THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4447, 31 July 1922, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

REFORM CANDIDATE FOR OH’INEMURiI. COLONEL S. S. ALLEN CONSENTS TO STAND. Lieut.-Cotonel Allen, C.M.G., D S 0., of Morrinsville, acceded to the request of a large and influential deputation, representing all parts of the Ohinemuri electorate, which waited on him in Morrinsville on Friday, to consent to allow himself to be nominated as the Reform candidate for the Ohinemuri electorate at the forthcoming Parliamentary election. The deputation comprised the following : Messrs F. W. Walters (Waitoa). chairman of the Pinko County Council). Morgan (Wailii), Bossans and Arthur (Te Aroha), G. Wilson and Towers (Paeroa), J- Reid (Netherton). A. Noble and E. C. Pilkington (Taubei). J. F. Reeve .and J. M. Ferriday (Mangateparu), J. M, Stewait (Tahuna), J. D. Mackay (Waihou), W. Aitkin (Kereone), J. E. Leeson, J. Truss, and R. J. Seales (Morrinsville) Apologies were received from Messrs. W. J. Byrne (Paeroa), S. Walmsley (Waihi), and Dr. G. Short (Waihi). Mrs S. S. A'lel i was also presept. Mr. Walters, who introduced the members of the deputation, isaid that all those present, were prepared io work in the interests cf Colonel Alien’s candidature if he would consent to stand. The speaker felt that in Colonel Allen the electors would have :t member who would faithfully represent them in the House of Pafialment. Mr Walters said he had never been a party man until the time' of the strike. Since then he ■had felt that the best party for the country was the Reform party, and he was prepared to do hrs best to further Coloi el Alien’s candidature. Mr. Walters said that many communications had been received from people who could not attend that day, and all were strongly in favour of asking Colonel Allen to submit to nomination.

Mr. Pilkington said that when he was asked if he would form one of the deputation he was impressed by the fact that those who inquired took it for granted that he would support Colonel Alien's candidature. Candidly speaking, he could find no one who could worthily .represent, (he electorate until Colonel Alien’s name was mentioned, and then he came to the conclusion that a more fit and proper candidate could not be ound. Colonel Alien’s close association with the primary industries of the Dominion, upon which, after ail, the prosperity of the Dominion was based, placed him in an advantageous position to represent the electors. His knowledge of the kindred industries would help him to represent the people with that degree of impartiality which was so essential in a member of Parliament. Mr Pilkington remarked that there was a great deal of unrest and a general desire for change. Colonel Allen was one who had a stable mind. He would not lend himself; to every fickle change that took place. The aftermath of. the war had been responsible for a great deal of unrest. Colonel Allen was a man of strong moral courage and stable mind who would pursue the even tenor of his way and would be a powerful factor in bringing the country out of the state of chaos and unrest by his assistance to the administration of the country. With his education Colonel Allen would uinderstand the importance o r the mining industry, in whicn many of the electors were engaged. Mr Pilkington concluded by saying that i.he electors could repose every confidence In Colonel Allen Jp the knowledge that he would be an important help in the administration of the country. Mr Noble said it gave him great pleasure to be one of* the deputation. He had known Colonel Aden for a great number of years, and he regarded hint as an ideal! citizen. He heartily endorsed what had already been said by previous speakers, t

Mr. Reid said Netherton used to be one of the strongholds of the Reform party, and Colonel Allen could rest assured that he would receive a great deal of support from that part of. the electorate.

Mr Mackay said there was great rejoicing in the camp al. Waihou when Colonel Allen’s name was mentioned as a possible candidate for the Ohinemuni seat. It was difficult to guarantee Colonel Alien a plump vote, but the speaker was confident the candidate would receive loyal and faithful support from the district he came from.

Mr Morgan said it gave him great pleasure to be present to voice the feelings of a large number o?. people in Waihi. At Waihi there were many working-class electors. These electors were not getting satisfaction from the Liberal-Laboui* member who now i>eld the seat. The Reform supporters had received a flew knocks in the past at Waihi, but as the result of inquiries that he had made lately he was confident, there would ty? strong support for a Reform candidate like Colonel AUen at Wa.hi during the next election. The late .night at Waihi had prevented a number eg business men from joining the deputation that day. The speaker assured Colonel Allen that he would find many loyal supporters at Waihi.

Mr Wilson, speaking for many Paeroa residents, assured Colonel AUen of widespread support. Mr Stewart said at the last election the Reform candidate received a large measure of support at Tahuna, and as Colonel Allen was far better known than Mr Clark was, .hie felt sure Colonel Alien’s candidature would be very successful at Tahuna. Mr Reeve said Colonel Allen would undoubtedly receive many votes front Mangateparu and Tahuna road. Messrs Seales and Truss bespoke for Colonel Allen a large measure of support from those parts of the Ohinemuri electorate surrounding Morrinsville.

Mr Leeson said ;he had known Colonel Allen ever since he came to Morrinsville fresh from college almost. It had been said that a prophet had no honour <fn his own country, but he considered that Colonel Allen would receive a considerable amount

of honour and support if he would consent to stand.. Colonel Allen did not shirk his duty in the Great, War, in which he and bis family had distinguished themselves. Mr Leeson pointed out that in consenting to stand as a candidate he would make considerable sacrifices, but he felt sure that Colonel Allen would not shirk his duty on this occasion. Many questions required settling at the present time, and men of Colonel Allen’s calibre were required to help in settling these matters. Mr Aitken said he had known Colonel Allen for many years, and he did not think a better man cotfld be chosen as a candidate.

Messrs Arthur and Bossans spoke in favour of Colonel Allen’s Candida,ture on behalf of electors living in the vicinity of Te Aroha.

Mr Ferriday said he felt he coull speak for the whole-hearted support of the Mangateparu settlers, many of whom had fought under Colonel Allen ami knew his worth. He believed the Mangateparu settlers would vote for Colonel Allen to a man. He did not think a better ab'le or more fitted man could be chosen as candidate, and he hoped Colonel Allen would accede to the deputation’s request. Mr Walters reiterated his belief l that Colonel Allen would poll heavily if he consented to stand. He considered the Reform party was the only party for the country at the present, time, and would be for many years yet. (Hear, liear.) Colonel Allen expressed his keen gratification at seeing so many present that day. He was particularly gratified to see so many old friends. He felt keenly the kindness wihich had been shown towards him by the members of the deputation. He said that the deputation had not taken him altogether by surprise, because Sir William Herries had been writing and speaking to him on the question for seme time past, and he rathen expected that something of the sort would occur. He had bad time to consider the matter and to make up his mind as to what he would do" if a deputation should wait on' him. Colonel Allen said he would not conceal the (act that the fighting of hn election would entail a considerable amount of sacrifice and inconvenience and would take up ,a good deatl of time. He had discussed the matter with Mrs Allen, fon he was afraid the inconvenience would be felt a good deal more by her than by himself, for the work o f - fighting an election would mean that he would be a good deal away from home. Mrs Allen had giver, her consent. (Applause.) Proceeding, Colonel AUen said : “Gentlemen. I shall be very pleased to stand.” (Applause.) “In standing I stand as a straigh-out supporter of Mr Massey and the Reform party. I feel that the Reform party is the only party to whom we can look to carry out the business of the country at the present day on sound and stable lines. Mr Massey is an outstanding man and a statesman, the only statesman we have in New Zealand at the present time.” Colonel Allen said hi? •supporters would probably have caus? for dissatisfaction with him, but he asked them not to blame him, but :.o blame Mr Mackay, who had first suggested the proposal to him, (Laughter.) Colonel AUen thanked the members of the deputation very much indeed for the confidence they had shown in him. “I will fight to he best of my ability, and I think we shall win,” he concluded, amid apifiausc. Cheers were given for Colonel and Mrs Allen, and at the close Mr T. L’sle, official organiser ofj the Reform party, congratulated Colonel Allen on his acceptance of the nomination, ■which he felt sure Mr Massey would learn with pleasure. He reminded the deputation that the next contest would be between Labour and the Reform party, and he urged Colonel Allen’s supporters to give him all the ■help they could tp secure the return of a candidate who possessed such eminently necessary qualifications as did Colonel Alien. He urged supporters to organise committees in their respective districts, to see that every supporter’s name was on the roll, and to see that every supporter voted at the election. Concluding, he reminded them that “unity is strength/’ A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Walters for the assistance he had given.