WANGANUI SEAT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1566, 23 September 1905, Page 2

WANGANUI SEAT.

PLETHORA OF CANDIDATES. 1 Matters political are somewhat mired in M Wanganui just now, there being no fewer , f than four candidates standing iin the Liberal interest. A meeting was oulled by Mr ,• Culver, general secretary of the Liberal j aud Labor Federation of New Zealand, for the purpose of forming a branch of « that organisation in Wanganui. The hall, which seated about 300 people, was packed to the doors, many finding only standing room, whilst others were unable to obtain admission. Two of the rival were present, one of them attended by lys,-*' supporters in full foroe. Mr A. G. Bfgn«|| ( . ”* i! Mayor of Wanganui, presided. Mr Culver, in au address occupying an hour and a half, outlined and constitution of the federation, explaining its objects and aspirations. At tho conclusion of"tW general secretary’s address, one of the candidates for politioal honors mot/ed a resolution to the * effect that no branhh of the federation fas' formed in Wanganui, ..This was seconded, i but only fouDd/favor with the proposer’® own supporters. It was then announced that a Liberal Association was already ini existence, tho members of which had beoomo apathetic, and as a consequence,, the association had almost ooased working.. - After a lengthened and interesting dig- - oussion, it was ;resolvod to form the association into a branch of Jthe Liberal and! Labour. Federation, and to call another meeting within seven days to elect fresh; officers. Some forty or fifty of those present gave their names as intending members. The late association being in funds, a cheque representing the balanoo in hand was placed to the credit of the new branch. At tho conclusion of tho business, Me Culver explained tho working of the Second Ballot Bill and the Absolute Majority Bill now before the House, and a , mook election was held under tho Absolute Majority system. The candidates chosen were the celebrated novelists Dickens, Thackeray, Soott, Naff Gould, Conan Doyle, Marie Corelli, Silas Hooking, and Hall Caine. The election resulted in Chas. Dickons being announced ) aB the favorite author,

The opinion of all present wa3 that should tho four Liberal candidates decide to go to the poll, the Wanganui seat stood in great jeopardy as far as tho Liberal Party was ooncerned, unless one of tho two bills referred to were passed by tho House.