GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 439, 29 October 1908, Page 3

GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE.

[to the editor.]

Sir, —I read with much amusement the report of Mr Frankland’s meeting at Bulls on the 22nd inst., wherein it is stated that “Mr Franklaud and Mr Stevens are both Government supporters.” I am the Government supporter, and am supported by the Government, having in my possession the written approval of my candidature in the Government interest, the difference between us being that I am supported by the Government, whereas Mr Frankland is not supported by the Government. And as the Government can only support oue candidate in each electorate, it is absurd to say that Mr Fraukland, or anyone else, except myself, is the Liberal Candidate chosen by the Government for this electorate. If Mr Frankland had wished to be a Government supporter in the true sense, he would have selected a constituency where there was no approved Government supporter. Such a course would possibly entitle Mr Frankland to the consideration which he solicits at the hands of the Liberal electors. But the ridiculousness of the statement that he is supporting the Liberal Party by contesting the election, on the asumption that the Liberal electors of Manawatu are so gullible as to believe that he is helping the Liberal cause by attempting to split the Liberal vote, is manifest. I admit that every male elector has an individual right to contest any election and to this I take no exception whatever, nor do I take exception to the opinions expressed by my opponents in furthering their own candidature, but shall always avail myself of the right through the columns of the press, and on the platform, to correct statements which by inuendo convey a wrong impression to the electors. —Yours etc., John Stevens. Bulls, October 27, 1908.