THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2229, 29 June 1908, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

THE BAY OF PLENTY SEAT.

MR. AV. D. S. MACDONALD’S CANDIDATURE.

Since announcing liis intention to stand as tlio Government candidate for tlio Bay of Plenty electorate,"Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald has received a number of congratulatory telegrams from Rotorua and other parts of the electorate, and one from Sir Joseph Ward wishing him success. Speaking to a “Times” reporter on Saturday, Mr. MacDonald stated that he regarded his being.selected as a/ Government ‘nominee as a great honor, as although lie had been 26 years in tlio district lie had not previously taken any. active stand in party politics. Ho had always taken a keen interest in County affairs, and for some years bad been .a member of the Waiapu County Council and later of tho Cook County Council, and. could claim an intimate knowledge of a large part of the district. “I have not,” jio said, “been seeking, the position, but I have been urged;by many friends to allow myself to be nominated as a candidate. Eventually I promised that I would, contest-the seat if I got the Government nomination. Having made that promise, J intend to fulfill it, and to do my best to ensure election.” Referring to political opinions, Mr. MacDonald said that beyond that he would givo a general supixirt, lie was not pledged to tlio Government on specific measures. His great aim would be to secure the.roading and railing of the back-blocks, and the paying of greater attention to tho needs of tlio outlying settler. He was opposed to Socialism, but held that the working men’s case should have fair treatment. and their needs would always have liis close attention. He intend-. M starting out probably next week oil a tour of the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua districts, to meet the -people generally, but would not until a later stage address public meetings.