BAY OF ISLANDS ELECTION

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 19 June 1914, Page 4

BAY OF ISLANDS ELECTION

As the Echo before stated, the political escapade of the present Member of Parliament for the Bay of Islands seat and the result of next election, owing to conflicting circumstances in choosing candidates by btfth parties, is a big advertisement for its large and scattered district, but the newspaper readiug attached to the situation and Mr Vernon Reed, M.P., are beginning to pall on the nerves of the public. Yet one cannot help reading through the lines.. Every country " exchange " paper we open there is to be found a par or two—some of them pretty rough ones—on the mess Mr Reed has made of his political career. Thus Auckland " Truth. " on the subject:

. Vernon Eeed, M.P. for Bay of Islands, was returned la3t election as a Liberal and supporter of Sir J. Ward.* He voted for Ward when Massey moved his vote of no-confidence, but' when political events temporary saving of the sisuation by the now dead Speaker's casting- vote) led to Sirjoe's abdication, and the setting up of the stop-gap Mackenzie Government, Eeed, the Liberal, was one of the first 10 give the sign that he was wobbling, and his was one of the votes which permittted the " Square Deal " baton to be served out. Being a Liberal, elected over one Wilkinson a Reformer, now that (he elections are looming, Reed is in queer strnet, politically. The Reformers in the electorate regard. Reed, as a " rat " and as he " ratted " on those Liberals who elected him, the Reformers aren't quite certain that Reed will not " rat" on them, and they are not taking any chances. Consequently, the Reformers have decided to disown Reed, and run Wilkinson, and Reed, just now, is in the position of being kicked good and hard. What course he will adopt now it is hard to say. He is a Liberal traitor, and is disowned by those he sought to serve, and those he ought to serve do not seem dis« posed to touch him with a pitchfork. What will Reed do? Will he back down and cry " enough "? Will he rush along and contest the seat which he has dishonoured, politically soeak- !?!' tf n» fight a£aiust all-comers? Iruth" cannot advise him, but it" seems clear that the Liberals of the Hay of Islands electorate can, next Novembei or December, count on being represented in Parliament by a -Liberal and not by a " rat."