EDEN BY-ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1926, Page 4

EDEN BY-ELECTION.

MISS MELVILLE IS HECKLED AUCKLAND, March 24

Oreal interest centres in the Kden hy-electioH, in which the official Reform candidate'. Sir .fames dunson, opened his campaign to-night. The Reform Party is leaving no stone unturned in its determination to retain the seat, in spite of the. fact that Miss F.llen Melville, one of the disgruntled aspirants for the Party’s favour. is also going to the poll. The chairman who presided at Hie district meetings of electors to appoint delegates to the conference which ultimately chose Kir .James Hanson have all made sworn statements to the effect that the proceedings were; regular, and were conducted in a. proper and impartial manner. The Reform Party publishes these statements, together with the resume of the situation, in today’s "Herald,” to the extent of three and a half columns. Miss Melville had a lively meeting last night at .Mount Albert, when .she expounded her grievances for the second time. The audience got rather cut of hand in the later stages of the meeting. and there was much good-hum-oured noise and chaff before it closed. Miss Melville’s address was similar to that delivered by her at Avondale. Some of her remarks were challenged by people in the audience, especially when she referred to the conduct of the preliminarv selection meetings. •She reiterated that “plumping” had been unfairly prohibited, and. had materially affected the personnel of the delegation. .... In response to cries of “.there.' Miss' Melville said that “plumping” had been prohibited at the Mount Albert meeting. A man in the audience then rose and declared that the question whether “plumping” should be allowed had H en put to the meeting. Miss Melville: That has nothing to do" with it . It was the organiser, and not the chairman, who directed it. Referring to the deputation of '"omen which hail asked her to witndraw, Mns Melville said that the members were tools in the hands of a person -a no was trying to influence her. The Labour candidate (Air H. H. Mason) has started organising and will have the Auckland Labour members as chairmen at all Bis meetings.