THE REFORM NOMINATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 November 1924, Page 4

THE REFORM NOMINATION.

(To the Editor.) ir >—I notice in to-night’s Star the announcement of the names of the candidates for the Reform nomination for the Patea seat. Is the W. A. Collins, of Kai Iwi, mentioned therein the same Mr Collins who, in conjunction with Mr E. A. Paeey, Mr M. R. Murphy and others, nominated: Mr Corrigan at the election just two years ago? Is it the same Mr Collins who .was always looked on as the Liberal stalwart of Kai Iwi, and who always chaired the Liberal meetings in that town? I would have been less surprised had the list of Reform candidates- included the name of Mr J. R. Corrigan,’ but Mr Collins! Mr M. R. Murphy, of Patea, another of Mr Corrigan’s nominators, has already in the columns of the Star renounced his allegiance to Mr Wilford, so it looks as though a “rot” had set in- in the old party, even in the Patea electorate. Can it be that the same fate that befell the Liberal party in the Old Country awaits their prototypes in New Zealand? I must admit that to-day even in our own electorate it is difficult to find anyone prepared to admit that they support the Liberal Pary. Most old supporters, seem ashamed of it. With two of Mr Corrigan’s nominators publicly gone over to the enemy (we have not heard from the others, so we do nos_ know lioav faithful they are keeping), it is possible our member may find difficulty in securing suitable nominators. 1 There; is only one bright spot in Mr Collins’ defection; when he fell off the Liberal fence it is gratifying to notice that he fell into the 'Reform paddock.—l am, etc.,' 1 - . ASTONISHED. : [Since receiving the above letter another on the same matter, signed by “Compassionate,” has reached us. “Compassionate,” in commending Mr Collins oii-having so acted, speaks of “the recent influx of Liberals into the Reform camp” as being “the end of the train which commenced soon after the death of Mr Seddon.” The correspondent says: “It will also take another eighteen years after the passing of Mr Massey to persuade many that Reformism and Masseyism are identical and that Reformism must go the 'way of all flesh’ when its present leader 'crosses the bar.’ ” Correspondence on this question is closed. —Ed.]