MR VEITCH’S POSITION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3459, 26 February 1912, Page 5

MR VEITCH’S POSITION

TO VOTE FOR MR. MASSEY. A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING WITH HIS SUPPORTERS. [per press association..] WANGANUI, Feb. 25. The Chronicle learns from an authoritative source that the. rumor that Mr. Veitch, M.P-, is likely to break his election pledges is quite unfoundedMr. Veitch returned to Wanganui on Saturday especially tio meet his committee. He arrived bv the 9 p.m. train and proceeded at once to the meeting, which was largely attended. The Chronicle understands that interest in the meeting was enhanced by the fact that during the forenoon the chairman of Mr. Veitch’s committee received a telegram from a member of the War ganui Labor Party, at present in Wellington, strongly urging . that Mr. Veitch be given a. free hand with regard to the no-confidence amendment now before the House. This was interpreted to mean that Mr. Veitch should be freed hoi vote for instead of against the Ward Administration, and prominent members of his committee received the suggestion with unqualified disapproval. So far as they were concerned, they said, there was to be no breaking of pledges, and they did not believe for a moment that Mr. Veitch. himself would think of going back on liis wordSteps were taken to ensure a large attendance at last' night’s meeting. The proceedings were not open to the press, but the Chronicle is informed that the greatest unanimity prevailed, and that Mr- Veitch made‘it clear that had no intention of breaking his pledges, and that the meeting terminated with the clear and unanimous understanding that he would vote for Mr Massey’s amendment to the Address-in-Reply, and that once that vote had been given he should be free to vote as he considered best on any other question that might arise.