SPLITTING VOTES.

Wairarapa Age, 23 May 1928, Page 5

SPLITTING VOTES.

POSITION OF THE UNITED PARTY STATEMENT BY MR. FORBES CHRISTCHURCH, May 22. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Acting-Leader of the United Party) declared in an interview that the charge of vote-splitting made against the party could have no force whatever, because the remedy for such a position was entirely in the hands of the Government. If the Government was sincere in wisning to avoid vote-splitting at the election, it was in its power to-introduce a measure of electoral reform providing for the preferential system of voting. “When the Reform Government makes that charge against us,” said Mr. Forbes, “it doos so with the object of narrowing down Che choice of the electors to its own candidates as against Labour candidates, and tkat is a position that will not be tolerated. If there is any complaint about the splitting of votes, the responsibility must be laid entirely at the door of the Government. ’ ’ —(P.A.). EAST COAST SEATS GISBORNE, May 22. Though it is generally expected that Mr D. W. Coleman will represent Labour interests at the General Election for the Gisborne seat, the local Representation Committee, adopting the formal course, is calling nominations from affiliated unions. A suggestion that Labour may select a candidate to challenge the Hon. K. S. Williams (Minister of Public Works) has aroused mild interest, but the Representation Committee is not committed to this course as yet. W. D. Lysnar, M.P., has announced that he will be standing for Gisborne as an Independent, as on former occasions.—(P.A.).