THE MAJORITY QUESTION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 38, 21 March 1914, Page 8

THE MAJORITY QUESTION.

To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir,—l desire to refer to certain matters in two letters signed by Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., which appeared in your columns during my absence from the city. 1. Mr Isitt waited on me when the Mackenzie Government was being formed, and asked whether, if that Government brought down a Bill to reduce the majority for- -national prohibition to 45r55, I .would support it. I replied that if the measure ; were agreed to by the Cabinet every nfeinber ' would be bound to support it, • and X would do so. . '; _ 2. His request tliai ~ I would as a private member support it I refused, as I was personally pledged to threefifths. 3. His further request that at next election I would pledge myself to 55-45, I also refused, and merely promised my careful consideration. 4. I have no recollection of any interview with Mr Isitt aid Mr Laurenson on this matter. If such did take place, it could only have referred to the matter above in No. 1. ? 5. Seeing an announcement' in the Christchurch papers in Apr|l,l9l2, that I had agreed to vote for land support the 45-55, I at once publicly contradicted it in the newspapers. 6. Soon after I was Wellington by the Rev. J. Dawson/ secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, * and explained to liim the true position. He at once replied, "I thought there must be a mistake.' 1 7. At a meeting of the No-license Association of Avon at Linwood in June of last year, I refused to alter my position, being to three-fifths, and as to next election I declared I would state my position when. I became a candidate. . 8. Regarding ,Mr Isitt's letter to me of Mav 15, 1912, I did receive that letter, but regarded iteither as ar. forgery or an attempt to "make evidence' (as the lawyers say), or to entangle me in a correspondence. I therefore did not answer it. • ~ - ;v ' • ~ 9. I determined to await events, but Mr Isitt never spoke to me about it, nor asked for my reply. 10. I have discussed it with him this day, and now learn that it was written on behalf of the Prohibition Party, and was not a private letter, and that Mr M'Combs and company have the original. The public have seen the use made of it. 11. My answer is that I made no promise beyond that given in No. 1 above; that I have not in any way eliangod my views; and that at next election I shall stand as a supporter of the three-fifths majority for both national prohibition, local no-license and restoration in districts where prohibition has been in force. 12. I may add I do not think for one moment Mr Isitt would knowingly do me an injustice. I prefer to think that in his enthusiasm he has misunderstood our conversation, and that cunning and unscrupulous individuals, vhose doctrine is "to hell with pledges as well as agreements, " have used him in this matter. 13. The fact that I at once contradicted the report when it was published is proof positive of my position.— I am, etc., G. W. RUSSELL. Avonside, March 20, 1914.