BAY OF ISLANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1929, Page 2

BAY OF ISLANDS

PROGRESS OF CONTEST

RUMOURS DENIED

AUCKLAND, April 5

Air H. M. Rushworth, Country Party candidate for the Bay of Islands seat addressed a largely-attended meeting at Hikurangi on Wednesday, ajnd after a sympathetic hearing he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, moved by Air R. Nesbitt, who is prominent in Labour circles.

Air Rushworth denied rumours current in the electorate regarding his solvency, his religion and his attitude towards the Labour Party. He said that be had promised to support the United Party so long as it worked in the direction indicated to him by Sir Joseph Ward with the object of reducing the cost of living and thus relieving the working farmer. He paid a tribute to the Government for clearing up the arrears ot loans to workers and settlers. He said that the legislation of the last six years prevented a member for a district from influencing the construction oi roads and bridges which, under the present system of financing local bdVlies, would come forward whether a district had a member or not.

Mr Nesbitt, in proposing the vote of thanks, said that Labour was supporting ATr Rushworth not because of any pact, hut because there being no official Labour candidate he was preferable to Air Allen Bell, the Reform candidate.

Mr H. M. Rushworth writes to the “Auckland Star” to sav that reports from various districts state that personal charges against himself are in circulation. He requests electors who

may he disturbed by these last-minute accusations to communicate with him at Tvawakawa.