GROWING LIVELY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19462, 8 November 1928, Page 10

GROWING LIVELY.

WAIfcARAPA CONTEST.

m wims tB-REAfsnrp with WRIT.

(mega AflaociA?io* *sti6fiut.) SJASTBRTON, NovembW 7, A new* development ih the for the Wairarapa seat Was disclosed at % Wharau on tfuesday evening whefo the Hon* Mir McLeod announced that he had received from hii opponent a telegram: threatening tp issue a writ for defamation, About fifty electors assombled at Te Wharau schoolroom to hear Mr McLebdj and as usual, the Be* form candidate had an excellent receps tlbn.

In opening his address Mr MtiLeod said that a new element had entered into the contest in that he was receiving daily telegrams from his o|« pbheht, Colonel McDonald Oh airivaj at Te Wharau he had received the toU lowing communication. ;

"The 'Age* report of your hjeeting at Brancepeth states you- called me a political opportunist because 1 offered my services to the Reform, Labour, Nationalist, and United Parties. That statement is a deliberate lie intended to injure me. Unless you, immediately publish in all papers circulating in the district a withdrawal and a full'japology, I shall immediately issue a writ for damages for defamation;" ''Well,'* said Mr MeLeea, "I don't think I can add anything to the statement made by me Sit Brancepeth on Monday night. My opponent's refer* ence about issuing a writ does not worry me in the slightest Apparently he considers that my statement to tbe effect that he has in the past offered his services to several political Parties constitutes, defamation of character. I have not been at the head of the Reform organisation for the past eight years without knowing all. those who hate offered themselves for selection as Reform candidates during that period. Colonel McDonald is at present standing for the United Party, and in 1922 he was a candidate in, the Lib-eral-Nationalist interests. So far aB the Labour Party is concerned I have the personal assurance of two of the most prominent sitting members of that Party that he has also offered his services as a candidate to that organisation in the intervening period. As an indication of his desire to obtain the support of that Party, he stated in reply to a question put to him at Morrison 'b Bush during the present campaign that he would support a no-confidence motion moved by Labour even If Sir Joseph Ward, as Leader of the United Partjr, voted with Mr Coates. The electors of this district kridw definitely where I stand politically, and it is just as well that they should know where my opponent stands."