THE COMING ELECTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14787, 16 September 1911, Page 8

THE COMING ELECTIONS

WAITEMATA SEAT.

MR. E. W. ALISON SAYS "NO."

PRESSING REQUEST DECLINED.

A MEETura of supporters of the Opposition party representing all parts of the Waitemata electorate was held at the Devonport Borough Council Chambers last evening for the purpose of meeting Mr. E. W. Alison, sen., a former repTe* sentativo of the district, and receiving his answer to the request to contest the seat in the Opposition interest at the coming general elections. Mr. C. P. Murdoch presided over a large and enthusiastic at tendance. The Opposition organiser (Mr. It. R. Martin) was present.

Mr. W. E. Johns, the convener of the meeting, referred to the good services rendered in the past to the Opposition party by Mr. Alison, who he said had been compelled to retire three years ago owing to ill-health. He was certain that if Mr. Alison consented to again come forward ho would bo returned by a large majority. (Applause.) He moved, " That this meeting of representative supporters of the Opposition party from all parts of the Waitemata electorate respectfully request E. W. Alison, sen., to

consent to nomination at our hands as the candidate in the Opposition interests for Waitemata; and that we pledge our active support towards placing him at the head of the poll."

Mr. motion.

F. E. Jackson seconded the

The Chairman said they wanted strong Opposition candidates in all electorates, and Mr. Alison was the strongest they could possibly get for Waitemata. (Applause.)

Mr. Martin delivered a message from the Leader of the Opposition to Mi, Alison. " Tell Mr. Alison, said Mr. Massey, that we have indisputable proof that the large body of Waitemata electors are desirous of seeing him again in Parliament, and that we desire him to put aside any personal or private reasons that he may have for not being inclined to be a candidate. It is not only the people of Waitemata who want him, but we want him in Wellington, and the people of New Zealand want him." (Applause.) Continuing, Mr. Martin said that he hoped that Mr. Alison . would be able to say, " I see that my services are wanted, and it is my duty to respond to the call of the party." *

Mr. M. Parrish (Northcpte) assured Mr. Alison of the continued support of all his old supporters in the . Northcote district.

Tho motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Alison, who was received with loud i applause, thanked them all for their very enthusiastic reception, and especially thanked the chairman and other speakers for their very complimentary reference to his past services. He had never before occupied such a difficult position. He enjoyed the confidence, he was proud to say, of the Leader and the whole of the members of the Opposition, and he saw before him that night a large number of old supporters who in the past had fought a good fight on his behalf and •on that of the Opposition cause in Waitemata. He had been besieged day after day by electors from all parts of the electorate, and had also received hundreds of letters pressing him to consent to nomination. In addition, he had been pressed by the meeting that night as hard as any man could be pressed to give an affirmative answer. " Now," he continued, " I am going to tell you that I am very sorry,indeed that I cannot accede to your request.* (Voices: No ; don't say that.) I have, during the past week particularly, gone into the question in all its phases. Whilst there are weighty reasons why I should stand, there are other and weightier reasons which, I regret to trli you, compel me tonight to give you a negative answer. I have said ' No' in my life under many trying circumstances, but I have never before said it under such trying circumstances as I have to say it this evening. I thank you very much for your kindly references to myself, and I can only say once more that I am deeply sorry that I cannot give you an affirmative answer,"

The Chairman said he had come to the meeting feeling confident that the request would be granted, and he was bitterly disappointed at Mr. Alison's answer. However, they would now have to get the best possible candidate out and unite in securing his return. (Hear, hear.) .

Mr. Johns asked Mr. Alison whether there was any chance of his decision being reconsidered.

Mr. Alison : No, no. Mr. T. Cranch moved that, a committee be at once formed for the purpose of selecting a candidate. Mr. 'F. E. Jackson seconded Mr. Cranch's motion, which was carried unanimously. A committee, consisting of 57 members, was then appointed to take the necessary steps in regard to the selection of a candidate. An executive committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. E. W. Alison (chairman), C. P. Murdoch, Grimwade, Williamson, Reynolds, J. Mays, M. Parrish, T. Taylor, Seagar, F. L. Gribbin, and T. Cranch (secretary). The selection of the candidate will be made at a meeting of supporters from all parts of the district to be held at Devonport on September 25. : - MR. NAPIER'S CAMPAIGN. A crowded meeting of Mr. W. J, Napier's lady supporters was held in Lane's tea rooms, Devonport, yesterday afternoon, to form ladies' committees. Mr. and Mrs. Napier addressed the meeting, and 15 sub-committees were formed.

There was a very largely-attended meeting of Mr. Napier's supporters at Devonport last night. Mr. Napier, who has just returned from Wellington, delivered an address on the Budget. The meeting proceeded to make working arrangements for all the divisions of the electorate, and the reports of sub-committees were received and considered. Mr. Napier will proceed on Monday to tour and speak in the remoter portions of the electorate. THE SELWYN SEAT. . [BY telegraph.—special CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. Mr. W. J. Dickie, of Lyndhurst, has definitely announced his intention of contesting the Selwyn seat in the Government interest against the sitting member, Mr. C. A. C. Hardy. Mr. Dickie is chairman of the Mount Hutt Road Board. He entered the lists against 'Mr. Hardy at the last election, but he withdrew from the contest before polling day, on the ground of ill-health. A CANDIDATE RETIRES. [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Friday. Mr. James Boddie, for business and family reasons, has decided to retire from the contest for the Taumarunui seat. His place will be taken by a well-known settler, Mr. R. K. Wilson, of Paemako.