POLITICAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2673, 7 June 1905, Page 54

POLITICAL NEWS.

Mr F. Pirani, ex-M.H.R., has definitely announced his candidature for the Palmerston seat at the general election. At a meeting of the Napier branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation on Thursday Mr W. J. M'Grath was selected as the Liberal candidate for the Napier seat at the forthcoming election. < At the meeting of the Ohrisfcehurcb branch of the Politico! Labour League on Thursday replies were received from Messrs Davey and Tanner. M.H.R.'s, to the request that they should subscribe to the league's pledge. Included in the pledge is a demand that members of the league shall vote for the candidate selected, and an understanding that any member elected on the nomination of the league shall not, under any circumstances, take office in the Ministry. Both members replied refusing to subscribe to the pledge. Mr Ell, M.H.R., had alao taken a similar stand.

Mr D. Sykes, of Spreydon, will probably contest the Courtenay geat in the Government interest.

Mr R. B. Macdonald is mentioned as the Srobable Opposition candidate for Geraline.

Mr Fred Pirani has announced hfs re* tirement from his intended candidature for the Hutt seat in favour of Mr G. M. Yerex, who will stand in the Opposition and Prohibition interest.

Mr W. S. Maslin informs the Ashburton Guardian that he has definitely decided to contest the Ashburton seat as an Oppositionist and prohibitionist. We have the Premier's authority for stating that Mr A. Marshall will be the Government candidate for the Taieri seat at the forthconfing election. Mr W. Nicolson. of Hainpden, is likely to be the Government candidate for the Waikouaiti seat.

A requisition ia being signed requesting Mi* W. Downie Stewart to become a candidate for ono of the city seats at the general election.

Colorel Sojiierville, well known in connection with the New Zealand Rifle Association meetings announces himself as, a candidate for Rangitikei in the Opposition interest.

Mr W. Jeffries, of Tenraka, announces himself as a candidate at the next election for the Geraldine seat. He is standing as a young New Zealander with strong independent and temperance views.

MR T. MACKENZIE AND THE WAIKOUAITI SEAT.

Taking advantage of the visit last week of the member for Waikouaiti, the editor of the Palmerston and Waikouaiti Times had a short interview with Mr Mackenzie regarding his candidature for that district at the next general election. Asked if the report of his being definitely »ut for that district, a« stated in the Oam&ru Mail, was correct?

Mr Mackenzie replied, quite frankly, that it hacFoertainly been his intention all along to stand for the seat. During his -present visit, however, lie had met a number of his supporters — men who had stood by him throughout — and their desire was that he should change his political attitude somewhat. "As you are aware," continued Mr Mackenzie, "I have followed measures rather than men, and whenever anything was advanced which I considered was fot> the good of the country, no matter from what source it emanated, I was free to support it. I am, oi course, aware that that is not what is understood as party government, and that here we work under party government; neither is it by any means the most pleasant position to occupy,-' nor do I Bay that I am right and others are wrong regarding the question ; and speaking frcan a candidate's point of view, there is that lack of stimulating enthusiasm, behind one which is so .essential in a keenly contested election. Now, although my friends did not unduly press the point, still I realised that they wished their party view 3to be more emphatically represented, and also that they felt assured that by my falling in with their desires in this respecfi it would greatly strengthen my position in the constituency. I have given the matter serious consideration, and nave come to the conclusion that it is my duty to respect their desires, and should I find their views shared by others (which they assure me ig the case), it is my intention not to be a candidate for Waikouaitl at next election. Editor: May I be permitted to ask what you future intentions are?

"Politically I have come to no definite decision. When the session is over I shal), in all probability, visit the Old Country, and afterwards devote my time to business pursuits.'*

A man who was doing well out of the fcale of bogus art union tickets in MeN bourne recently had his career checked ia a rather remarkable manner. He approached a detective with the object o£ disposing of a ticket, but the latter, who was rawer suspicious of tho man's bona fides, requested the seller to accompany him to the detective office while inquiries were being made. The man consented, but on the way to the office he made a.' dash for liberty on his bicycle. The detective, who also had a bicycle, gave chaee, and eventually captured his man, who afterwards admitted that the art uniod was a bogus one.