THE RANGITIKEI SEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 34

THE RANGITIKEI SEAT.

SIX CANDIDATES.

MARTON, September 8. Tne following candidates have besn nominated for the Rangitikei seat : — F. F. Hockley (Opposition). George Hutchison (Opposition). W Meldrum (Government). R. E. Hornblow (Government and Labour). James Georgetti (Independent). R. W. Smith (Government and pledged to freehold). MR HUTCHISON'S WITHDRAWAL The W&nganui correepondemt of the Christchurch Press wired to xt on the 9th indt. : — " Prior to the commencement of the campaign for the Kangitikei seat v meeting of Opposition supporters favourable to Mr Hockly's candidature was held at Huntcrvill • Mr George Huiehis^y, attended that liKK i.;g by invitation, ami the prospects of the party were di&cussed. Mr Hutchison, though disinclined to waive his claim offhand, volunteered that if after goin-g through the electorate his inv-estiga- j tions satisfied him that the presence of two Reform party candidates in the field was j likely to imperil the- prospects of the party j winning- the scat he would «jrious!y con- J sider the matter with a view to adopting a course necessary to ensure an undivided voto. True to his promise, Ma - Hutchison, who returned to town this evening, has authorised the announcement of his decision to withdraw from the contest in Mr Hcekly's favour, so as to ensure that gentleman the full strength of the Opposition vote. This decision was conveyed to Mr Hoekly to-night in the following telegram: — 'Hoekly, Hiuiterville. — In accordance with my promise &t our Huntervill* 1 moeting, having in the meantime ascertained tho general feeling in the constituency, I have decided to re-tire in your favour, so as to ens-are Opposition victory. Hutchison ' "Mr Hutchison's^ action affords a splendid example of political patriotism, for only a deep sense of loyalty to party could have prompted him to take a 6tep so utterly opposed to the natural inclination of such a born fighter as he is. What the result, would have been had he persisted in his candidature it is impossible to say. but the excellent meetings he has had in every part, of the constituency, even in the Government strongholds along the Main Trunk line, justify the assumption that he would have scored heavily, and quite possibly fought his way into the second ballot. He has evidently realised that it was in his strength that the real danger to the party's interests lay — the danger of an equally-divided vote allowing th© Government forces to capture the seat. There is ev«ry indication' that he would have secured a majority at this end of tho electorate, and that he would* oertainly ha\o seriously split the vote at the other end, whence Mr Hoekly derives his (-tronerest support. '"'You may be sure,' said Mr Hutahison to a Chronicle reporter, ' that I do not, tako this stc-p lightly. I never yet retired from a contest, and nothing but a desire to ensure an Opposition victory would in-dur-<2 me to do so on this occasion. My retirement will, I think, enhance Mr Hock'ly's ehonoe of winning the seat, and in all probability ha will win it. I will certainly do all in my power to promote his victory.' "