MANAWATU ELECTORATE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1039, 5 September 1911, Page 4

MANAWATU ELECTORATE.

SELECTING A CANDIDATE

MR. STEVENS ASKS MR MELDRUM TO STAND.

LIBERAL MEETING APPROVES OF CANDIDATE.

A meeting of the Liberal Association nnd representatives of the Liberal Party in the Manawatu electorate was held at Marion on Saturday, Mr Edward Read was voted to the chair. Electors from Mangaweka, Ohiugaili, Maugaonoho, Rata, Hunterville, Upper Tutaeuui, on the north, and trom Parewanui, Bulls, Sandon, and Ohakea on the south, were present tor the purpose of selecting a Lioerai candidate to contest the Manawatu seat at tne ensuing election.

The names of Messrs John Stevens and William Meldrum were proposed at the meeting. After a short discussion, Mr John Stevens pointed out that owing to the very great alterations in the boundaries, and considering also that Mr Meldrum had quite recently contested the Rangrtikei by-election, a large portion of that

I electorate being now included in ] the Manawatu electorate, including Hunterville and Mangaweka and surrounding country, where Mr Meldrum polled a very large majority, he considered that gentleman had a better chance of winning the seat than he himself had. As the matter was not a personal one, but one of very great public interest, his only desire was to have the Manawatu seat regained for the Liberal Party, and he therefore gladly and without reservation asked the meeting to support Mr Meldrum’s candidature, as he (Mr Stevens) did not wish to accept the responsibility of contesting the seat feeling that Mr Meldrum had a prior claim and an equal, if not better, chance of winning. Mr John Johnstone, of Willowbrook, seconded Mr Stevens’ motion that Mr Meldrum be the Liberal candidate at the ensuing election. Mr A. McDonnell, Parewanui, stated that he had always supported Mr Stevens, and he was going to continue to do so by supporting Mr Meldrum. Mr D. Fraser, Parewanui, said that Mr Stevens’ action was commendable. He also supported the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr J. A. Bailey, Ohakea, speaking subsequently, said that thanks were due to Mr Steventfor his action and that his supporting Mr Meldrum would be no small consideration. Mr A’Court, Sanson, stated he would support Mr Wm. Meldrum as he had supported Mr Stevens. Mr J. Georgetti, Mangaweka, said that Mr Stevens’ action would go a long way towards securing Mr Meldrum’s return. Mr Waters, Marion, endorsed previous views. Mr Cole, Hunterville. said that he thought it was due to Mr Stevens to allow the announcement of Mr Meldrum’s candidature to come from Mr Stevens. Mr H, A. Martin, Hunterville, said that Mr Stevens’ maguamiuity in retiring in favour of Mr Meldrum would give Mr Meldrum a very rosy chance of election, and Mr Stevens deserved the thanks of every elector for his graceful and magnanimous action in withdrawing from the contest and extending all the possible mead ot support he could to the other Liberal candidate. Mr J. E. Walker, Bulls, said it was very gratifying that a unanimous decision had been come to, and that Mr Stevens had decided the matter as he had. Mr W. Meldrum expressed his high appreciation of the stand taken by Mr Stevens. He had been quite willing to see Mr Stevens contest the seat, and admired the fighting spirit of the veteran. He had been one of the foremost fighting Liberals in New Zealand, one of the most loyal and true hearted Liberals in the House, and it was an honour to the Rangi* tikei and Manawatu electorates. He had set an example that was worthy of being placed on record as an example for true Liberals when opportunity arose to take such a splendid stand. He thanked Mr Stevens and the meeting for the confidence they had reposed in him, and stated that nothing would be wanted on his part to regain the seat for the Liberal Party, which he firmly believed it was possible to do. It was resolved by the meeting that at some early date in the following week committees should be formed for the purpose of promoting Mr Meldrum’s candidature. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Stevens. A vote of thanks to the chairman (Mr Edward Read) for his past long and faithful services to the Liberal Party concluded the meeting.—M. D. Times.