THE RAGLAN ELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1927, Page 3

THE RAGLAN ELECTION

SIR JOSEPH AVARD TO SPEAK AUCKLAND, Sept. 22. The entry of Sir Joseph AVard into thte Raglan bye-election has greatly quickened interest in the contest. The decision cam© as a surprise, as there was no whisper of this development until two tfelegrams from Sir Joseph AVard arrived this afternoon, timed 2.50 p.m. from Parliament Buildings. Sir Joseph AVard Is to speak to-morrow night at AVaiuku and Buckland, the two most northerly centres of the electorate.

Similarly at short notice the Liberal Leader, Afr A\\ A. A’eitcli, will descend to-morrow night on the Ngaruawahia centre of the electorate to support the Liberal candidate, Air T. Parker. The latter is well-known. amT popular in Ngaruawahia, having been chairman of the Town Board and president of the Chamber of Commerce when he resided there some years ago. Air Parker, so far, has had platform support from two prominent Auckland Liberals, Afr Hall Skelton and Dr Horton, but the latest reinforcement will be most welcome and heartening. The Labour Party is also making a great effort to capture the seat and Afr Lee Alnrtin is receiving the support of Mr P. Fraser and Air AV. J. Jordan Al’sP. in meetings throughout the electorate, as well as that of Afr Walter Nash, general secretary of the party. Official Reform lias so far relied on tho Hon A. D. Al’Leod who has been speaking and working through the agricultural centres. The Prime Alinister will .spend Afonday. Tuesday and AVednestlay in the electorate. UNCONVENTIONAL REFORAIER. Aleamvhilo Air AVaring. the Reform

candidate, is going his good-humoured way. He might almost he described, despite his years, as happy-go-lucky, and the real danger for his party is lest the electors should not take him seriously as their representative in Parliament. The following excerpt, front his speech at Hmitly last evening illustrates his happy-go-lucky, almost irresponsible attitude towards politics, although there is a shrewd humour which is not to he denied.

“I am not going to tell you a great deal more, because I do not know much,” lie declared amid much good-humoured laughter. “J now may not. he able to give a. reason for everything, but in Parliament we want tonimoiisen.se, not politics. There was a racehorse named All Talk, and 1 believe it has been turned out because it was not. much good.” “I can stand the test of investigation,” said Afr Waring in conclusion, “f have made a success of a good many things, for ] have had several irons in the lire. If you think I am suitable you know what to do; if not, you know what to do. Somebody asked me the other day if I was in favour of abolishing the Upper House. I said ‘No, because if they throw me out of the Lower House I can get into the Upper,’ (laughter) and 1 think 1 would look well there too. 1 am not here of my own seeking, but someone has to staml and I have come forward.” (Applause). In reply to one questioner with a pronounced dialect, who asked how he would deal with unemployment and immigration. Mr AA’aring said he doubted whether the Government really was responsible for bringing so many people into the country. So far as ho could make out most of them had been nominated by friends who hail arrived earlier.

“T wish you were a banker,” the candidate observed to another matt who wanted to know why public works could not be carried on without borrowing. “I would come to you and

1 should he all right.” (Laughter). The candidate caused still more annisment when a questioner began a speech on the ways of Tooley Street. Taking a large [printed leaflet from the table Air AVaring pressed it on the man, “Take that. Read, mark, learn and digest it,” he added. The questioner did not reject the gift. The upshot was that in the centre of a coalmining district these unconventional methods earned a vote of thanks with applause for the Reformer. “AA’e have differences of opinion, but I honour and respect the feelings of others as I do my own,” said Mr AVaring, in returning thanks. “It does not matter if you vote for me or not—we shall "he none the less friends —not a hit.”