MB MOFFATT'S CANDIDATURE.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13286, 11 December 1911, Page 2

MB MOFFATT'S CANDIDATURE.

BIG L1U&IIA t, RALLY

On Saturday evening there tfas n ■very miyo uLtmidiineo at the .Liberal runy nwiu at tne Uiaic, oitcxors oi uotn sexes from•diiicrcnt pans of tho oiecioiutt) iVbtwiuiai;. ;ur w . of istoiie, occupied ti.o ciiair. j as- ciuui'iiiuu reiorru! to Liberal lights in the past, and in iv \igoioiib ppoacn urged alt tne electors to raiii round -Mr i»iohutt and put him at iiw iiead of thu poll at tne second oalloc.

iUr W. 1. jtfond urged -that a critical moment h«d arrived in the poiitius of Neiv Zealand He pointed to some of the excellent wefrte of the Liberal Government. He emphasised that they were engaged in a stiff political struggle, tlie issue of which was whether tiio Liberals or tho Opposition should occupy the1 Treasury benches. Ai iiiu eitctjrs acted wisely they would vote to retain the Liberals in ,;;)v\e.r, as tne Opposition had not glvon any good reason for turning ti:e ±jiooruis out. no concluded by urging that tfie electors should rally round Mr MofFatt and secure his return, because tiuit gentleman had given the electors his confident© in stating positively he would not vote ior the Opposition if a no-confidence motion was brought forward.

Mr J. K. Johnston said that as a iarge number of tiioKo who had previously supported Mr John Graham iiau come forward now to support Mr Moffatt, also a niimbc-r of electors who had voted for flip other candidates at the first ballot, lie considered t.'uu norganisation of the committee was neee&sary. It was his wisii that Mr .1. A. Graeo, wiio had been cliairnu:n of both Mr Graham's and 'Mr lUucmahon's committee, should be elected as enairwan of Mr Moil'att's greatly augmented committee. He particularly desired this because nof Mr Grace's greater experience lit electioneering matters, as on this occasion they were fight out to win. He concluded by moving :! motion to that effect, which was seconded and carried unanimously.

Mr Grace, in accepting the position, said lie agreed with Mr Graham's views that there was a' good chance of making a successful iigiit. and that he was sure they were all determined to do tiieir utmost to keep the Nelson seat for the Liberal Government. To do this they must support Mr Mofl'att, r.nd enroll as many supports: s as possible.

The meeting was most enthusiastic I throughout, the speakers being loudu '.pplauded, and Mr John Graham, who was present, had a great reception, and his kindly advice was much appreciated. Mr iUoiTatt has received a telosira'" from the lion J. A. Millar, expressing hearty good wishes for his success at the second ballot. Mr. W. J. Mofl'att will speak at Richmond to-night, and a I Vvakefield at 7.30, aiid Brightwater at 8.40 tomorrow.