REBUKE FOR CANDIDATE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 26 October 1928, Page 2

REBUKE FOR CANDIDATE

SLUR ON PRIME MINISTER

ANSWER BY HON K. S. WILLIAMS

A stinging rebuke to the United Tarty candidate for the Gisborne seat, Mr W. Lissant Clayton, for what was characterised as an unwarranted and unjustifiable slur upon the Prime Minister, was delivered'by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. K. S. Williams, during his address at Tokomaru Bay (telegraphs the Gisborne correspondent otf the "N.Z. Herald"). "I dislike criticising anyone," said'the Minister, "but I think I 'am entitled to refer to the statement made by Mr Clayton, a United Party candidate, to the effect that the Prime Minister is suffering from a 'swelled head.' Mr Clayton obviously was speaking in ignorance, and I do not think any man is justified in making an assertion of that description purely upon assumption, or as the result of some allegation he had heard made elsewhere.

"'lf he must indulge in personalities he should substantiate his remarks first. It has been my privilege to be associated with the'' Prime Minister, and to work closely with him for some years, and I want to say emphatically that I have not seen the slightest sign of conceit or 'swelled head' about him. It would be difficult to find a "more quietly thorough, Hard-working, clear-thinking man anywhere in New Zealand than the Prime Minister I mention this, although the statement referred to was not made in my electorate, because I regard it as a reflection upon a man of whom we should all be proud, whatever our political opinion. "No man,' I can assure you, could have given a closer study to his work or shown a more genuine desire to fathom the, many problems with which he is confronted than has Mr Coates. I give Mr Clayton's statement a most definite denial." (Applause.)