THE GREY SEAT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1779, 18 June 1913, Page 8

THE GREY SEAT.

REAL CONTEST BEGINNING. ORGANISERS AT WORK(By Tfleffraph.-Srccial Correspondent.) Hokitika, Juno 17. The contest for the Grey seat has begun in real earnest. Thcro are now. four organisers. on the spot. Mr. Semplo and Professor Mill? have arrived, and tlie Reform Party and Opposition organisers aro also at work. The contest promises to bo a particularly sharp and warm one. This morning a. deputation, representing a strong backing, waited upon Mr. H. h. Michel, at Hokitika, for the purpose ol presenting a number of requisitions, containing several 'hundreds of names, asking Mr. Michel to allow himself to bo nominated for the seat in the interests of the Reform Party. . l'ho requisitions were from Greymouth, Keefton, Cobden, blackball, and other places, and the names of many representative citizens were included in the list. Mr. W. Morris, w J ho presented the requisition, assured Mr. Michel' of solid support if he wouldcomo out as » Government candidate. lhey had not had time to visit the whole ot the electorate, but he was certain that there was every'prospect of a big vote being cast for Mr. Michel. He had taken one of the requisitions round Greymouth, and had only met with one opposed to Mr. Michel's candidature. For various reasons, he said some of tho people m business in Greymouth, who were favourable to Mr. Michel, preferred not to Sign a requisition. Messrs. Holmes (Cobden) and Leich (Blackball), the other members of the deputation, spoko in a. similar strain.- - ' • In replying, Mr. Michell said he much regretted the death of Sir Arthur Guinness, and the need for a by-election. He felt that it was a compliment to him that he had been asked to contest the seat. His political platform was almost identical 'with that of tho Reform Party, and he had contested the previous election, on the same policy. He could not, howevei, give them an answer until ho bad consuited the leading representatives ot the party which had so loyally supported his candidature in .Westland,. where be had scored over 3000 votes against the Liberal candidate, and lie would call Lis leading supporters together, and consult them, and give the Greymouth people an answer .within a day or two. Mr.-Michei has received numerous telegrams and letters from all parts of the Grey electorate, asking liim to contest "the seat, but some of his friends adviso him not to leave Westland, where, his election at tl» next general election is highly probable. ■ ; The-JDpposition candidate met Ma supporters"last evening, and tho plan of campaign was discussed., Those who take a keen interest in politics are anxiously awaiting Mr. Hannan s declaration of the Opposition policy- n Messrs. Semple and Mills open tho ball to-mor-row, when they are down to address the electors on behalf of Labour.