EGMONT BY-ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 82, 23 August 1912, Page 4

EGMONT BY-ELECTION.

MR DIVE WITHDRAWS. | A large meeting of the memb*re of the Rieform League and supporters ol 1 the Reform party was held in the Town I Hall, Eltham, on Wednesday. The meeting was very representative, members. lOfthe League and supporters of th* party being in attendance from many parts of the Egmont electorate. Mr <). T. Quin president of the local branch of the League, occupied the chair. The Reform Organiser, who was present, explained the objects of the meeting, and in the course of his remarks said that a misunderstanding had unfortunately arisen in connection with 'the candidature of Messrs Dive and Wilkinson for the Egmont seat at the pending election. He went on to state hew tho j party would be embarrassed if the two gentlemen named went to the poll, and I explained how the misunderstanding had occurred, and hoped that no matter who. contested the seat in the interests of the party, those present would *tand loyal and secure the seat by returning the Government candidate.

Mr. Wilkinson pointed out that Mr. Lindegreen, the Government organiser, had made the position clear, so that his (Mr. Lindegreen's) action might be justified in the matter. He went on to explain that he had had no id>a Mr. Div« would be one of those he would have to meet in the contest; and so that there should be'no split in the partyvote, he had determined that he would not go to the poll if Mr. Dive d«cided to go on. He had no desire to embarrass the party, and handed the ehttirmanthe following letter:—Chairman Reform League, Eltham.—Dear Sir,—Oi* the occasion of the first by-election to be held after the initiation of the Reform Party's Government, it would have-». in my humble opinion, an exceedingly bad effect not only in the Egmont electorate, but' perhaps throughout the whols of the Dominion—if the electionpending were to be fought by two candidates, both professing to represent that party. ' As you are aware, at a* meeting held on the 17th inst. I made many proposals to Mr. Dive with regard' to the possibility of a settlement of differences. These suggestions were unfortunately not availed of in a'ny way; and there now remains only one course of conduct for either Mr. Dive or myself to pursue—i.e., for one of us to entirely withdraw from the contest in favor 'of the other. Now, in order to : avoid any split in the party, and with the view of consolidating our forces so that a united front may he presented to. our opponents should they decide to run \ a candidate at the forthcoming election, I respectfully bieg to withdraw from thecontest.—Yours faithfully, C. A. WilLkinson. Eltham, 2lst August, 1912. 1' In reply, Mr. Dive stated that he J wished to make a few remarks, and he would then hand in a letter to the '• chairman of the Reform Leaguie, which he trusted would straighten out tho tangle. Briefly, they were as follows: He exonerated Mr. 'Wilkinson from any trouble that had arisen, and hearing that the latter,had decided to withdraw from the contest in the event of ther« being two candidates contesting the seat in the interests of the Reform Party, he had, after serious consideration, I deemed that it was his duty also to [ make a sacrifice as a small compensation for the many considerations he had received at his (Mr. Wilkinson's) bands. Finally, he stated in reply to ttateiwents made that he (Mr. Dive) had been asked definitely from an authoritative source as to whether he would stand or j not, that 'this was incorrect. . He had much pleasure in handing in the following letter:— The Chairman,. Reform League, Eltham.—Dear Sir.—Hearing that Mr. Wilkinson had decided to withdraw from the contest in the Egmont by-election I wish to state that I fully recognise that he has done so, not only in th« interests of the Reform Party, but also out of generosity to myself, and which i fifllvAppreciate. 'Further, I wifli.to .notify von that after serious consideration of the position I have decided t» withdraw from the contest, and in doing so suggest that vou will again respectfully -ask Mr. Wilkinson to offer himself as a candidate. In any case, whoever the candidate might be, I respectfully ask" that all my loyal supporters wjll ar~. cord the same loyal support.to .the candidate as I will "give. Tn conclusion, I desire to tender my sincere thanks to the party for their hearty and loyal support in two strenuous contests,—! am, tours faithfully, B. Dive. Bttham, 21st 'August, 1912. After this letter had been read, Mr.. C. A. Wilkinson was nominated to eontest the seat in the interests of the Rieform Party, and on risins to thank those present" for the. nomination he wat greeted with great applause. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Dive for his action in the matter. The meeting then closed. ELECTION ABOUT SEPTEMBER 20; Wellington, Thursday. It is expected that the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie will hand in his resignation to-morrow. If, when the Speaker announces the receipt of the resignation,. the House orders immediate issue of th« writ, the Speaker -will give instructionsaccordingly, and the election may be expected to take place on or before th* 20th of next month.—Eltham Argus.