THE SECOND BALLOT.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12404, 20 November 1908, Page 2

THE SECOND BALLOT.

MR GRAHAM'S CANDIDATURE Mr Graham's Election Committees are iuvited to meet at the Rechabite Ifall this and to-morrow evenirgs at eight o'clock. gThe committee room will bo open all to-day and every day (ex"ept Sundny) until the election is over. Mr Graham in an advertisement in this issue returns his tnan«s to all"those electors who recorded their votes in his favour on Tuesday last and he solicits their support again on the occasion of the seond ballot next Tuesday. There was a meeting of Mr Graham's General Committee at the ltechabito Hall on Wednesday evening last, the building being full. The Chairman, Mr A. A. Grace, said that the result of the first ballot had been such that in all probability it would be necessary for them to go to the poll next Tuesday. Their organisation, however, would bo even stronger than it had been, and they would possess enhanced facilities for the work that would have to be done. He assured them of the necessity to work as enthusiastically as evor, and predicted that success would crown their efforts and those which the friends were making throughout the electorate. Mr Graham, who was received with loud applause, outlined the position in regard to Tuesday's poll, and said that the contest was now a straight out fight between himself and his principal opponent, and a straight out fight was what he liked. He road telegrams fro several of -his Parliamentary friends. Sir J. G. Ward wired: —"Exceedingly pleased to hoar of your return." He had replied to the Premier that the Second Ballot Bill (which he, Mr Graham, had opposed and voted against) necessitated renewed efforts; but that he felt confident that the result would be what the Premier predicted. The Hon R. McNab wired:—"Receipt of your wire in the hour of my defeat is appreciated to the iitmost, and I can only thank you for the generous sentiments which prompted the communication. Resurgam." The Hon J. A. Millar, Minister for Labour, wirjed: —"Allow meto congratulate you on the position you occupy at present, and I trust, you will bo returned on the second ballot Kind regards."The, Hon G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, wired : —"Congratulations on yostcrday's result, and best, wishes for final victory." He read fully fifty other telegrams received from friends and supporters in the electorate and bad replied to these t.hanking those who sent them, and asking them to renew their efforts to effect his return on Tuesday next. During the evening Mr Moffatit entered the "Hall and asked leave to make a statement. He said that ho desired to deny a rumour which was being persistently circulated to the effect that ho was paid by Mr Graham to assist the latter in his candidature on the second ballot. This was a deliberate falsehood, and was calculated to damage his reputation.. He was paying his own expenses himself and looked to no one else to pay them. Seeing that he possessed no organisation he was not in a position to say who had voted for him at the first poll, and therefore he could not see how he could assist another candidate, and moreover his following had been so small, especially in the Sounds (where he was supposed to be about to make a special effort to help Mr Graham) that ho was at a loss to see that his support was of any great value. . . Mr Graham said that all admired the straightforward way in which Mr Moffatt had contested the first, ballot ,and the manly manner in which he had played the game off. his own bat to the best of his ability.—Communicated.