THE EGMONT ELECTORATE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1928, Page 11

THE EGMONT ELECTORATE

C. A. WILKINSON APPROACHED ENTHUSIASTIC ELTHAM MEETING. REPLY PROMISED WITHIN WEEK. After being enthusiastically asked by a representative gathering of over 100 Liberals to contest the seat of the Egmont electorate, Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, of Eltham, promised to give a definite answer within a week. At the same time he declined to be bound by any pledge, or to support any party whose policy was known. The rally took place at Eltham last night. In addition to the general public, accredited delegates were present from Rahotu, Normanby, Omata, Okato, Warea, Oakura, Newell Road, Kora, Tataraimaka, Oaonui, Kapuni and Mataptl. The chairman, Mr. J. W. Stubbs, explained that Mr. Wilkinson had been iinablo to attend, but had intimated that he was with tho Liberals in the common objective of ousting tho present member and tho present Government, Mr. E. W. Hancock, of Cardiff, wrote offering support to Mr. Wilkinson. Mr. W. C. Green, Rahotu, wrote stating that he had been asked to stand by a large number of electors, and had promised to do so. If he should not consent to allow himself to be nominated it was then intended to nominate another Liberal-Labour candidate from along th© coast. Mr. Green further : wrote that he knew the Eltham people had on their committee some who did him a lot of harm during the last con- > test and concluded by saying that as he was sure of a lot of support, hie present intention was to contest the Seat. ?,ir. C. Taplin strongly resented the remarks contained in Mr. Green’s letter. He had been on the Eltham committee and could say that Mr. Green had had loyal support. He thought the remarks were quite uncalled for. Mr. F. Lelirke also spoke in similar terms. MR. WILKINSON'S POLITICS. Mr. Green made a spirited reply, defending tho statements contained in his letter, but voices called for “order”’ and asked that tho business before the meeting be proceeded with.

To a question as to Mr. Wilkinson’s status tho chairman said he could say definitely that Mr. Wilkinson was not a Reformer nor a Labourite. He had left his nomination in tho hands of that meeting. The various delegates then outlined their instructions, after which, on a vote, it was decided to ask Mr. Wilkinson to attend in order to save the meeting from going to him.

Mr. Wilkinson, who received an ovation on arrival, was asked plainly how he would vote as an Independent on a no confidence motion. He replied that he could only go back to Parliament independent of all parties. At the same time he recognised that there had to bo some kind of team work in order to run a country, but to-day political matters were in a state of chaos. He could not bind himself to support th© United Party without knowing who was to be its leader or what its policy. Neither could he say, in advance, whether he would help to oust the Government unless he knew of another that could be set up in its place. Mr. Green was then appealed to and said he was opposed to the present Government, and did not care who knew it. He would support th© Liberal Party, either Nationalists or United, but on. a no confidence motion would never vote with Labour. Th© chairman referred to Mr. Green’s statement of his position as contained in his letter, and in reply Mr. Green said he was in the hands of the representative deputation which had persuaded him to be a candidate. He had been asked to stand by Liberals throughout the whole electorate. The matter was then put to the vote, everybody except five voting in favour of asking Air. Wilkinson to accept the candidature.

Mr. Wilkinson said his feeling plainly was that he desired to see Mr. Hawken lose his seat. For business and private reasons he asked for a week in which to give his answer. To this the meeting agreed, amid scenes of great enthusiasm.