WELLINGTON EAST

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 116, 12 November 1931, Page 14

WELLINGTON EAST

Mr. W. J. Gaucfan has sent tho/following statement to his supporters:

"In. announcing my candidature for Wellington Bast, I declared in favour of a fusion of Ecform and United, the two parties then under separate leadership, as I considered that the crisis through which the country in common with others was passing demanded that all party difference be put aside aud a united effort made to sblve our problems and put the country again on the road to prosperity. "In due course the parties saw the wisdom of this, and are now going to the country as a Coalition Government.

"With the view of eliminating two of their number and thus giving both parties a fair run, tho thruo Coalition candidates for this electorate met on 31st October, and tho selection of a candidate referred to a committee consisting of tho Eight lion. J. G. Coates, the. lion. E. Masters, and Sir Alexander Eoberts. I was asked to give an undertaking that I and my supporters would assist in returning tho one selected. This I refused to do. Finally each caiiididate signed the following:—'lt is agreed by all parties: (1) To abide by the decision of the umpires. (2) lo support the selected candidate at the polls. (3) Tho selected candidate, if elected, will remain loyal to and support the Coalition Government during its term of office.' The result was that Mr. Forsyth was selected. Having so strongly advocated fusion, I feel I took the best possible course in the interest of the community generally.. Will you please, accept my most, grateful and sincere thanks for the prompt and loyal manner in which you accepted my

invitation to assist on my committee, and also my assurance that I will if acceptable to you take the first opportunity when conditions are more settled of offering myself as a candidate for this electorate."