RETIREMENT OF MR J. LOUDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 52

RETIREMENT OF MR J. LOUDON.

INDISPOSITION OF THE CANDIDATE.

(Fkojc Qtjb Special- Reporter.) MILTON, October 19. The supporters of Mr John Loudon, csia of the oandidat£B for the representation' of Bruce, will learn" with regret that owing to serious indisposition ov&rtakng him yesterday he kafi been compelled to retire from tlie contest. Mr Loudon had not been in gocd health for some time, and was advised by his medical attendant four weeks ago that he should not enter upon such a etrenuous matter as an electioneering contest. Mr Louden thought different, however, hopdng that ho would get all right. Yesterday atternoon at Milton he was taken seriously ill, and when Mrs Loudon arrived from Dunedin by the evening express he finally decided that under the circumstances it was impossible for him to continue- tha 1 contest. Fortunately, Mr Loudtin had sufficiently recovered in tho evening to attend the public meeting v and make an explanation of the position. Mt J. A. Dtuthie, Mayor of Milton, who occupied the chair, said that for weeks past Mr Loudon had been i*n indifferent health. A mccth ago he consulted hie doctor; who advised him. not to crater upon t!he excitement and turmoil of an election campaign. Mr Loudon, however, decided otherwise, and made all preparaticn for the contest, but during the last few days his illness had developed to such an extent that he had considered it wise to retire- from the election. Thi3 was no excuse on Mr Loudon's part to retire from the contest becatico ho feared the result. He (Mr Duthi-a) had himself noticed tho progress of his illnosa in the last few daya* and ho could assure them that Mr Loudon was anything hmt well. Mr Loudon then addressed a few words to tho meeting. He said : " I can assure you that it is a very painful experience for me to have to apologise to you to-night. As the chairman has tcld you, some four weeks ago I consulted my medical adviser, who urged me strongly against contesting: the eeoit. However, I hoped-that everything would go right, and made up my mind to contest tho seat. To me it is a bitter disappointment, and I am sure it is aho a dis-appoimtment to all those ladies and gentlemen who so generously offered to support me in this contest. I shall always feal under a deep debt of gratitude and under a deep senee of apology to the people of Bruce- for the course I am compelled now to take. However, lam quitesure you will agree with me that a man's health is probably his first care — (applause), — and that it would not be to my benefit nor to that of my wife and family that I ehould do anything to injure myself by contesting an election wlieh I am not in a condition to do so. — (Applause.) I can only thank you mest sincerely for the compliment you "have paid me in coming here in 6ueh large numbers to-night." Mr Loudon again expressed his regret at the step h© had been forced to take, and said he hoped that at another time he- would be able to conic forward and take his part in what he considered to bo his country's good. — (Applause.) Mr Loudon then resumed his seat, end" th<i meeting dispersed with expressions of genuine regret and sympathy.