MR. BRANDON SPEAKS AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 127, 15 February 1918, Page 6

MR. BRANDON SPEAKS AGAIN

HE WILL NOT STAND DOWN that alleged request. Mr. Brandon addressed his second meeting in the Methodist Schoolroom, Molcsworth Street, last night. Mr. E. F. Hadfiold presided, and some 200 people were present. The chairman spoke, for some minutes in justification of the candidature of Mr. Brandon. Mr. Brandon detailed the political principles for which he stood, speaking in much tho same terms as lie used in his speech at Kelb'.irn. Ho was particularly insistent upon the necessity for sinking all differences of opinion in the community in order that there might be no dissipation of effort which ought to be concentrated on winning the war. He referred to the statements made to tho effect that he had been asked by tho Reform League to stand, and that lie had declined. "That incident," said Mr. Brandon, "took placc at ■ meeting with closed doors, and not meeting called as representing AYr! lington North constituency. It was ■ mooting arising out of some ramifications of the Reform League, and it

wits a mooting called, I beliovo, to try to secure some litfclo unanimity regarding tho selection of a candidate. At that mooting a very old friend of mine, Mr. Isaac Clark —I pla.ved marbles with him fifty years ago—was making some general remarks, and ho said —I wonder that Mr. Brandon has never gone into politics.' 1 then replied, after there had been a little general discussion, and I gave some of tiie reasons which had kept mo out of politics thirty-six years ago, and the reasons which had fcept-ine in seclusion since then. Those present_ at the niLcting have construed that into a refilled tluit I should stand and a refusal on my part to do so. My name was not mentioned at the meeting as that cf a, possible candidate for this district. It. was mentioned in a kindly way by Mr. Clark, who said no more than this: ! 1 wonder why Mr. Brandon hr.s not come into politics.' That_ is tlie explanation of the statement which is being circulated through this district to-day, in the liopo of persuading my friends that I am not an obstinate man when I have made up my mind, and that I am perhaps ready to change it now."

Mr. Brandon ropiind to the _ statements made to tho effect that his candidature would have no other effect than to split the vote in favour of the National Government. He declared that he had at least as good a right to stand for tho seat as Mr. Luke had, and for tho reasons that he was an elector of the district, that ho had been asked to stand by electors in tho district, and that Mr. Luke had been introduced into the contest from another district by tho gentleman who was called the leader of the Reform League, but without reference_ to the league. Mr. Brandon was insisting that the blame for the present situation should not rest on him, When someone called: But you'll go m easy! iLoud laughter.) He referred also t-o the/ requests being made that he should retiro from the contest, and in answer to a question oil the point from a Labour man well known in tho movement, Mr. Brandon made this reply: "Ladies and gentlemen, —It is not the intention of ifr. Brandon to stand down." Whereupon the questioner said: Don't forget to stick to that, now. Mr. Brandon was asked whether he would support the repeal of the antishouting law, whether he was in favour of the tnrce-fifths majority oil the liquor issue, and whether ho would support the repeal of six q,'clock closing of hotel bars. Ho replied to all three questions iu a group by saying simply that he objected altogether to all such contentious questions of domestio policy being raised in war time.

The meeting was closed by Mr. Brandon thanking the people for having come to hoar him. He announced tli.-it the chairman did not propose that any motion should bo submitted to tlio meeting.