THE NOTORIOUS PAMPLET.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13908, 6 December 1910, Page 8

THE NOTORIOUS PAMPLET.

OPPOSITION'S ATTITUDE

Regarding the notorious pamphlet mentioned by the Prime Minister in the House and the suggestion that the Opposition Party was responsible for its publication, an incident that happened at the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Show on Peoplo's Day shows (says the Auckland "Herald") how little encouragement thc pamphlet finds in responsible quarters. A man was discovered to be reading the publication among the people on tho ground, and some members of the executive at once conferred, and decided to return the man his admittance money, and request him to leave the ground. This was done, and he left. It is well known that many of Mr Massey's personal friends are on the executive of the Auckland Agricultuial and Pastoral Association.

Mr Graves Aickin, who, as a vicepresident of the Political Reform League, was seen on the subject of-the Opposition Party's attitude, said:—"l have frequently refused to buy the pamphlet, because I consider it to be despicable tactics to attack the Prime Minister in this way. Such methods ar© wholly unworthy and contemptible, and it is hitting below the belt to resort to them. Great credit is due to Sir Joseph Ward for the achievement of 'living down* the wretched scandal, and keeping bright his reputation as a man and a Prune Minister. I have not heard of any member of the Opposition Party who has approved or attempted to justify the publication of the pamphlet. I must say that it is an infamous thing for any person to attempt to connect the Opposition Party with the publication of this scurrilous document. Tli© Opposition have had absolutely nothing whatever to do with it, and to attempt to identify that party with it is as unworthy an action as tlie issue of the pamphlet iteelf."