A QUESTION AND AN ANSWER

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 45, 21 February 1918, Page 8

A QUESTION AND AN ANSWER

TO IHE EDITOR.

Sir,—l attended Mr. Holland's meeting at Kelburn last evening, and during his speech he emphasised that he was contesting this election without descending to bitter personalities, and called on the other contestants to do likewise. This "3ermon on the mount" of Kelburn lulled me into a false sense of security, and, wishing to find out the truth of the rumour "that he personally would not sing 'God Save the King,'" asked him that question. In replying, he made use of the old "red herring" by attacking me personally. He inferred that I was one of those who stood several thousand miles behind the guns, etc., and lustily sung the National Anthem whilst others fought. When I wished to reply to this attack, the chairman ruled me out of order—apparently, the sort cf "justice" Mr. Holland's followers mete out to opponents. I have been married ten years, support a wife, partly support a mother-in-law, also partly support an ; aged father and mother left on a 'farm in New South Wales, whose only unmarried son has gone to war. I am a believer in conscription, and have taken the oath to serve in this war and go into camp on 3rd April, 1918. Mr. Holland and his followers say they believe in the voluntary method. Now ; a man should live !up to his beliefs. I would remind the candidate that denunciation and ridicule are not argument, and that as he asks for a fair hearing in this contest, he should also accord fair treatment to his questioners. Possibly he will make the "amende honourable."—l am, etc., J.C.B.

21st February