VOICES THAT BREATHE O’ER EDEN

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3287, 5 March 1926, Page 7

VOICES THAT BREATHE O’ER EDEN

Reform Candidates Protest at Treatment

UNDER LOCK AND KEY GUNSON GOES FREE

[Per Proas Association.] AUCKLAND, Last Night,

TJic seven unsuccessful nominees for selection as Reform candidate for Eden express themselves as exceedingly dissatisfied over the methods followed at. the selection meeting.

They state they were kept under lock and key in a room, and were only allowed out In turn to address the meeting. What particularly annoys them Is the fact that Sir James Gunson, the successful candidate, did not have similar restrictions Imposed upon him.

Telegram to premier.

The following telegram has bemi dispatched to the Prime Minister: ‘‘We the undersigned candidates, who submitted our names for ballot in connection with the i selection of candidates in the Reform interest in the above by-election, desire fjb reaffirm the protest already entered by us.

“Tho ballot -was taken by delegates at Mount Albert on March 1. "There were serious irregularities in connection with the proceedings, and we theerfore decline to hold ourselves bound by our pledges. “While there wore a number of irregularities, our chief criticism is that we were all kept strictly under look and key, as prisoners, and conducted by one, under strict control, to the audience chamber, and were not aU lowed to hear each other’s speeches. “Sir James Gunson was given preferential treatment* in that he was allowed his liberty, and was In a position to hear the speeches Of other candidates. The organiser wafe in private communication with Sir Jatnea Gunson throughout the evening. “We ask the Reforffi Party to stand to the pledges given to US On its behalf, that we would be given fair play If wS put ourselves in the hands of our party." The telegram was sighed: Ellen Melville, A. Oldfield, W. J. Talt, T. ,T. Fleming, U E. Rhodes, B. BUnn, David B. Russell.

LATER. Miss Ellen Melville has definitely announced hefself as IndepenC candidate for Eden.

NO NATIONALIST CANDIDATE.

The National Party has decided not to put forward a candidate. The position was fully discussed by the executive of the Auckland branch of the party, in consultation with headquarters, and the decision was reached at a meeting on Wednesday, Mr J, TrcVethick presiding, j Nominations for the Labour Party’s ballot for the choice of a candidate closed at the office of the Auckland Labour Representation Committee on Wednesday evening. No particulars have been made public. The ballot will probably take place next week, as the Labour Party is anxious to lose no time in launching its campaign.