BOYCOTT AND INTIMIDATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1317, 21 December 1911, Page 4

BOYCOTT AND INTIMIDATION.

"Libebalism" in New Zealand has bccomo infamous through its use of a bad sort of boycott as a political weapon. But bad as has been the boycott of The Dominion and other journals unfavourable to Wardism, it is less disgraceful and anti-social than the new turn given to boycotting by the disappointed supporters of Ml":. Field in Otaki. We reprint to-day a paragraph from the Otaki Mail in which it is stated that "supporters of the successful candidate are being boycotted by certain ■ ardent supporters of the defeated man." The Mail goes on to make'a brief protest against "this intolerable spirit of narrow-minded-ness.''' Already we have received letters from various leading residents of Levin and Manakau, confirming the report mentioned by the Otaki paper, and giving particulars of the shape which tho boycott has taken. In Levin, in Manakau, and in Ohatt, and possibly in other places, supporters of Mil. Field, oo the days following the final poll, called upon various tradesmen suspected of having voted, or known to have voted, against the' Government nominee, and demanded their accounts, intimating at the same time their withdrawal of all future custom. 'From different and independent sources, all quite reputable and trustworthy, we have further assurances that at least one of the most prominent public men of Levin has lent himself to this anti-social, anti-Liberal and wholly abominable plan of boycott and intimidation. We are bound to add that one of our correspondents says that he "has no doubt Mit. Field would repudiate such action if he knew of it."

A good deal can be forgiven a beaten party, but this is a thing that cannot lie forgiven or condoned. If it came to retaliation, the friends of Wardism, in Otaki and in every other district, would suffer more severely than the friends of Reform; but we trust and believe that retaliation will not be necessary, even in Otaki, In their first agony of humiliation, the friends of Wardism may fly to the boycott as a way of vengeance, but upon cooler reflection they will perceive that they, have nothing to gain, but much io lose, by resenting defeat in this, antisocial and anti-Liberal manner. Our advice to the victims of the boycott in Otaki is to be ..patient, and to supply us with particulars of .the working of this outrageous scheme. Thev may rest assured that Reform sentiment has come to slay, that Wardism is scattered to the winds, and that the mean avengers of the .ruined party will not lis long in repenting of their foolish introduction of a political method that.never has succeeded anywhere, and that has bad to be paid for very heavily wherever it has been attempted. Mr. Field cannot possibly be held''responsible for the anger of his •supporters; but no doubt he will'see 'the wisdom of doing what lie can to check them in what looks very like an organised plan of terrorism, which is none the less detestable for being as fatuous as it is mean. That people calling themselves Liberals should resort, to such tactics is v piece of irony that we need not comment upon. Every honest man can supply his own comment.