RAGLAN ELECTORATE

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14133, 9 August 1919, Page 7

RAGLAN ELECTORATE

REQUISITION PRESENTED.

TO MR CAMPBELL JOHNSTONE

Some time, ago several electors of the Raglan electorate met Mr Campbell Johnstone, of Whatawhata, and requested him to accept nomination at their hands as a candidate for the forthcoming election. Mr Johnstone stated that if it were the wish of a sufficiently large number to ensure his having a reasonable chance of success he would consider the matter. The outcome was that on Thursday a number of the most prominent and influential of the electors again met Mr Johnstone and repeated their request, accompanying the same with the presentation to him of a largely signed requisition, from all parts of the constituency, in which each and all assured him of their very hearty support should he acquiesce in their request., Mr Johnstone, in reply, stated that as so very many of the electors seemed to desire it, he could but accept the honour conferred on him, and in so doing would like to make a" few remarks as to the position in which lie stood. Owing to the country being in a very chaotic slate through the influences of the war, and what the majority of the citizens deemed the unbusinesslike manner in which the present Government had handled the situation, lie, did not feel justified in pledging himself to support either one of the present, leaders, and that in the meantime they must take him more or less on trust. In so doing, however, he wished to assure them that should they secure his return to the Mouse they might rest assured that their interests would- beome his own. He further stated that he considered the interests,of :the labourer and those of the fanner might well be classed ?s identical, as, after all, both wore workers, ami he' felt sure, such being the chse;''a'fair deal to the one would mean v. ifqSiara ! n"t)al''tb the other. He would be;p!eas'ed'.to meet Hie electors at the

""''rent 'centres at a date in the not far • ' ;iet future when he would express h'v opinions on many vital subjects that at the' present time were so uppermost in the minds of the thinking majority.

A vote of confidence in Mr Johnstone and the decision to set up working committees in the different districts to secure his return brought the meeting to a close.

Tire requisition contained the names of some 350 electors.