THE WAIRAU SEAT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 189, 11 August 1908, Page 5

THE WAIRAU SEAT.

tflk McARTNEY'S CANDIfrATimE

: ; ... Jfcj-meeting: o<fF f rignda. and,,supports was held in the Good Templars' Hall last evening. There were; some fifty people present, a large number being ladies. Mr R. Register, who was voted to the chair, briefly introduced Mr McArtney, who began by apologising Tor the absence of Messrs Macey and Hould3w»rth, who were prevented from coming to the meeting that night. The speaker then went, on to say how often he had appeared on the public platform speaking and working for others, and urg<ing on the support of the Government candidate. The time had now come when he was before them to speak, for himself and ask their help and support in the coming election. He had dabbled in politics when he was very young, and he spoke reminiscently of the old days and the old campaigns in the Wairau electorate, and the part he had played therein. He was a staunch supporter of the ! Liberal party and the Liberal Government. His long years of public I service carried their own reward, and h^ knew that he carried the confidence of the electors of Wairau. Local politics had very little to do with general politics, and although the electors knew him in the former connection, they would Avant to know what his qualifications were for the position he now sought. Well, he was not going to give them a political speech that night. ."He simply had called them together to organise- a committee. It was beyond the scope of oue man to fight an election by himself There were a thousand arid one things to look after and attend to, and unless there was a central office and committee it was impossible to go on. Another reason why he had called them together thus early was because of the rumour which had been spread about that he was not going to contest the election; that he was only keeping the seat warm for someone.else.... He would give this I si..- most r . uriqualified denial; -He :. was LiQt : \tiW^" v's^rt.-iotiißaaii,:;&nd.. if he-had: \ meant! to keep the seat warm for any, I man he would; hare |;old theift so; (Applause.) For -Mis reason he thought it was time to get to work. iHe had intended waiting until the [warmer weather, for he did not like I calling people out these cold nights. jHe had announced himself as a LibI eral supporter of the present Govern;ment, and the electors could note that j none of the other candidates had de- ! clared themselves straight out on any ; side. In his opinion a candidate j should say straight out whether he j supported the party in power or not, and. stand or fall by that announcement. He had heard it said that Mr I Duncan had asserted that he (Mr Duncan) had not come round to the Government, but that, the Government lad come round to him. He did not believe that this was. so, for he thought that the Liberal electors of Wai.irau still had every' confidence in thei present Government. -What was wanted by the Liberals of Wairau to return their candidate was to or- ! ganise! organise ! organise! He was j content to leave his case in the hands of the electors.. He would fight this election straightforwardly and honestly, but he could assure them that he would not bow or scrape or cringe for votes to anyone. (Applause.) He had friends all over the district, and every day was receiving good reports and promises of support. Every man or woman was entitled to his or her opinion, and he blamed no one for voting according to conviction. He could assure them that there would be no breach of friendship with him and with those who voted or worked against hini. It was time now to get to work and see that every available namef-was placed upon the roll. It did-not matter if the vote was a possible one for them or not. If an opponent the first thing would be to get.the name on the roll, and there was always the opportunity of bringing an adverse vote round' to their, way of thinking. He was not going to--talk politics, but he wanted,them to help hini by forming a strong committee, which would leave, no stone unturned. Although he ieli confident m the result, yet he would remind them that they had a big fight before them. He was glad to tell them that he had Mr Mills' support and co-operation in the coining contest, and if- ho vere returned their | late Member had promised to give him all the advice and assistance he could whilst in Wellington. (Applause.) I A large number .of ladies and gentlemen handed in . their names as members of the Committee, and the arrangements of meeting-place, etc , were left over in the meantime. Votes pf thanks to the Chairman

and to Mr McArtney for his address were carried by acclamation, and the meeting dispersed.