THE RIVAL LEADERS.

Evening Star, Issue 14002, 8 March 1909, Page 2

THE RIVAL LEADERS.

■.-■- . ' m . t >-\). I prime "Minister, and'-mr! ; MASSEY. ' 1 In the course of an interview at Christ - church, Sir Joseph Ward referred, jib he acceptance of his challenge by Mr ' Leader qf the Opposition. The chanes referred/to are : (1) That suggestions bid been made at elections to the .effect tint certain 'districts would be more likely to bo benefited by public expenditure ifrthoo districts" were represented by Oovernme it supporters rather than Oppositionists: \l) that systematic attempts were made it elections by members of the party >f wbich Sir Joseph Ward is leader to ligel and misrepresent Opposition candidates and Qpposition members of the. last and' preceding Parliaments. " The. Leader of the Opposition,',' isaid Sir Joseph Ward, "made statemculs to the effect that the electors were bribed by promises of billets, and in addititia he made certain, charges regarding the payment for political telegrams concerning the late elections. I stated that these things were untrue, .and I challenged him to prove any one of them. Now he changes his ground, and instead of adhering to what he stated before he falls linck on something which he alleges candidates said during the course of the General Elections. Consequently the terms of his acceptance of the challenge I made are m.npiy at attempt to draw a red herring across the scent. lie made dishonest charges against the Government, not against candidates. I am not responsible for what any candidate said, and no one has made any statements such as referred to by the Leader of the Opposition with the authority of the Government. The charges Mr Massey originally preferred were made at a public meeting. 1 said that they were untrue, and he has abandoned them entirely to allege something else, for which the Government is not responsible directly or indirectly. As his charges are contrary to fact he ought, as a matter of fairness, to state that they are untrue, and that he has been iliisinformed and misled."