EDEN BYE-ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1926, Page 3

EDEN BYE-ELECTION.

UNSUCCESSFUL REFORM NOMINEES DISSATISFIED. [BY TELEGRAPH—I’ER lUtF.SS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND. March 1. The seven unsuccessful nominees lot re-election as the Reform candidate fm Eden express themselves as exceedingly dissatisfied over the methods that were followed at the selection meeting. They state they were kept under lock and key in a room, and they were onlv allowed out in turn to address the meeting. What, particularly annoys them is the fact that Sir James Cunsoii. the successful candidate, did not have any similar restrictions imposed upon him. The following telegram has been dispute lied to the Prime Minister:— “ Eden live-election. Protest by Reform candidates. A Vo, the undersigned candidates, who submitted our names for the selection of a candidate in the Reform, interests in the above bye-elec-tion. desire to reaffirm the protest thathad already been entered by us before

the ballot was taken by the delegates at .Mount Albert on March I. There were serious irregularities in connection with the proceedings, and wo. therefore, decline to hold ourselves hound to our pledges. “ While there were a number of ir-

regularities. our chief criticism is that, while we wore all kepi under lock and key. as prisoner-., and were conducted, one by one, under strict control, to the audience chandler, and were not allowed to hear each' other’s speeches. Sir

.James Gnnson was given preferential treatment, in that he was allowed his liberty, and was in a position to hear the speeches of the other candidates. The Organiser was in private communication with .Sir .lames Gimson throughout the evening. We ask the Reform Party to stand hy the pledges given to us on their behalf that we. would lie given fair play if wo put ourselves in tin l hands of our party. (Signed) ELLEN MELVILLE, S. OLDFIELD, W. .1. TA IT, T. J. FLEMING, L. F. RHODES. B. BUNN, DAVID R. RUSSELL.” ORGANISER EXPLAINS. AUCKLAND. March J.

The Reform Party Organiser. Mr Davy, says the malcontents' 11 loti's t is “ ridiculous in the extreme.” He says: “ Their charges have no foundation ill fact. The candidates could have gone into the street and joined Sir James fHinson, as the door leading to the street was open. The reason for locking the other door was to keep the public out. not the candidates. Mr T. J. Fleming, one of the rejected aspirants, has dissociated himself from the public protest made hy the others. lie pledges his support to Sir -Tames Gnnson.

Sir James Gunson, when questioned regarding the complaint of the rejected Reform aspirants for the Eden seat, declined to make any statement. lie said lie was not responsible for any grievance that the malcontents might have. He had carried out all that had devolved upon him. and he had appeared before the delegates. MISS MELVILLE TO STAND. AUCKLAND. Afarch 4. Alis.s Ellen Melville has definitely announced herself as an Independent candidate for Eden. Aliss Melville was next to Sir .Tns. Gunson in the order of selection at t'ho delegates’ meeting.