MR G. W. RUSSELL AND THE RICCARTON ELECTORATE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8478, 9 May 1893, Page 2

MR G. W. RUSSELL AND THE RICCARTON ELECTORATE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE KUCSS. Sir,—ls it true the Government; have notified the Liberal Association that they expect a defeat when Parliament meete ? It looks very much like it, or why ail this haste in notifying the electors that Mr G. W. Russell will be a candidate. As to the requisition stated to be signed by a large number of the electors, I challenge Mr G. W. R. to publish the list. The so-called organiser called on an elector and asked him to sicn the requisition, and when he declined to do so the organiser said, "0, you need not vote for him, although you sign the requisition. ,. Now I ask is this an Tionest way of securing signatures to a requisition ? Now I do not think we ehall have a dissolution, and for this reason, seeing we are so near the end of the present Parliament. Then why all this indiscreet haste on the part of the Liberal Association and Mr G. W. R., particularly when the Association had appointed delegates to a conference for the purpose of selecting candidates ? Does the Association think by using such tactics they are helping Mr G. W. R., and that he will have a walk over? No, they are by their action destroying any chance he may have had, for should the Unions bring out a man, which they will do, Mr G. W. R. will have to stand on one side, as he did at the last general election, when they brought out Mr Tanner for the Heathcote. It is a well known fact that on a certain deputation waiting upon the Hon. W. P. Reeves, Mr G. W. R. received orders to stand aside, and, like an obedient servant, he did so, »nd so he will this time, or the Liberal camp will fall into the hands of its enemies, and who will be to blame but the Liberals, so called ? I call them anti-Tories. I ask my fellow-electors not to pledge themselves till they see who is coming torward, and whether the present aspirant will be a better man than the Hon. W. Rolleaton.— Yours, &.C., W. H. Whitino. Riccarton, May Bth, 1893.