ELECTIONEERING TACTICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13918, 27 November 1908, Page 6

ELECTIONEERING TACTICS.

PRIME MINISTER AND MR. MASSEY.

[BY TELECBAI'H.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Thursday.

Mr. Massey (Leader of the Opposition) appears to still believe that the Government's electioneering tactics were very re-' prehensible. Sir Joseph Ward blames the Opposition for misrepresent ing the Government. . Each side claims that the other has not fairly played the, game. One of Mr. Massey's complaints was that a pamphlet circulated by the Ministerial ' party east reflections on the memory •of * Sir/ Harry Atkinson. The publication contained a schedule of wages "paid upon relief works during a time of distress, for which, contends Mr. Mawey, the Liberal Government which preceded Sir Harry Atkinson, was responsible. - ? Sir Joseph Ward denies that he has done anything directly or indirectly to . injure the memory of Sir Harry Atkinson.. He did riot authorise or' circulate any pamphlets calculated to bring discredit upon the memory of a statesman* who had his high admiration and personal respect. Hie Prime Minister submits that all he did in this matter was in a manifesto which he delivered .prior to tho elections. In this announcement he merely referred to the rates of pav under a Conservative Government, in 1887, and he contends that it is perfectly justifiable to refer to records of facts connected with any Governments of the past. ,