THE WESTLAND ELECTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1911, Page 2

THE WESTLAND ELECTION

MR. SEDDON IN THE SOUTH. (By Arrungeffiefiti) Ml". Seddbft lift veiling ill S oil til Westland oh Saturday put in a long and busy day He drove from Hari Hari to Okarito, which he reached early in the afternoon. At three o’clock he addressed a meeting in the schoolroom, Mr. T. Mcßride being in the /chair. All the residents were present and it was a very good meet* ing. Mr. Seddon’s address was attentively following and at its ftlbs'e a vote of thanks and confidence \Vas carried With eftthusiaslft oii the motion of Mr-. M. Leitch seconded by Mr. R. Dickens. Mr. Seddon then had to retrace his /steps to Wataroa, which he reached in the evening and where he addressed the biggest meeting Wataroa has yet seen at 8 o’clock. The room waß full, many of the people being Crowded round the candidate. Ml?, Hilrty Buvrough occupied the chair Mid his task was a sinecure. It Was a splendid meeting, Mr. Seddon’s address of Upwards of two hours being excellently received. After, the candidate answering questions, a vote of thanks and confidence was moved by Mr. F. Gunn and seconded by Mr F. Heveldt and carried in the heartiest manner.

Mr. Seddon left Wataroa yesterday travelling vit the Waitahi Settlement and reaching Ross last night. To-day he came north by train and is visiting the Marsden district this afternoon, speaking at‘ different points and Winding up with an address to the Kaiata residents at the Omoto racecourse at 8.30 o’clock to-night.

MR SEDDON’S CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING,

(By Arrangement.)

The final meeting of Mr. T. E .Y. Seddon’s Central Committee was held at the Hospital Board room, Hokitika,. on Saturday night. There was a crowded attendance, the room and the passages being packed. Mr. M. Pollock presided and the proceedings were very enthusiastic.

The Chairman said their labors were drawing to a close. They had the satisfaction of knowing that Mr. Seddon stood well throughout the district. Since he had commenced his campaign Mr. Seddon had been steadily gaining converts, and when the numbers went up on Thursday next, Mr. Seddon’s friends would have every reason to be satisfied with the result. (Applause). Everywhere the committees had worked well and given Mr. Seddon loyal assistance. Their member in the past had always done well. He assisted friends and foe alike, and never made a promise but what he (Mr. Seddon) had done his best to keep. As a matter of fact Mr. Seddon had done more for the district than any member before him, and in this connection the chairman recalled the names of the previous members, viz., Tribe, Barff, Gisborne, Reid, George, Bevan, Grimmond and R. J. Seddon, who had all enjoyed the confidence of the people. Mr. Tom Seddon had done so well as a private member that he (Mr. Pollock) did not know what they could • expect when Mr. Seddon became a Minister. He was satisfied that Mr. Seddon would attain one of the highest positions in Parliament. (Loud applause). Mr. Pollock conveyed the thanks of Mr. Seddon to all who had assisted the committee and was sure that as a reward fpr their splendid work they would be all pleased and gratified with Thursday’s result. (Prolonged applause) In reply to calls, Mr. J. A. Murdoch, Mayor of Kumara, said he had much pleasure in being present that night. The meeting was in strong contrast to Mr. Michel’s meeting which he had presided over at Kumara last Monday. Then the meeting was cold and frigid, while Mr. Michel’s Dillmans meeting was one of the poorest ever held there. The present meeting was very hearty and he could give them good news from the north, where Mr. Seddon prospects never looked better. They had good committees and all were working hard and Kumara would give a very fair majority and much better than last time. (Applause). The Central Committee had done good work, and for the remaining few days it was the duty of Mr. Seddon’s supporters to secure the waverers. The people of Westland had to see that the Seddon flag was not trampled on. There were those of their opponents who were even frightened of Mr. Seddon’s photo and could not sit under it —it had to be covered up. In Mr. Tom Seddon they had a most capable candidate and in the years to come when the member occupied a high position in the politics of this country, those who wete supporting him now, would look back with pride to 1911 when Mr. Seddon fought and won the biggest battle of his career. (Loud applause). Messrs Morris (Waiuta), R. O’Brien (Rimu), L. McLachlan (Woodstock) each gave satisfactory reports from their districts. Mr. J. Mandl said that from his knowledge of the country districts Mr. Seddon would secure an increased poll and he had not the slightest fear of the result. He admired the Seddon spirit which their member displayed and looked forward with confidence to Mr. Seddon’s re-election. (Applause). The Chairman expressed the thanks of the Central Committee to the hon. secretary (Mr. Evans), and the chairmen, secretaries, committees and correspondents of the country districts, a vote of appreciation being carried by acclamation.

Mrs. Morice, of Greymouth, who was received with applause, said she desired, as a representative of the Seddon family, to thank them one and all most gratefully for the good work done for her brother. She hoped and felt that their efforts would be greatly rewax-ded on polling day. (Applause). Mr. Evans, hon. secretary, said the time had now arrived for the committee to dissolve. He endorsed what the Chairman had said as to the prospects at the poll and had no doubt whatever as to the successful coxxclu-. sion of their labors. He acknowledged the ready co-operation rendered by the country committees in all matters referred to them and specially thanking Miss Carby for her aluable assistance in the secretarial work. Mr. Wallace asked for the inclusion of Miss Evans’ name in this connection, and the vote was carried by acclamation.

The committee then dissolved by resolution and cheers for Mi 1 . Seddon, Mrs. Morice, the Chairman and the Guardian closed the very enthusiastic proceedings.