A POLITICAL TRICK.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16700, 8 December 1919, Page 8

A POLITICAL TRICK.

ATTEMPT TO INJURE REFORM PARTY.

SHARP REPLY BY MR MASSEY.

Ilnring heard a rumour that Mr If. M. Jones. Democratic Liberal candidate for tho Ashburton electorate, had received an offer front the Protestant Political Association to induce him to retire from tho present contest, a "Guardian" reporter interviewed Mr Jones on Saturday and asked him whrther tho statement was correct.

Mr Jones replied in the affirmative, ami stated that ho had been to uuiro in favour of the Hon. W. Noswortliv. JIo added that two weeks ago the Rev. Howard Klliott came to liitn and stated he had an offer to make on behalf of the Executive at Christchurch of the Protestant Political Association. Tho interview took place in Mr Jones's drawing-room. . As near as Mr Jones could recollect the Rev. Howard Elliott's words were as follow:—

**lf vnu withdraw in favour of Mr Nosworthy. yo.ir oxpenses will be paid to date. and your name will bo favourably considered aril will lu> forwarded for a seat in the I'pper House.'' Mr Janes s::ill ho replied that tho offer (lid not appeal to him. Commenting to the "Guardian" reporter. Mr Jones said lie considered the offer an insult, and lie had no intention of withdrawing in favour of Mr X osworthv. and lie wondered who was rcsponsiblo for these easy entrances "inro the Upper House. Ho would have more to sav in regard to this matter at an early date. .MR MASSET'S RKPLY. Tho main facts piven above formed tho subject of a Press Association message, which was sent throi gliout New Zealand. Mr Massey's reply is contained in tho following message which was received last night from tho Auckland agent of the Press Association:— l»cfnrrin£ to tho Press Association message from Ashburton yesterday, regarding a statement said to have hern made bv Mr H. M. .Tones to tho cffect that tho Rev. Howard Klliott had asked him to withdraw from the contest. etc.. tho Prime Minister said:— "I bo.lievo tho Ashburt-on incident referred to in tjie Press Association mcsspßo to bo a political trick, such as we have had experience of in previous elect inns in New Zealand. However, orte tiling is quite certain; I havo never been consulted, dircctlv or indirectly, about the matter, nor would I allow such a procccdinc. The suggestion is, to my mind, absurd on tho face of it. "It is stated in the telerrram that Mr Jones is a Democratic Liberal candidnto. nrd this beinrr tho case. I canno* understand liis withdrawal bo ; ng in any way likely to benefit the Rof elm candidate, although for genuino Liberalism tho latter is probably ahead of tho other two candidates. "I bono tho matter will be thoroughly sifted and the blame placed on the right shoulders. If T can assist in anv way I shall be very "lad to do so. Electors fhrouphout tlio Dominion who are working with me are out on our side for a straight, clean contest. al>solutclv free from improper methods or sharp practice in nny way whatever."