EDEN BY-ELECTION

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 March 1926, Page 5

EDEN BY-ELECTION

NO DATE VET FIXED.

MISS MELVILLE ’ S POSITION.

CONFERENCE WITH MR COATES.

(By Telegraph.—Special to Tlie Star.)

WELLINGTON, March 10. No date has yet been fixed for the Eden by-election. This cannot be done, until Sir James Parr resigns his seat, which may happen in the course of a few days.

Miss Melville was in Wellington yesterday interviewing the Prime Minister, and there is as yet no indication whether she will withdraw from the contest or persist in going to the poll as an independent. The consequences of a triangular contest are realised in Reform circles. At the general election Miss Melville had the official Reform backing, but if she adheres to her present attitude and goes to the poll against Sir James Gunson, her future chances of being adopted as an official Reform candidate will be nil. It. is understood that this position was made clear to her by Mi'. Coates Efforts to avoid a threecornered fight are being made, and some local Reformers profess the belief that Miss Melville will lie induced to. retire.

OFFICIAL REFORM CANDIDATE. PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, March 10. Regarding the Eden by-election, the following statement was made to-night-by the Prime Minister, the Hon, J. G. Coate-s: “In conformity' with the selection made by the conference of delegates from the several branches of the Reform League in the Eden electorate, held at Mount Albert on March 1, I have pleasure in endorsing Sir James Gunson’s nomination as the Government candidate at the approaching by-election. .“In making this- announcement I appeal with confidence to all supporters of the Government in the electorate to sink sectional differences and unite with their full strength to ensure the retention of the seat by the party, which has held it for so many years. I feel sure, that with unity ih our ranks, the Government candidate. Sij- James Gunson, will be returned with a substantial majority.”