THE GREY SEAT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8457, 17 June 1913, Page 7

THE GREY SEAT

CAMPAIGN OPENED LIBERAL CANDIDATE MAKES STRONG BEGINNING. LABOUR IN THE FIELD. Special to the “Times.” GREYMOUTH, June 16. The election campaign for the Grey vacancy is now fairly launched, to-day having witnessed the entry of Mr P. C Webb (Socialist) into the field. The Labour party have invoked the services of Professor Mills as organiser, and he will arrive here on Thursday. Meanwhile Mr Semplo and his frieno* are actively asserting themselves on behalf of their nominee. The Liberals are in nowise inactive, and to-night an overflow meeting appointed a strong executive, wnm a largo number of sub-committees, to work in favour of Mr Hannan, concerning whose candidature gratify, ing reports continue to come from a*U sides.

The Mayor of Greymouth (Mr G. E. Perkins) presided, and in expressing Iris appreciation at the largo attendance said that Mr Hannan tq him appeared to Ido the only possible man to represent the electorate of which ho was a resident and to which he had rendered suen valuable services in his public capacity. As a solicitor he had shown that he possessed great ability, which marked him as a man amongst men. The high esteem and regard in which he was held throughout the electorate was proved by the spontaneous manner in which the people had come forward to assist his candidature. He (the Mayor) strongly resented the attempt which was being made by the Reform party to foist an outsider on them as their representative in Parliament. This he took us u slight on their intelligence. Personally, lie thought that in Mr Hannan they had a man who was pre-eminently fitted to represent them in Parliament. (Cheers ' Mr Hannan, who was greeted with cheers, first of all expressed his sincere regret at the occurrence which necessitated the election. * Although on a previous occasion he had opposed Sir Arthur Guinness they had remained friends, and he expressed his personal sorrow at his sudden demise. Regarding the vacant seat, he had decided to contest it at the request of a very large number of electors who had come forward quite spontaneously to help his candidature. Ho would take an early opportunity of placing his views before them, but in the meantime he might state that lie had the’ unique experience of being requested to contest the seat in the Reform interest. When h© declined, a suggestion was made that he should come forward as an Independent. He also rejected this proposal, as he believed that in politics a man should be on one siaV or the other. He chose to go on the Liberal side, despite all suggestions to the contrary, but he at the same time • would support all legislation which he considered to be in the best interests of the mass of the people. He thanked them lor their attendance, and urged all to work so that the Liberal cause might be triumphant. Mr R. G. Forsyth, an old and respected resident of forty r six years’ standing, heartily endorsed what the Mayor had said about Mr Hannan, whoso exceptional ability should make ■him an excellent representative. Ho moved:—“That this largo and representative gathering of electors of Greymouth, being firmly convinced of Mr Hannan’s ability and cordially in agreement with his political doctrines, resolves itself into a general committee to further the interests of his candidature and pledges itself, both in djvidually and collectively, to work for bis return, and extends to him its heartiest good wishes for bis success at the poll.” (Loud applause.) Mr H, J. Bignell (chairman of the Grey Education Board) seconded the proposal, which was carried amidst cheers.

A general committee of the whole was than set up with the executive to direct affairs.

A strong Liberal committee was also formed at Beefton to-night. A requisition has been sent to Mr JEL L. Michel, of Hokitika, to contest the seat in the Beform interest, but he is holding back. At a small mooting of Conservatives to-night it was decided to send to Hokitika to-morrow a deputation consisting of Messrs W. Morris (who, it is understood, is to be called to the Upper House), E. Holmes (Cobden), and Leitch (Blackball) to ask for a final reply. Great pressure is being brought to bear on Mr Michel to stand, as Beform wants a candidate at any price. The mystic letters "M.L.C.” have, it is said, been dangled dazzlingly before certain peo-