ELECTION TACTICS

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 139, 15 June 1922, Page 8

ELECTION TACTICS

MR. MASSEY'S REPUDIATION

"THAT IS ALL THERE IS IN IT."

A paragraph appeared in last night's Evening Post giving an extract from a speech "made by Mr. W. Begg, who is contesting the Dunedin North seat in the Liberal interest. The statements made by Mr. Begg are capable of the most simple explanation, as is shown in the following statement made by the Prime Minister to-day:—

"I notice," remarked Mr. Massey, "that Mr. Be.ee in his speech on Monday night made some reference to my recent visit to Dunedin to open the Otago A. and P. Winter Show, and insinuated that my presence in Dunedin had something to do with the approaching by-election in Dunedin North. The facts of the matter are that as far back as 7th December last the Otago A. and ■P. Association forwarded to me an official and cordial invitation to perform the opening ceremony of their Winter ■Show. A little later in the session I was waited on by the1 president of the association, Mr. Hazlett, who was visiting .Wellington at tho time, and I then defiuitely promised that I would accept the association's invitation. This fact can bo easily verified by Mr. Hazlitt. At that time it is obvious that there could have ■been no thought of any by-election in ■Dunedin North, seeing that the sitting member was in his usual state of health and attending to_ his Parliamentary duties. The invitation from the Waikato Winter Show reached me by telegram, .through Mr. Young, M.P., on the 10th March, when I was travelling in the Bay of Plenty district. Mr. Youno- stated that an early reply would be appreciated, so that the fact could be suitably.. advertised in the association's printed, matter which it was then about to issue. I replied by telegram that I would endeavour to comply, but would let the association know definitely on my return to Wellington. When it- was ascertained that the date of the Waikato Show clashed with the date of the Otago Show,,l informed: Mr. Young accordingly, telling him that I was definitely committed to undertake the Dunedin function, and that I should be very glad, if his. association wished, to arrange, for the Minister) of Agriculture to act at the opening.. The Hon. Mr. Nosworthy officiated accordingly.

"That is all. there is in ..it," remarked the Prime Minister in conclusion.