RETRENCHMENT.

Press, Volume X, Issue 1142, 6 July 1866, Page 3

RETRENCHMENT.

.TO THE EDITOR OF THB " PBESB." Dear Sib, —Would you kindly oblige mc •by allowing mc to state through your paper, that a most unfair statement appeared in the " Lyttelton Times," of yesterday morning, no doubt, by its evident meanness, to influence the voters against my election for the Biccarton district. It appeared in the shape of an extra leader in that paper, and charged mc with coming forward as an enemy to retrenchment, and an advocate for an increase in the number of Government officials, &c. How any respectable paper could have allowed such a statement in its columns on the very day of the election, when it was impossible in time to refute it, I am at a loss to learn. For the benefit of those of the electors of Riccarton with whom I am unacquainted, I beg to tell them now, as I did on Monday last, the day of nomination (when the " Lyttelton Times" might have also learnt the facts), — " That lam a strong supporter of retrenchment, 'which has now become an absolute necessity during the present monetary depression ; and T hope to see a committee of the Provincial Council appointed to report thereon, and assist the Superintendent to carry out retrenchment in every branch of the Government service, and that without the least possible delay." I am, dear sir, yours truly, H. B. Johnstone. July 5, 1866.