PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 14437, 7 June 1910, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

CALLED POB 28th INST. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 6. An extraordinary '‘Gazette’’ has been issued calling members of Parliament together for the despatch of business on Tuesday, June 28. AUCKLAND BY-ELECTION. The election of member of the House of Representatives as representative of Auckland East, vice the late F. E. Raume, will be held on Thursday, 16th inst., nominations will bo received up to Wednesday, Sth inst. AUCKLAND, June 6. Jlr Arthur M. Myers, who is a candidate for the Auckland East seat as an Independent Liberal, opened his campaign this evening, when he addressed a largely attended meeting of electors. He commented on the legislation passed by the Liberal Party since It came into power, and stilted that these measures, especially those from 1594 onward, had done a great deal to promote the prosperity of the country. Mr Myers received a vote of thanks and confidence. Mr W. Richardson, another of the candidates, said that he was a Prohibitionist and Protectionist. He was opposed to the Ward Administration because he considered that it was working hand in glove with the liquor party and did not strive for the welfare of the masses. TROUBLE IN LABOUR CAMP. AUCKLAND, June 6. A serious split has occurred in the Labour party in connection with the choice of a candidate for Auckland East seat. Mr George McKnight was definitely chosen as the party's candidate at a mass meeting held in the Choral Hall on Apr'l 30. The decision was not as unanimous as it might have been; and further, although prior to the ballot those present pledged themselves to be bound by the decision, a faction has since been working persistently against Mr McKnighl’s candidature. It appears that in this connection certain charges were made and answered and that although efforts were made to smooth over the difficulty no satisfactory solution was arrived at. Matters came to a climax on Saturday when it was decided to ask Mr McKnight to withdraw in favour of Mr G. Davis. The former, however, declined to accede to the request, whereupon it was resolved to run Mr Davis as the Labour Patty’s nominee. There are now therefore two Labour candidates in the field, both of whom claim the official support of their pari v. At a moiling of the Central Committee the following resolution was passed: —’’That, owing entirely to the fact of the personal convictions of the selected Labour candidate. Mr O. McKnight, being in conflict with an important plank of the Dominion Labour Party programme, we have regretfully to request Mr McKnight to retire from (he present contest with our assurance that we repudiate any reflections which may be cast upon his personal character. and extend In him our sympathy, this decision being arrived at wholly on the ground that the party’s interest must take precedence over all persona! considerations." On being asked what plank or planks of the party lie had departed from Mr McKnight declared dial he had not departed from any. He also declared that if the Central Committee touched any of (lie tr.n subscribed for his candidature there would be trouble.