THE NELSON SEAT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 20 October 1911, Page 6

THE NELSON SEAT.

WAS MR MACMAHON AN INDEPENDENT ? (To the Editor.) Sir, —My attention is dTrecTcd to a statement made in your answers to correspondents in your issue of the 13th snst., where yo'u say in reply to a *'¥oung Elector" in reference to myself. that you believe that three years ago 1 x was a. Government supporter. This is tjorrect, as at the last general election I actively supported tho Government. But you go on to say that three months ago ''when approached regarding my intensions," I said that if 1 decided to stand I would probably do so as an Independent." This is quite incorrect. In the> first place I was not approached three months ago by any deputation or body of ipeople ia reference to my intentions politically, and on no occasion did i •make any detlaration of my intention *o stand as an Independent-. Indeed, •I have supported the Government consistently, and am now . standing for election as a Government supporter. Asking you to allow me to make this correction in fairness to myself. 1 I am, etc., GEO. MAOMAHON. Nelson, Octdber 18, 1911.

(iNo doubt Mr. Macmahon is correct in. his' assertion that he was not approached by any deputation, or body of .people in reference to his intentions politically ; hnt he seams to have quite forgotten that on the afternoon of the Bth of May he was : approached at Tapawera? by the "Evening Mail" by telephone regarding his intentions at the coming elections, when-as the result of his areply the following paragraph appeared in the "Evening Mail" of that date : "It is understood that Mr. George Macmahon, cf Tapawe>ra, the new Chairman of the Harbour Board, and Chairman of the Hospital! and CharStable Aid Board, wall probably decide> to be a candidate for the Nelson sjaat in the House of 'Hepresentatives. Should he staoad. he, will come out as an Independent candidate."

Although several months have elapsed since'-'the paragraph was published Mr. •Macmahon: has not sent in a contradac*x>n Sintiil now, and the reply to " Ycning Elector" was based absolutely on the above paragraph ;published as a Tesult of .personal communication with Mr. Macmahon. —Ed. N.E.M.)

MB. W. J. MOFFATT'S CANDIDATURK. (Communicated.) Mr W. J. Moffatt addressed a m?«t in E «f 40 electors last evening at the Wood Sunday School. Mr T. Condell- occupied the chair. Mr Moffatt spoke for an hour and a-half on the lines of his previous addresses, and criticised the statements made in the manifesto published as an inset in that night's "Mail" In support of the Government candidate. He 6aid the statement that the candidate possessed the confidence of the Govern.ment meant that six or* seven men on "«~e Ministerial benches wanted him. If they did, what was that to Nelson? The reference ■Co the honorarium was a reflection on, and an insult to. all the other candidates. That the Government candidate did not support the land policy of John Baliance was proved by his utterances on the land question. JAe said that if all the Government- candidates _ professed the same principles as the Nelson one, Mr Massey would be nnable to move any more|no-confidence motions on the question of land tenure. Another candidate was strongly supported by a prominent professedly Government supporter, while two business men had within the last two days informed! tne speaker that they supported the same candidate because they believed he ■would vote against the Government; It appeared to be 'possible- to draw whisky or Jemonade from the same keg. At the conclusion of the address, which was loudly applauded, a number of questions •were answered ,and on the motion of .Messrs Brooks and West-ley a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the candidate for his very able address. The usual vote to the chair concluded a very successful meeting. M r Moffatt will speak at Clifton Terrace to-night; and Tahuna School on Mondav,

MR BISHOr'S CANDIDATURE. Mr Bishop will address the electors at Tahuna this "evening, and Brigh'twafcer to-morrow. / MR MACMAHON'S CANDIDATURE. Mr Macmahon will address the electors at Happy Valley this evening.