DUNEDIN NORTH CONTEST

Evening Star, Issue 18136, 28 November 1922, Page 8

DUNEDIN NORTH CONTEST

TO TOE EDITOR. ISit-.—.\ few evenings ago a letter appeared asking why Mr J. ,1. Clark was not more definite than to cal! himself an “Indopon(lent Reform ” candidate.' I was at two ol Mr Clark’s meetings last week, and on both occasions, while giving us his address, ho was very careful lo let us know that he would vole with Mr Massey against either ot tho other two parties "as at present constituted.” One could have taken the inf crone© from what ho said that, in the event of a new party being formed, he might be found in the ranks of same, and, if necessary, away from Mr Massey. His attitude, was something like that ot Messrs Dowme Stewart and C, L. Statham in 1919, anc| where are they to-day? Mr Stewart has accepted Cabinet rank from Mr Massey, while Mr Statham, though he calls himself “Independent” is really one of the Milford Party. At least, after hearing both Messrs Sidcy and Statham, 1 should unhesitatingly say that thev are both “in the same boat.” But Mr Clark lost his “ Independence ” on Wednesday night lasy at the Gardens Hall meeting. One questioner, after referring to Mr Clark’s condemnation of the present railway administration, asked the candidate how he would vote in the event of either of the Liberal or Labor Parties moving a no-coutidence motion against the Massey Government on the question of its railway policy. Mr Clark tried to evade the question—and he is exceptionally clever at this but the audience “ hung ■’ to him, with tho result that he admitted he would vote with Mr Massey every time. A second no-confidence motion question was asked, and 'after further delay, Mr Clark again had to admit that he would support Mr Massey every time a no-confidence motion 'was moved in the House.—l’am, etc., G. S. Thomson.. November 25. TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—it would be well for the electors of Dunedin North to realise where Mr Clark stands regarding pensions to the blind. Mr Clark, in answering a question recently, said' ho would vote against pensions to the blind if Mr Massey accepted an amendment in that direction as a noconfidence motion. Mr Munto, in answer to tbe„samo question, said _bo was in favor of pensions to tbo blind and increased pensions to widows and old age pensioners, and! would vote accordingly.— I am, etc,, Humanity. November 28.