"A POLITICAL TRICK."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17337, 8 December 1919, Page 8

"A POLITICAL TRICK."

CANDIDATE'S ALLEGATTONS.. CANDIDATE'S ALLEGATIONS.^ STATEMENT BY 'MR. MASSEY. NO KNOWLEDGE OF MATTER. [BY TELEGRAPH.PEES 3 ASSOCIATION.] ASHBURTON. Saturday. It was stated to-day by Mr. H. M. Jones, who is styled a Democratic--Liberal candidate for AshburtOn, and former secretary of the Protestant Political Association here, that two weeks ago the Rev. Howard Elliott came to him and asked him (Mr. Jones) to withdraw from the contest in favour of the Hon. W. Nosworthy/ Mr. Jones stated that Mr. Elliott said : "If you will withdraw in favour of Mr. Nosworthy your expenses will be paid to date, and your name-will be favourably considered and forwarded for a seat in the Upper House." Mr. Jones says lie replied that the offer did not appeal to him, and refused absolutely to retire from the contest. Mr. Jones to-day expressed wonder as to who was responsible for these easy , entrances to the "Upper House. The Prime Minister, questioned last evening regarding the allegations from Ashburton, said : "I believe the Ashburton incident referred to in the Press Association telegram to be a political trick such as we have had some experience of in previous elections in New Zealand. However, one thing is quite certain : I have never been consulted, directly or indirectly, about the matter, nor would I allow sjich a proceeding. The suggestion is, to my mind, absurd on the face of- it. It is stated in the telegram that Mr. Jones i.< a Democratic Liberal candidate, and . this being the case I cannot understand his withdrawal as being any likely benefit to the Reform candidate, although for genuine Liberalism the latter is probably ahead of either of the other two. I hope this matter will be thoroughly sifted and the blame placed upon the right shoulders. If I can assist in any way I shall be very glad to do so. The electors throughout the Dominion who are working with me are out on our side for a straight, clean —absolutely free from improper methods or sharp practice in any way whatever.'

WAITEMATA. The Government candidate for Waitemata, Mr. A. Harris, addressed the electors at the Presbyterian Sunday School, Belmont, on Saturday evening. The hall was well filled, the meeting being by far the largest yet held in the district. Mr. J. n. Harrison, headmaster of the Belmont School, presided. The candidate was attentively listened to, there being a ! complete absence of interruption. He ■ referred to the extremely critical years of reconstruction following the war, and urged a vigorous public works policy [reads, railways, hydro-electric works requiring prosecution to the utmost of our i resources. Every acre of cultivable land must, he said, bo brought into a state of cultivation. He also advocated improved education facilities, including free medical and dental treatment where necessary, free school books and stationery, larger and better-equipped schools. After answering a number of questions Mr. Harris was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, amid plauseMr. A. E. Greenslade, Opposition candidate for Waitemata, addressed a meeting of electors at the Kumeii Public Hall, on Friday evening, Mr. J. Goodwin presiding. A vote of thanks was unanimously accorded the candidate. MANUKAU. Mr. C. E. Major, Opposition candidate for Manvkau, addressed the electors at the Mangere Bridge schoolhousa on Friday evening, Mr. J. E. Taylor presiding. The candidate received an appreciative hearing. K. number of questions were asked. The meeting terminated with a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Major. DENIAL OF RUMOUR. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Saturday. Mr. T. M. Wilford, the Opposition candidate for Hutt, states that a persistent rumour is being circulated throughout New Zealand to the effect that he, while Minister for Justice, ordered that all reference to religion should be omitted from the charge sheet of the courts. In reply, he wishes to say that the rumour is absolutely incorrect, and he has Departmental proof of this. TO-NIGHT'S PUBLIG ADDRESSES. The Prime Minister, the Hon. W. F. Massey— Palace, Parnell, and the Broadway Theatre, Newmarket. Mr. Clutha Mackenzie (Auckland East), I Broadway Theatre, Newmarket. Hon. A. M. Myers (Auckland East)-— Andrew's Hall. Air. R. F. Way (Auckland Grafton Methodist Hall. Mr. J. S. Dickson (Parnell) —Picture Palace, Parnell. Mr. C. F. Bennett (Auckland West)— Gasworks, Beaumont Strett, 12.20 p.m. Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) —West End Theatre. Mr. A. J. Entrican (Auckland —Bayfield Methodist Church. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central St. Benedict's Hall. Miss E. Melville (Grey Lynn), Richmond Picture Theatre. Mr. Paul Richardson (Grey Lynn), Jubilee Hail, Kingeland. Mr. L. Garmson (Grey Lynn)—St. Barnabas' Hall, Mount Eden. Mr. F. Bartram (Grey Lynn)—Newton West School. Mr. Vivian H. Potter (Roskill) —Epsom Hall. ___ Mr. J. H. Gunson (Roskill) —addresses on behalf of candidate by Messrs. G. J. Tnnks,, W. J. Holdsworth, and W. S. Smith, at Empire Picture Theatre. Mr. F. W. Peddle (Roskill)— Presbyterian School. C. J. Parr (Eden) —Swanson. Mr. R. E. Hornblow (Edenfßrieham's Creek. Mr. Oscar Mcßrine (Eden), Edendale School. Mr. C. £. Major (Manukau)Panmure Mission Hall. Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Manukau)—Mangere. Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata)Long Bay School (3 p.m.) • Mr. A. E. Greenslade (Waitemata) — Takapuna Parish Hall. Mr. J. Rea (Franklin) —Ramarama. Mr. .T. A. Young (Waika to)— Frank ton. Mr. P. H. Watts (Waikato)Cambridge Town Hall. Mr. C. Lafferty (Waikato) —King's Theatre, Hamilton. TO-NIGHT'S COMMITTEE MEETING. Mr. C. F. Bennett (Auckland West) — Young Men's Committee, at Mr. Bennett's residence, Hamilton Road.