A POLITICAL ISHMAEL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2060, 27 November 1919, Page 2

A POLITICAL ISHMAEL.

MR. PIRANI ASKED TO STAND DOWN. Mr Fred. Pirani is up against it good and. hard in Wellington Central. Extreme Labour is “putting the boot in” at his meetings, and now he has (ho mortification of seeing (hose who should lie his strongest supporters turning him down. At a representative meeting of Im-i- - in Wellington Central .yesterday, it was agreed that Air Pirani had no chance of winning; the seat against Mr Fra.-er. , Air S. Ilislop .-aid it appeared to be absolutely e-sential they should have business interests represented, and that (hey should have a strong, reliable, trustworthy man to stand up against the influences that at present dominated in MoUiuglou Central.' Such a man they thought they had in'Mr Matthew Carr, President of the Chamber of Commerce, who,'he thought,' would ably re pro--enl the business circles of W eliinglon Central. He moved that Mr Carr he asked to stand as ah Independent candidate for Wellington Central, and that all business circles be asked to aid him, in bis can-

didature. Mr A. F. Mabin said they had a right to desire that Wellington Central should be represented by someone of whom (lie constituency might lie proud. However, they had no desire to go into the contest if there was to be any splitting of votes, and he supposed that some steps would be taken to see that Mr Pirani would stand down in favour of Mr Carr.

Mr Carr, in response, said there ■were certain conditions connected with his acceptance of the offer made to'assist him in the campaign. He mast have a straight, clear, run. If it was, going to he a triangular contest between the Labour member (Mr Fraser), Mr. Piraiii, and himself, he was not inclined to contest the seat, because he believed the conflicting interests would he such dial the Labour candidate would he elected. On the other hand, he had everv confidence that in a clean, **’ . . straight run, he would win. if they they could get Mr Pirani to retire, he would accept the request of the meeting.

The following were constituted a committee. With power to add to sheir number, to approach Mr Pirani’s commit lee on the subject : Messrs A. F. Mubin; T. Ballinger, S.

Campbell, A. .Jacobs, T. Inglis, L. Morrison, Cuthbcrlson, AV. 11. Doughty, A. 1L Hislop, John Myers, and S. liisiop. When informed of the decision of this meeting, and asked as to his altitude on the .matter. Mr Pirnni slated to a Post representative that he had entered he eonest with (ho intention of seeing if through. He was by no means disheartened because a certain noisy section was endeavouring to howl him down. He had received most encouraging promises of support, and believed that the great majority id.' the electors in Wellington Central strongly disapproved the action of his extremist opponents, and would show their disapproval in due course. “1 see no reason why 1 should sta.nd down, and I shall decline to do so for anyone,” added Mr Pirani.