking personally, he assured the meeting that he came before them not as the nominee of any party whatever. He came before them as one of them at the request of a large number of them, who were not tied together by any particular party object except the general principle of the Reform Party. The people, in finding the electorate to be in a somewhat difficult position, and realising the necessity of finding someone who was identified with the district to be put forward as the opponent of two or three gentlemen who were standing, asked him to allow himself to'be nominated, and he consented. He expressed the opinion that in a single-handed contest he would poll more- votes than Mr. Holland or Mr. Luke or Mr. Poison. He wanted' them to give their votes not to "support the Party," but to "support party principles." He stood for principles, and Mr. Massey would have no stronger supporter than himself if he (Mr. Massey) maintained the principles of the Reform' League. (Applause.)