GENERAL ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1922, Page 1

GENERAL ELECTION.

CANDIDATURE OF HON G. W. RUSSELL. (Lyttoton ‘ 1 Times’ ’). “I shall enter the contest with strong hopes of once more bringing Avon under the banner of the grand old beral Party,” said the Hon G. W • Rufjtiell, whan interviewed .regarding his decision to stand as a straight-out Liberal candidate for the Avon sent.

“I have given very careful consideration to the question of becoming a candidate for Avon,” said Mr Russell, “and I only consented to stand after receiving a large number ot requests to do so, not only from old friends and members of the Liberal party, but also from Labour people and Reformers. There is«a widespread feeling that at the present time the country is passing through a severe crisis .especially financially, and that men of experience and proved business capacity arc urgently required, altogether independent of party. A strong and capable Opposition ’is just as necessary in the interests of the country as a strong Government, the Opposition represents the audit. “Tit will be seen that I have announced myself as a straight-out Liberal. There is no question as to where 1 stand. In my election speeches 1 shall endeavour to define clearly itljo difference, the. wide diffcirence there is between a Liberal policy and the policy of the Party now in power. The policy which I will advocate will be practically a return to the greatprinciples of Liberalism as placed on the Statute Book by the- Ballanee, Sodden nod Ward Governments. Those principles still obtain, and the foundauientals of Liberalism never alter. Many greet questions remain to he dealt with in the interests of the progress of democracy, and these questions can he satisfactorily dealt with only on Liberal principle*. “I may point out,” Mr Russel added. “that at the 191-1 election I received 3(112 votes. Mr Sullivan 2569, and Mr 11. A. Acland, the strongest candidate the Reform Party could put up against me, 2261. At the 1919 election l polled 3-320 votes, 122 less than in 1911, while Mr Sullivan’s total rose to 5108, but there was no Re-form cajulida,te. on this occasion. This time there is a. Reform cautlida.te. also an Independent candidate. Tho latter is certalin to poll a large number of the votes of the official prohibition party, which has always been opposed to mo on account of my not being a prohibitionist. Therefore, I shall enter the contest with strong hoi>es of once more bringing Avon under the banner of the grand old Liberal Party.”