GENERAL ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20499, 29 August 1928, Page 8

GENERAL ELECTION.

REFORM CANDIDATE FOR

ROSKILL,

MISS MELVILLE SECUKES NOMINATION.

(Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 28. The Prime Minister announced this evening that he had been advised that an agreement had been arrived at in respect of the three candidates standing in the Reform interests for the Roskill seat at the forthcoming election, and that Miss Ellen Melville had been selected as the official candidate. The agreement is embodied in the following terms: — “ We, the undersigned, being candidates in the Reform interests for the Roskill electorate, realising that the winning of the seat in Parliament for the Reform Party is of the first importance, have agreed to submit our respective claims to the party's official nomination to arbitration, and with a view to preventing votesplitting at the elections, and strengthening the chances of a Reform victory, we pledge ourselves to give loyal support to Miss Ellen Melville, who has been chosen to contest the electorate; and to use our best endeavours, with our respective supporters. to secure the return to Parliament of the official Reform candidate, and wo request the Prime Minister to confirm the foregoing nomination.” — (Signed) R. M‘K. Morrison, Ellen Melville, E. H. Potter.

” The fact,” added Mr Coates. “ that the three candidates have come together and succeeded in finding a solution of their differences is a real source of satis, faction and forms a striking example of their desire for unity in the ranks of the Reform Party in the Roskill electorate. The agreement now arrived at will prevent vote-splitting and consequently will enhance the official candidate’s chances of success at the general election. I heartily congratulate Miss Melville upon her selection, and with the loyal assistance and co-operation of the other candidates and their supporters, I feel sure that we con look forward with confidence to the result.”

IMPORTANCE OF UNITY

THE DANGER OF VOTE-SPLITTING,

(Special to Daily Times.)

AUCKLAND, August 28. Commenting on the selection of Miss Melville, the New Zealand Herald says, in an editorial: —“A happy augury for the continued success of the Reform Party is the amicable way iu which agreement is being reached concerning the candidates to be nominated for the general election. The experience in and near Aucldand proves that this agreement is possible. First in a suburbs electorate, then in Hauraki, and now in Roskil) there lias been found unanimity as to who is to be entrusted with the party banner. It would be well if elsewhere an equal readiness were shown to subject personal and rigidly local aspirations to the good of the party as a whole. It should be obvious that the winning of seats is an end that ought to be kept in view by all aspirants to the party’s support. In what is likely to be the case in most electorates —a three-cornered contest among candidates representing the prevailing parties—it would bo suicidal to have two Reform candidates making appeals for votes. Unity at this stage of the contest is therefore all-important."’ THE KAIAPOI SEAT. (Pek United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 28. .Mr J. W. lie anl a ml, a member of the Christchurch C ty Council, has consented to nomination as Reform candidate for Kaiapoi.