A REFORM RALLY

Grey River Argus, 28 July 1925, Page 5

A REFORM RALLY

EARNSHAW’S BUNKUM.

TO TOOL THE CREDULOUS.

WELLINGTON, July 27

There was a Reform rally at New town to-night. The chairman, Mr Salmon, said the purpose of the meeting was -.“to organise locally to fight Communism and all other isms going with it. ”

The Hon. Mr McLeod (Minister of Lands), Hon. Earnshaw (M.L.C.), and Mr V. Potter (Auckland) attended.

Mr McLeod said he was not there to choose a candidate or even to make a suggestion in that direction. “Our Party,” he said”, does not force candidates upon electorates. The finding of a suitable candidate is your job not ours, and, subject to a certain pledge,..which cur rules demand, a man or woman who will satisfy the electors will satisfy our Party.” There was, u ■ was satisfied, a sufficiency of suppo t In the electorate to justify running a candidate. “The Party is behind you" he said, “and will leave no stone unturned to secure the return of yo-r choice. ’’

Mr Earnshaw said he believed Mr Contes was the right man fur the job. It was easy to return for that district a loyal man, one who would uphold the traditions of the Party. The present Government carried mere leg’Slation during 13 years in office than had ever been carried before. The Prime Minister was determined to follow a policy of safety for workers in the Railways. They’ had, among other things, found 12,000,000 for husing. He spo I' cf the Government’s achievements. They were that night speaking in a Labour electorate, but he declared that at last election its intelligence had not given a full quota to the vote. He spoke of Imperial affairs, and said they should place Great Britain first, and New Zealand second. If the Labour Party even went back in power. “Heaven help New Zealand,” for in the Socialist prayer books the veryname of God was omitted, and to him this w / denouncing tiie Creator. Mr E. A. James (Secretary- of the Reform League) and Mr J- J- Cla-.-k (Chairman of the General Executive) also spoke. The latter said the party hoped to retain AVellington North. They hoped to capture AVellington Central, while they almost were sure they could win AVellington East. A vote of confidence in the Reform Party, under Mr Coates, was carrred.

TORIES OUT EARLY. FOR CANTERBURY SEAT. CHRISTCHURCH, July 27. Mr E. IT. Andrews and Mr J. A. Flesher will both be candidates for the Reform Party nomination for the Christchurch North Seat. OPPONENT FOR MB McCOMBS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 27.

Mr C. IT. Agar, a resident of Lyttelton for 40 years announces that he will conte. t the Lyttelton electorate in the Reform Party interest at the general election.