EDEN ELECTION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 10267, 14 April 1926, Page 5

EDEN ELECTION

SPEECH BY PREMIER.

REPLY. TO LABOR ALLEGATIONS

REFORM SELECTION QUITE IN ORDER.

• AUCKLAND, April 13. In a speech to a crowded audience at Kingsland to-night, Mr. Coates replied to a number of allegations made by Mr. Holland in Auckland recently and defined his attitfide to the Eden by-eleetion controversy. The meeb : ng was noisy at times, but the Reform supporters largely predominated and Mr. Coates, met with a hearty reception throughout. The Premier explained that he had entered the contest solely because Mr Holland had done so, and he intended to reply to the latter. He denied that the Government was out to help the wealthy. It recognised its responsibility to all classes, even if it cost •money to assist those in need of help. It was untrue that the Government was contemplating drastic retrenchment in consequence of the country’s financial position. Ali it expected to do was to exercise economy and husband the country through the expected difficult period." Regarding the charge that'lie had broken his promise that no railway workshop employees would bo dismissed under the re-organisation scheme, Mr. Coates said he had endeavored to reduce tlie staffs by transfers, but it had been necessary to dispense with the services of some of the short term' “casuals,” a number of whom liad declined transfer. The secretary of the Tradesmen’s Association," Mr. Ingram, had stated no blame was attachable to the Minister in this matter.

Dealing with tine position in Eden, Mr. Coates declared nothing had happened since the general election to justify a want of confidence in the Government. He had investigated, the complaints about the selection of a candidate, and had interviewed* one candidate personally. After taking time to consider, he found the selection quite in order and saw no reason to interfere. He had asked no one to withdraw, but he asked all true men and women to get behind the candidate selected by the delegates. Miss Melville, he declared, if she had been selected would have been accepted by the party without hesitation. Labor was very keen to see Miss Melville poll well because it wanted to be the official Opposition. He had every respect for Miss Melville, but the duty of Government supporters was to support the official candidate. Mr. Coates received a vote of thanks and confidence by acclamation and with loud cheering. The Premier leaves for Wellington to-morrow night.—P.A.