THE WAIRARAPA SEAT.

Wairarapa Age, 16 March 1922, Page 5

THE WAIRARAPA SEAT.

SELECTION OF CANDIDATE. . LIBERAL MEETING AT CARTERTON. A meeting of the United Progressive Liberal and Labour Party’s ®upjxirters jn the Wairarapa electorate, convened by Mr L. T. Cobcroft (Featherston), was held in Carterton last evening. About 25 were present, Mr Charles Reid being in the chair. -Mr Cobcroft stated that he had been in touch, with. Mr Wilford, who suggested they should get busy in .the Wairarapa and decide upon a candidate aa early as possible. Mr Wi - ford felt hopeful of the Liberals winning the elections throughout the country, and as soon as the selection was made in the Wairarapa he, with Messrs Statham and Veitch, would come into the district to further the candidate’s interests. Some of tfic old committee in Greytown were not taking an active part in the Two delegates had promised to come along, but unfortunately they were not present. They had three delegates from Martinborough. The meeting at Featherston had unanimously favoured the candidature of Mr J. W. Card. A voice: Has Mr Card been approached yet? Mr Cobcroft said he had, and if that meeting endorsed his candidature he would be only too, pleased to stand. He had been approached at the last election by prominent Reform supporters to come out in the interests of Reform, but he was loyal and turned them down. Mr W. Hart: Did Mr Card help to keep Sir Joseph Ward in power last year ? Mr Cobcroft said he understood Mr Card did not record a vote at all. Mr Hart: Then he helped to keep the Liberal man out. Continuing, Mr Hart said he could not forgive Mr Card, nor could he support him. He thought Mr A. C. Holms should be approached. Mr Cobcroft said Mr Holms was going to stand for the Alas terton seat. The chairman said it was unfortunate that the meeting had not been held before the candidate was selected. Meetings of Liberal supporters should have been held throughout the district, and a decision come to by representatives of the various committees. He did not care who the candidate was, so long as he had a fair chance of winning the seat. They had the prohibitionists and the P.PjA. to consider. Carterton was one of the Liberal strongholds of the Wairarapa, and should have been asked to send a representative to the Featherston meeting. A MAN WHO TWISTED. Mr E. McKenzie said it was a great mistake to have announced the candidate. It was also a mistake to have pressmen at the meeting. He hack the greatest respect for Mr Card as a man, but he had let the party down last election. A man who twisted could not be trusted, and Mir Card was entitled to give Liberal supporters an explanation. They should not aim at Considine, Ward and Co. Let them look after themselves, and remain in the Reform camp. The names of several men had been mentioned in this district who had a reasonable chance of- winning the seat. Thej- should not let Mr Witford ride them into an early selection. He hoped no members present would let his religion come into poktftcs, but unfortunately there were people who would consider this aspect. Could they win this seat with the odds against them in the P.P.A. and the prohibition party? He thought it was a pity tha?t Mr Hohns c-ould not be induced to come out of the Masterton contest in the interests of Liberalism, and contest this seat.

The chairman said he agreed with Mr McKenzie that there were matters which should be made public. The Retformers’Shever showed their hands until a decision was arrived at. They should hold their meetings in committee. He moved that the press be asked to retire. Mr Suck’ring seconded and the motion was carried unanimously, the reporters then retirings Prior to the meeting an /‘Age” reporter approached the convener, and asked if the press were to be admitted Mr Cobcroft replied that there wax no objectidii, as there was nothing to hide.