WESTLAND CONTEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1809, 16 July 1906, Page 2

WESTLAND CONTEST.

AN INTERESTING SIDELIGHT.

An interesting sidelight on tho Westland election is contained in a letter appearing in Wednesday’s West Coast Times, signed by the Rev. W. J. Elliott, president of the West Coast branch of the Now Zoaland Allianoo. At a meeting of Mr Seddon’s Hokitika Committee, on Monday night, it was reported that Mr Elliott bad telegraphed to Mrs Seddon advising her, as a friend, that her son should withdraw, and that Mrs Seddon had replied that the advico was not necessary, as a Seddon kuow his duty. Tho committee gravely approved of the reply, Mr Elliott, in a letter, points out that ho was first approached by Mrs Sadden, who, on the eve of her son’s meetiog at Hokitika, telographod to him: 11 Will bo grateful for continuance

;o son of support so generously extended

in the past to his doer father,” Ho replied, “ Afraid cannot. Conscientiously think the wholo thing ill-advised. Would, as friond, even now urge withdraw.” Mrs Sodden replied, Thanks. Need no advioo, A Seddon knows his duty. Prefer to prove my friends nest Friday. Sorry 1 misunderstood you.” Mr Elliots concludes,

“Now, time and again during my sojourn in Wellington I defended the lste Premier on various bodies, aod thereby incurred tho odium of other friends, and ali I have to say now is that if tho people only value my friendship for what they oan get out of mo it is hardly good enough.” At Wellington a reporter asked the Rov. F. W Isitt if the New Zealand Alliance took any part in political contests. “ Car-

loinly the Alliance does not tako part in political contests.” Mr Isitt replied, *• ex cept in the case of men who hold very prominent positions in our ranks.” In the .ease of the West Coast tho oentral execu-

tive body would held. absolutely aloof, Neither of the candidot's ; e a supporter ci

our movement, though one ha i stated he believes in the principle. It will distress tho executive nf tbo Alliance that the Rsv.

Mr Elliott, ns president of the West Const branch, should have written a letter taking UP a sirpog antagonirfio position, aod doiog go should sign fcimaalf president Go{t“t branch. As a matter of of tho Woo. ~*iulon of the Rev. W. foot, it is only the ‘■'•‘ter, who ,J. Elliott, Wesleyan tm-. * u * happens to hold the presidentship 01 «*•- . Went Const bfsuch of the Allianoo.