POLITICAL PILOTS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 May 1914, Page 3

POLITICAL PILOTS

Reed v. Wilkinson. As the outcome of the meeting of the Reform League branch held at Ohaeawai, to decide the fate of Messrs Reed, M.P., and' Geo. Wilkinson, we learn that the deliberations of the Conference were of a private nature, but it is understood that the present position of the Reform party in the Bay of Islands electorate was discussed at length, and at times in a somewhat acrimonious way. In view of the somewhat peculiar position in which the delegates found themselves, it was finally decided that no definite choice of a Reform party should be made in the meantime. A Denial of Tactics. A statement regarding his position in relation to the political parties was made by Mr J. G. Coates, M.P. for Kaipara, in the course of a sohrt speech at the Prime Minister's meeting at Maungaturoto on Friday night.Mt Coates denied that he had pledged himself to support the Opposition Party for 12 months, as had been stated. He was pledged to support certain principles, including Civil Service and native land reform and the' freehold. He had kept his pledge to support the Opposition for the first / session, but he was not pledged to support the Mackenzie Government, and he was accordingly free to vote against it. ,* Dunedan South. Mr T. H. Dalton has been selected as the Reform party's candidate for the Dunedin South seat at the general election. This is the seat held by Mr Sidey. * * * A "Go" atTaranaki. i Those members of the Liberal' party who have been carrying out an active platform campaign during the past month will keep up the pace, attention being paid to the southern portion of the North Island. The speakers are to be Messrs G. W. Russell, M.P. for Avon, L. M. Isitt, M.P. for Christchurch North, Geo. Forbes, M.P. for Hurunui, H. Atmore, M.P. for Nelson, and probably J. C. Thomson, M.P. for Wallace. Dr Buck and Buckeys Dr Buck (Te Rangihiroa), M.P. has definitely announced that he will not again stand for the Northern Maori seat. A movement is on foot with a view to inducing him to become a candidate for the Bay of Islands (European) electorate. Reject coining to' Light. Mr C. H. Poole, ex-M.P, has definitely announced that he has decided to be a candidate for Auckland City West. ■'.- # * The Egmont Seat. Efforts are being made to rouse interest in the Egmont electorate (states the Eltham "Argus"). Pressure is being brought to bear upon Mr B. Dive to induce him to offer his services to the Egmont electorate, He has also had considerable inducement afforded him to contest the Patea seat. Mr Dive was turned down by the " Reformers" at the Egmont by-election in favour of Mr Wilkinson. It will be an interesting situation if he decides to stand. ,< Professor Hugo's Opinion Writing to a Southland paper MrO. E. Hugo, of Eltham (3Sf.l\ says:-Public opinion is fickle; but no one would have conceived that it could change so quickly in favour of Sir Joseph Ward as it has during the last four months through the North Island, and the probability is that he may go back again with a small majority. Which ever side goes in will not have a big majority, i