OFFICIAL AND INDEPENDENT REFORM CANDIDATES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3868, 8 November 1928, Page 3

OFFICIAL AND INDEPENDENT REFORM CANDIDATES.

LOYALTY TO PARTY OR INDIVIDUAL? A NORTHERN VIEW.

Wjhen proposing the health of the Prime Minister at a luncheon at Bulls yesterday, Mr. J. H. Perrett, of Sandon, a member of the Manawatu County Council and other bodies in the northern part of the electorate said: In the Manawatu electorate there were more candidates than required but it seemed the electors would have to put up with it. His own opinion was that there was nothing to worry about. Friends of Reform had nothing against Mr. Linklater. He had nothing to say against Mr. McManaway who had served on local bodies and rendered good service for the district. There was a suggestion ihat he would split the Reform vote but Mr. Perrett said he was not of that opinion. It was unfortunate, however, that Mr. McManaway was standing. “We have a good sound and honest administrator and we are satisfied,” said the speaker amidst applause. Those who were making a fuss had never voted Reform and would never do so. PARTY FIRST. The Prime Minister, referring to .he subject in his reply said that no one regretted more than he did, that in certain places splendid men were competing as Reform supporters. The effect must be to jeopardise the seat. He had never known a case where two Government supporters had fought it out and either won the seat. As a rule, the third man slipped in. The only thing to save the situation in Manawatu was the fact that there were two others in the field. There was no straighter man than Mr. Linklater; he would have nothing to do with any action that was shady. Mr. McManaway had been a very old supporter of the Party and a man who had won the respect and esteem of the Party supporters, not only in the district but amongst the leaders of the Party in Wellington. Mr. Massey had known his weight and the speaker also had felt’ it for many years past. It was unfortunate that two very excellent men were trying to do the right thing yet the one was interfering with the other. Mr. Linklater had been member for the district for six years and one did not expect to find a man giving way after that length of service. All he could do personally was to emphasise that if an elector was a party supporter, then he should sacrifice likes and dislikes for the party. VOTE LINKLATER.

Again reverting to the two candij dates at the Prime Minister paid a tribute to Mr. MeManaivay’s support of the Party, “but,” he said, “Mr Linklater has represented the district very well and deserves continued support. (Applause). If you. are good party supporters, there is one thing for you to do and that is support Linklater and make Manawatu a certain Government seat.” (Applause). In his speech at Levin last night the Prime Minister said: “Mr. Linklater has a prior claim insofar as he has represented the district for six years, and therefore can claim an extension of that confidence.

“The people of the district must remember that if they want a Reform member to represent them in Parliament, they should make certain that the splitting of votes does not defeat the Reform candidate.”