PARNELL BYEELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1930, Page 7

PARNELL BYEELECTION

CAMPAIGN INCIDENTS. WHY LABOUR SUPPORTED IT. “Why did the Labour party support the United legislation? I say it was because 'it was good legislation.”—The Hon E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, at'St. Alary’s Church Hall last week. “1 AM .ONLY HUMAN.” “I am not omniscient. I am only human.”—Air Donald, in excusing himself for having no knowledge why the postal authorities failed to deliver a certain letter in Samoa. BELLAAIY’S. “Bellamy’s is a place where you can get good cocoa, tea and coffee and also some of tho finest whisky that ever went down a man’s throat.”—-Mr R. A. Wright, ALP. Air Wright, being a strict prohibitionist, it can be assumed that he was speaking of what other M.P.’s have told him. “WHISPERERS.” Air R. A. Wright, M.P. for Wellington Suburbs, is a comical storyteller. When Air W. P Endean mentioned that, Air Wright had given him some valuable tips about questions that are asked candidates, the Wellington AI.P. said, “You don’t know you’re born yet. You will get all sorts of questions fired at you. And another thing you will have to put up with—the whisperers-H>co|ple who spread all sorts of unkind and untrue remarks about you. If you stand for 'Parliament anything you have ever done will be raked up. Anything your father and your grandfather has ever done will be brought up, too. If these people go back very far and the’ Darwinian theory of evolution is true, they might be surprised.”

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS’ PRAYING

Another story by Air Wright: Afany years ago the late Dr A. K., Newman fought a contest in Wellington. First it was announced lie was elected, then it was said he was defeated. Again he >vas placed at the head, only to be told he was not in. When the time cam© to return thanks, Dr Newman said, . “Well, I don’t know whether I’m in, or out yet. All I can do is to ask you to pray for me.” The next day 1 a parcel of ballot papers was found, and Dr ( Newman was elected beyond -doubt. l ' The following day he received a-letter from a wag, Avho enclosed an account for £1 4s. “Praying for you for' 24 hours at Isan hour,” explained the'Writer. “SNIPJNG IN AMBUSH.” •

A suggestion that the Leader of the Opposition, tho Rt Hon. J. G. Coates, wag “sniping at the United party firs ambush” wag made by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon E. A. Ransom, speaking at St. Mary’s Ohurcu Hall last week. Mr Coates, he said, was going round the country holding “semi-private, specially packed meetings,” from which the public, and often the Press, were excluded. The only report of any of the meetings had appeared in a Dannevirke paper, and in that Mr Coates attributed to Labour 'blame for the displeasing position of politics to-day. But who was displeased with the politics in New Zealand to-day? A Voice: I am! The Minister declared that the only ones who were displeased were these who were affected by tax and land supertax. “KEPT OUR PROMISES,”

“We have kept our promises, and kept them right up to the fullest possible limit,’’ Mr Ransom said. “Wo are not ashamed of them, and we are prepared to stand up to them today.” (Applause.) Mr Ransom said he was not present to speak on behalf of Mr .Donald, as he was capable of conducting his own campaign, but' to 'show the electors that the United party was worthy of their confidence. At tho general election, Mr Coates had said that political parties must be judgied not by promises but by performances, “We as a party are willing to be judged on the fulfilment of our promises during one short session.”