EDEN SIDELIGHTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1926, Page 1

EDEN SIDELIGHTS.

SLOGAN OF CANDIDATES. MISS MELVILLE’S GRIM HUMOUR. AUCKLAND, March 23. An interesting study in connection with the Eden by-election is made by the slogans adopted by tlie rival candidates day after day. The official Reformer, Sir James Gunson, comes out with a succinct exhortation to “Hold fast to Eden.” Miss Melville, who calls herself the “True Reform Candidate,” counters this with grim humour in her plagarism of Reform’s old motto. Her slogan runs: “Reformers stand firm for Reform’s motto —A Square deal.” The ' Labourite, Mr Mason, gets a. dig at both, his rivals with. “Eden electors; the Government majority is too large; a stronger Opposition is needed; vote Mason.”

Air Mason, by the way, has followed ■Sir .Tames Gunson’s lead in placing the campaign on a political rather than a personal plane. In bis opening address be said that the most interesting feature of the contest, so far was the contest between the rival Reformers’ candidates. However, the supporters of Labour would realise that they had nothing to do with, the quarrel. Both the other candidates were standing for Reform, and therefore from tho Labour point of view there was nothing to choose between them. There was one other matter to which be wished to refer at tlie < outset. He bad seen a certain defamatory document (already mentioned by your currespondent) which be hoped bad not reached Henderson. He was sure that no member of the Labour Party would wish to be concerned in circulating anything of a defamatory nature concerning any candidate. It might seem superfluous to mention the matter, but lie would appeal to all who wished the Labour cause well to have nothing to do with anything that might give cause for reproach. “WITH LONG-HANDLED SHOVEL.” Tho Auckland city and suburban streets are well paved, but many of the country roads, even quite near the city, are in it shocking state, as the candidates are finding out. J bus strenuous work with a long handled shovel was required of Sir James Gunson at Gratia, wliou with members of his party lie laboured with vigour to extricate his car which had gone over the edge of tin- road on a detour. The Reform candidate was hastening to address a meeting of electors at Brigham’s Creek, and in passing a long narrow road was forced to the side of the road by another vehicle. Rains had rendered the road treacherous, and the heavy car partially overturned in a depression. Heavy rain was falling, hut the party, which included the Reform organiser, Mr E. A. Davy, set to work to dig the ear out. Fortunately another car came along, and the candidate reached the Brigham’s Creek meeting wet and muddy but unperturbed. He delivered a vigorous address, and was complimented by several speakers on not disappointing those who had journeyed through the. rain to hear him. In the evening again, Sir James Gunson went out from the city to Hobsonvilie, driving through heavy rain over some bad pieces of road. Here, too. appreciation was expressed at tho candidate’s action in keeping his appointment under adverse conditions.

Thu Labour candidate, Mr H. G. It. Mason, also had a motor accident to his ear in which lie was travelling to Henderson. Ho collided with the back of a Chinaman’s cart in a dark country road, and his car suffered' damage to the radiator and lamps. While Mr Mason was investigating the damage the Oriental descended from his cart, strode up to the candidate and uttered fierce imprecations, finally getting down on his . hands and knees to note the number of the car. At Avondale another car was secured, and the party pushed on through the rain to arrive at the Henderson Town Hall a few minutes late. Mr Mason, who had to make his address very brief in order to catch a train back to town, accepted the mishap in a philosophic spirit, and remarked that it was perhaps a portent of good fortune to have collided with a Chinaman.