THE WAITEMATA CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13583, 12 September 1908, Page 3

THE WAITEMATA CAMPAIGN.

Sir,—l have noticed a letter in this morninir's Hbiiald signed by Mr. G. S. Mitchell, secretary to the Devonport branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation, who also holds the position of clerk in Mr. W. J. Nanier's office. Tliis genetloman calls in*. question the statements mads by Mr. P. J. Nerkeny, the president of the Auckland Central branch, to the effect that Mr, H. W. Wilding bad gone through the ordeal of selection for the Waitemata seat,, in accordance with the amended constitution of the federation, and that Mr. W. J. Napier had only been selected by the Devonport branch. As secretary of the Waitemata Electoral Council, permit me to say that the statement made by Mr. P. J. Nerheny is absolutely true in every particular. In my position as secretary of the council, I convened a meeting of delegates from each branch in the electorate (Devonport, Wade, Unner Waiwera and Wainui, Birkenhead and Northcotc) for the purpose of selecting a candidate to contest the seat in the Liberal interests. All the branches name* were represented, with the exception of Devonport, which declined to send delegates, stating that they had already selected Mr. Napier as their candidate. At this meeting of the Electoral Council Mr. H. W. Wilding was unanimously chosen as the candidate to contest the Wartoraata seat in the Liberal interests. From this it will be seen that Mr. H. W. Wilding did fro through the ordeal required by the constitution of the federation, and that Mr. Napier was only selected by the Devonport branch. Mr. Nerheny's utterances are, therefore, established by fact, and an apology is due to that gentleman for the unwarrantable attack made upon him by Mr. Mitchell. James Stewart, Hon. Sec. Waitemata Electorate Council. September 11.