THE GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16239, 24 November 1914, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTION

WESTAND. MR MURDOCH RETIRES. (Peb United Peess Association.) GREYMOUTH, November 25 Mr J. A. Murdoch has withdrawn from the Westland contest. In a letter to the press he says: " After full and careful consideration I have definitely decided not to contest the Westland seat. I find that riy former active association with and support of the old Liberal party are being used in an unfair manner to prejudice toy candidature. In the Hokitika Guardian I an accused of having been a ' lip-loyal' supporter of the Liberals, when no one knows better than the writer that such a statement, is unfair and untrue. He knows full well that in the past my work was given without either promise or expectation, either pecuniary or otherwise. Can the Hokitika Guardian atate the same? I regret that I have not given this decision earlier, but in the present position of international affairs nothing could be more distasteful to me thaji a bitterly-contested election. My wish was, owing to the present disturbed state of things, to contest the election without the introduction of personalities and mud-slinging. But the attitude of the Guardian shows that it and its party have no scruples; therefore I decline to enter tho lists. " I have now had 12 years' continuous office in public positions in Westland, j;rid instead of attempting to increase such work I intend to reduce it materially—at least, for a time. To this end my resignation of tho several offices now held by me will be published in due course." HOKITIKA, November 23. A most unusual portion has arisen as a result of the retires::nt of Mr Murdoch. This declaration has placed the Reform Party in a difficult position, for the reason that it relied on him entering tho field as its representative. Now there is only a little more than a fortnight until the poll is taken, and another candidate is plaoed at a disadvantage. In spito of Mr Murdoch's withdrawal arrangements are being made for the seat to be oontcsted in the Reform interests, but tho principal objection eo far as eligible candidates are concerned is that the time to prepare for the contest is too brief for thorn successfully to oovar tho extensive d~ctorate. (Fbom Ottb Own Cobrkspondsht.) GREYMOUTH, November 23. Consequent on Mr Murdoch's withdrawal tho poeitiori in regard to Vv rstland is somewhat uncertain, but it is nrobable that representations will be made to Mr Jeffries to stand in the Reform Party's interests. That gentleman put up a splendid fight for Tetnuka, a fow yeans ago, and has boon prominently identified _ with the movement ever since his arrival in Hotcitika. TIMARU. (Peb United Press Association.) TIMARU, November 23. About 106 Labour and Literal supporters of the Ward Party met. to-night to consider tho situation in the Timaru electorate. A d-eputation of four was apfK>inted to wait on Mr Craigie to ascertain definitely his position, nnd, failing a satisfactory reply, t-o dsaw tip a list of suitable men who might b« aslusd to stand. Sir John Findlay's name ! VM jajntiraert.

DIJNEWN WEST. Mr J. T. Johnwon addressed a very largo and appreciative aurlienw in the Wak&ri Drill Hall l,i«t night. Mr U. S. M<<nzi<w presided, and introduood the candidate in wry complimentary terms. Mr Johnson's uddrcts wa-i of 1£ hours' duration, ;tn<l his remarks brought forth frequent bureta of applause,. Several quifitionfl were answered, and at the conclusion the following motion waa (vu-riod unanimously, amid much a|>plauso:--" That ihiß meeting of 1 h media Wrest electors reword a hearty v-ote of thankfi and confidence in Mr Johnson, and wo consider that ho is a fit and proper person to represent us in Parliament." The motion was propound by Mr Jas. Torrance and seconded bv Mr Joe. Ollivor (vice-president of the Pastrycooks' Union). A meeting of Mr W. E. J. Maguiro's committees was held last night nt Sweetinffs, Stuart street, Mr Wni. Dodils presided, and there was a good attend.'inoe of ladies and (Canvassers were appointed to interview the Heritors in all the different parte of the electorate,. Mr Maguire, in the course, of a few remarks, said tho so-called Laljour Party had been disssolved in tho prohibition melting pot. Uncompromising Socialists had become staunch Literals, find anti-militarists became ardent Imperialists. Excuses were, offered for the Liberal-Labour Alliance, and Labour was again to bo hoodwinked into entrenching a Liberal Party, which would bo harder to shift, than tho Massey Party. A straight-out Labour candidate would bo a thorn in the side of any party in power that did not march in quirk time when Labour legislation was. introduced. MEETINGS TO-DAT. Rooms, George street.—Mr A. Walker. Oddfellows' Hall, Kew, Caversham.—Mr T. H. Dalton. Tairrui Methodist Church. —Mr G. S. Thomson. Wakari School. —Mr W. Downio Stewart. Public Hall, Portobello. —Mr J. M. Dickson. Concord Church Hall.—Mr J. W. Munro. Wingatui and Fairfield.—Mr W. I). Mason. Public Hall, Greeii Island.—Mr C. E. Statham. Town Hall, Waikouaiti.—Hon. J. Allen. Dunback. —Mr J. A. Maopherson. Waikoikoi and Ediovale.—Air W. A. Bodkin. Island Block, Ettrick and Roxburgh.—Mr R. Scott.