MR DAVID JONES INDIGNANT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19461, 7 November 1928, Page 10

MR DAVID JONES INDIGNANT.

CIRCULAR TO BARLEY GROWERS.

CONTINUANCE CANDIDATE ADVOCATED.

Addressing Sotithbfidge electors On Monday night, Mf David Jones, He* form candidate to* Mid-Cantetbury, gave some attention to the instigators of a circular distributed among the barley-growers of the electorate, urg* ing that the election of a member Of Parliament who was favourable to the Continuance cause ; oh the licensing question was tilbst important. The circular stated in part: "It must be patent to all that ttny representative who, during the last two sessions of Parliament, when the Licensing Bill Was before the iDouse, voted solidly with the Prohibition Party with the object of mftkftig the carrying of Prohibition an easier issue in New Zealand, Cannot be a friend td the barley-grower. , . .The matter is so vital to your livelihood that we would respectfully Solicit your Bupport towards any candidate Who will announce himself against the bare majority Vote on the licensing <}udstiohi (Signed) R. McClelland; George M&> Beam Jaa. Moorhead." "DO you think the people Whose names are at the bottom of that letter drew it upP" Mr Jones askeoV "You know they didn't. The word •Leestbn' is at the top of the letter, though none Of the three men who signed it live there. Everybody in this room knOWS where it somes from. Why doeiih t the man who put out the circular bftv| the courage to put his hhme tottP Wh} does Tie go skulking behind three other farmers to attack meP I sent an invitation by wire to the three mCn who signed the pamphlet, and to one other, to attend this meeting. Where are theyP ' »'',*. «« "After tWenty-five years' work m the interests of the farmers of this Country, they say, 'we would •ohcit ybtir s'ttppoft towards any member who will announce himself against the majority.' Any member? If a-China-man stands, you are asked to vote for him and not for me If a disloyalist stands, you are asked to vote for hup and not for me. Do the writers •of that letter think that the intelligence of the electorate is going to bow down before their god. J. don't think they are, and I don't think this meeting is." Five per cent, of the people did not seem to realise that the bare .majority, was law today, said Mr Jones. Half the people of New Zealand could Car"fy no-license. "Yet," said Mr Jones, "vou have the audacity 6f the COm* pfleW of that letter, who are affaia to come into *he daylight, asking yoii to oppose me." , , ' A questioner: Do you grow bafieyP Mr -Jone3: Yes.. The people of New Zealand decide the licensing qu€§ti6h. yet here isi a deliberate attack made upon me in the interests of another hiari. t detest tactics like that. I wofl before by honesty aftd fair play* and Will win again by the Bfcme m^ans."