A CANDIDATE ON SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 269, 13 November 1928, Page 8

A CANDIDATE ON SAMOA.

STATEMENT CHALLENGED.

Mr. F. R. Bentley, manager in Auckland for O. F. Nelson and Co., Ltd.> Samoa, writes:—

"At a meeting held last- night at the Parish Hall, Pevonport, presided over by the Mayor of Devonport, the Reform candidate, Mr. Alex. Harris, stated that in February last thousands' of Mr' Hollarid's pamphlet on the Samoan question, together with translations into the Samoan of speeches made by the Leader of the Opposition, were shipped 'through Nelson's office in Auckland' to Samoa by the Tofua. Mr. Harris, when challenged to produce proof, stated he would do so to-day, and hand it to the Mayor (Mr. Ernest Aldridge). As manager and sole person in charge of 6. F. Nelson and Company's branch in Auckland, I absolutely deny that any of Mr. Holland's pamphlets were dispatched through this office, other than a dozen or so posted in the usual way to firms and citizens interested. As for translations of Mγ. Holland's speeches into Samoan being jrintedin New Zealand and sent to Samoa, I have never heard of thie, or even seen a copy, beyond a statement in a propagandist pamphlet. If Mr. Harris, Mr. Coates, or any other person can produce a copy of these Samoan translations of Mr. Holland's speeches sent from here to Samoa, I will be pleased to pay £5 5/ to the Mayor's unemployment fund immediately on production.^