THE SECOND BALLOT.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12405, 21 November 1908, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE SECOND BALLOT.

MR GRAHAM'S CANDIDATURE There was a meeting of Mr Graham's General Committee at the Rechabito 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 be even stronger than it had been, and they would possess enhanced facilities for _the work that would have to he done. ! He assured them of the' necessity, to. work as enthusiastically as ever, 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 ho liked. He read telegrams fro several of his Parliamentary friends. Sir J. G. Ward wired :— "Exceedingly pleased to hear 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 thePremfer predicted. ■ The Hon R., McNab wired :—"Receipt of your wire in the hour of my defeat is appreciated to the utmost, and I can only thank you for the . generous sentiments „which prompted the communication. Resurgani." The Hon J. A. Millar, Minister for Labour, wir/id :—^"Allow meto congratulate "you on the. position you occupy at' present, and I trust you will-be returned on the second ballot Kind regards." The Hon G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, wired : — "Congratulations on yesterday's result, and best Avishes for final victory." He read fully fifty other telegrams received, from friends and supporters in the 'electorate and had replied to these thanking those who sent them, and asking them to renew their efforts to effect his return on Tuesday next. v During the evening Mr Moffafct entered the Hall and asked leave to make a statement. Ho said that he desired to deny -'a rumour which was being persistently circulated to tlie effect that he was paid by' 'Mr Graham to assjst 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, arid moreover his following had been so small, especially in the Sounds (where lie was supposed to bo about to: make a special: effort lio help Mr Graham) that he was at a loss to. see that his support was of any great value.' Mr Graham said that all admired tho straightforward way in ' which Mr- Moffatt had contested the first ballot .and the manly manner in whicli ■he had played the game off his own bat to the best . of his ability .^-Communicated... - . ■'"•:"■