NOT WORRIED.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10738, 8 November 1928, Page 6

NOT WORRIED.

MINISTER THREATENED WITH WRIT FOR DAMAGES.

ALLEGED DEFAMATION

HON. A. D. McLEOD REPEATS PARTICULARS OBJECTED TO. (Press Association.) MASTER TON-. Nov. 7. .A xicYV' 111 'iitr CclThpaign for the -Wairarapa seat was disclosed at Tewharau on Tuesday evening, when the Hon. A. D. McLeod announced that he had received From his opponent a telegram threatening to issue a writ for defamation. About fifty electors assembled at the Tewharau schoolroom to hear Mr. McLeod and, as usual; the Reform candidate had an excellent reception. In opening his address Mr. McLeod said that a new element had entered into the contest, in that he was receiving daily Telegrams from his opponent, Colonel McDonald. On ariival at Tewharau, he had received the following communication: —

“ ‘Age’ report of your meeting at Braucepeth states that you called me a political opportunist, because I offered my services to the Reform, Labor,' Nationalist and United parties. The statement., is a deliberate lie, intended to injure me, and unless you immediately publish in all papers circulating in the district a withdrawal and a full apology, I shall immediatelv issue a writ- for damages for defamation.”

Mr. McLeod said:-—• “I don’t think I can add anything to the statement made by me at Brancepeth on Monday night. My opponent’s reference about issuing a writ does not worry me in the slightest degree. Apparently 110 considers that the statement to the effect that, he has in'the past offered , his services to several political parties constitutes <■ defamation of character, I; have not been at the head of. the Reform organisation for the past eight years without knowing all those who have offered themselves for selection as Reform candidates during that period., Colonel McDonald is at present standing for the United Party, and in 1922 he was a candidate in the LittoralNationalist interests. So far as the Labor Party is concerned I have the personal assurance _of two of the most prominent ■ sitting members of that party, that he also offered his services as a candidate to that organisation .in the intervening period. As an indication of his desire to obtain the support of that party he stated in reply to a question put, to him at Morison’s Bush during the present campaign, that lie would support a no-confidence 'motion moved by Labor, even if Sir Joseph Ward, as leader of the United Party, voted with Mr. Coates. The electors of this district know definitely, where I stand politically, and it is just as well that they should know where rnv opponent stands.”