THE EGMONT SEAT,

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1527, 24 August 1912, Page 5

THE EGMONT SEAT,

MR. DIVE'S RETIREMENT, LOYAL TO THE PARTY. TWO INTERESTING LETTERS. A largo mooting of members of the Ro form Leajryo and supporters of tho He< form party was held in tho Town Hall, Elthiun, on Wednesday evening. The meeting was very representative, members of tho league and supporters of tho party being in attendance from many parts of tho Egmont electorate. Mr. J. T. Quin, president of Uio local branch of tho league, occupied the chair. Tho Reform Organiser, who was pieGent, explained tho objects of the meeting, and in the course of his remarks said that a misunderstanding had unfortunately arisen in connection with the candidature of Messrs. Divo and Wilkinson for the Ejniont scat at tho pending election, no went on to stato how the liarty would bo embarrassed if tho two gentlemen named went to tho poll, and explained how tho misunderstanding had occurred. Ho hoped Hint no matter who contested tho seat in tho interests cf the' party, those present would stand loyal and secure the sent by returning the Government candidate. Mr. Wilkinson pointed out that Mr. Lindogreon (tho Government Organiser) had mado tho position clear, eo that his (Mr. Lindegreen's) action might bo justified in the matter. Ho went on to explain that he had liad no idea Mr. Dive would bo ono of those ho would havo to meet in tho contest; and so that thero should 1)0 no split in tho party vote, ho had 'Determined that lio would not go to tho poll if Mr. Divo decided to go on. Ho had no desire- to embarrass tho and handed tho chairman tho following letter.— Chairman, Reform League, ElUiani. Doar Sir,— On tho occasion of tho first by. election to bo held after tho initiation ot the Reform party's Government, it would liftve, in my humble opinion, an exceedingly bad effect—not only in tho Egmont electorate, but perhaps ' throughout (ho whole of the Dominion' —if tho election ponding were to bo fought by two candidates,, both professing to represent that party. • ■ ■ ' As you aro aware, at a meeting held", on tho 17th instant, I mado many proposals to Mr. Dive with regard to Iho possibility of a settlement of differences. these suggestions wero unfortunately not availed of in any way, and there now remains onlv ono course of conduct for either Mr; Dive or niveclf to pursue—i.e., for ono of lis to entirely withdraw from tho contest in favour of Hie oilier. .Mow', in order to avoid any split in the party, and with tho view of consolidating our forces ea tlmt a united front may bo presented to our opponents, should they decido to run a candidate- at the 'forthcoming election, I respectfully beg to withdraw from tho contest. Yours faithfully, .(Sgd.) C. A. WILKINSON. Eltlmra, 21st August, 1012. In reply Mr, Divo stated that he wish*' ed to make a few remarks, mid ho would then hand in a letter to the chairman of tho Reform League; which ho. trusted would straighten out tho tangle. Hβ exonerated Mr. Wilkinson from responsibility for nuy troublo that had arisen, and hearing that tho latter had decided to withdraw from tho contest in tho event of thero being two candidates contesting the scat in. the interests of tho Reform party, he had after serious consideration deemed that it whs his duty also to make a sacrifice as h- small compensation for the many considerations ho had received at his (Mr; Wilkinson's) hands. Finally, ho stated that in reply to statements nindo that ho'(Mr. Dive) had been asked definitely from an authoritative source as to whether ho would stnnd or not was incorrect. Ho had now much pleasure in handing in tho following letteri— .The Chairman, Reform League, Eltham. ; Dear Sir, — Hearing- that Mr. Wilkinson had decided to withdraw from tho "contest in the Egmont by-clcction, I e wish to stato that I fully recognise that ho has done po, not only in tho interests of the Reform Party, ..but also out of generosity to myself, and which I fully appreciate. Further, I wish, to notify you that after serious consideration of tho position, I havo decided to withdraw from tho contest, and in doing so suggest that yon will again respectfully ask Mr. Wilkinson to ofl'cr himself as a. candidate. . • ' .' ' In any case, whoever tho candidate might be, I respectfully ask-..that all my loyal supporters will accoTd tho same loyal support to tho candidate as I will give. In conclusion, I desire to tender niy sincere thanks to (.he party for their hearty and loyal supporE in two strenuous contests. I am, Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) B. DIVE.. . Eltham, August 21, 1912. . . ■ After this letter had been read Mr. Wilkinson was,nominated to contest tho feat in tho interests of the Reform Party, and on rising to return thanks for the honour dono him, . lie was greeted with a great burst of applause. A vote of thanks was uccorded to Mr. Divo for tho loyalty he had displayed in tho matter. A vole of thanks to the chairman closed, the meeting:.