EDEN BY-ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19748, 26 March 1926, Page 9

EDEN BY-ELECTION.

EEFOEM PARTY ACTIVE. MISS MELVILE’S LIVELY MEETING. (Fhom Oca n »s (.’oaasspovDENT.i , AUCKLAND, March 24. Great interest centres in the Eden byelection, in which the official Reform candidate, Sir James Gunson, opened Ms 'campaign to-night. The Reform P arty is leaving no stone unturned in its determination to retain the seat in spite of the fact that Miss Ellen Melville, one of the disappointed aspirants for the party’s favour, is also going to the poll. The chairmen who presided at the district meetings of electors to appoint delegates to the conference which ultimately chose Sir James Gunson have all made sworn statements to the effect that the proceedings were regular and conducted in a proper and impartial manner. The Reform Party published these statements, together with a resume of the situation in to-day’s Herald to the extent of three columns and a-half. Miss Melville had a lively meeting last night at Mount Albert, when she expounded her grievances for the second time. The audience got rather out of hand in the later stages of the meeting, and there was much good-humoured noise and chaff before it closed. Miss Melville’s address was similar to that delivered by her at Avondale. Some of her, remarks were challenged by people in the audience, especially when she referred to the conduct of meetings held to make a preliminary selection. She reiterated that “plumping” had been unfairly prohibited and had materially affected the p rsonnel of the delegation. In response to the cries of “Where?” Miss Melville said that “plumping” had been prohibited at the Mount Albert meeting. A man in the audience then rose and declared that the question whether “plumping” should be allowed had been put to the meeting. Miss Melville: That has nothing to do with it. It was the organiser, not the chairman who directed it. Referring to the deputation of women which had asked her to withdraw. Mis* Melville said that its members were tools in the hands of a person who was trying to influence her. The Labour candidate, Mr H. G. Mason, has started organising, and will Lave the Auckland Labour members of Parliament as chairmen at all his meetings. ISSUE OF THE WRIT. - (Peb United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, March 25. Consequent on the official gazetting last night of the vacancy in the Eden electorate, the Clerk of Writs has received the Gover-nor-General’s direction to proceed with the issue of the writ for the by-eiection. It is understood that the writ will issue within the next day or two.