EDEN SEAT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 26 March 1926, Page 11

EDEN SEAT.

REFORM CAMPAIGN. AUCKLAND, March 24. Great interest centres in the Eden by-election, in which the official • Reform candidate. Sir James Gunson, opened his campaign to-night. Tlio Reform Party is leaving no stone unturned in its determination to retain the seat, in spito of the fact that Miss Ellen Melville, one of the disgrunted aspirants for the Party’s favour, is also going to the poll. The chairmen who presided at the district meeting's of electors to appoint delegates to the conference which ultimately chose Sir James Gunson have all made sworn statements to the effect that the proceedings■-wero i regular, and were conducted in a’ proper and impartial manner. The Reform Party publishes these statements, together with a resume of the situation, in today’s “Herald,” to the extent of three and a half columns. Miss Melville had a- lively meeting last night at Mount Albert, when she expounded her grievances for the second time. The audience . rather out of hand in the latter stages of the meeting, and there was much good-hum-oured noise and chaff before it closed. Miss Melville’s address was similar to that delivered by her at Avondale. Soino of her remarks were challenged by people in the' audience, especially when she referred to the conduct of the preliminary selection meetings. She reiterated that “plumping” had been unfairly prohibited, and had materially affected the personnel of the delegation. In response to cries of “Where?” Miss Melville said that “plumping” had been prohibited at the Mount Allert meeting. A man in the audience then rose and ■ declared that the question whether, “plumping” should be allowed had been put to the meeting. Aliss Melville: That has nothing to do with it. It was the organiser, and not the chairman, who directed it. Re. ferring to tlm deputation of women which had asked her to withdraw, Miss Melville said that the members were tools in the hands of a person who was trying to influence her. The 'Labour candidate (Mr IT. G. Mason) has started organising and will have the Auckland Labour members as chairmen at all his meetings.