AN ELECTION INCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18354, 21 March 1923, Page 9

AN ELECTION INCIDENT.

FORMER MEMBER'S THREAT.

ALLEGED MALICIOUS LIBEL.

[by telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION.] BLENHEIM. Tuesday.

On the eve of the general election a letter appeared in the Marlborough Express in which it was stated:—"lt is an open secret in political circles that Mr. McCallum is prepared to follow the leadership of Mr. Holland; therefore, every vote accorded to Mr. McCallum is a step toward a Labour Government with , Mr. Holland as Prime Minister." The next evening Mr. McCallum addressed an open letter to Mr. W. J. Girling, his opponent, alleging that the letter, which was signed, "J. Neilson, Wellington," was "faked" and written by a local supporter of Mr. Girling. Mr. McCallum has now addressed a letter to Mr. Furness, proprietor of the Express, claiming £500 as compensation for damages sustained by a "false malicious libel." He also asks for the Identity of the author of the letter, and in the event of his demand being refused, he * threatened to issue a writ claiming £500 as damages. Mr. Furness has replied through his solicitors, stating that he is prepared to accept service of any writ that Mr. McCallum sees fit to issue.

Mr. McCallum, a Liberal, who had held the Wairau seat for 11 years, was defeated at the recent general election by Mr. Girling, a supporter of the Reform Party. ■■ • ■ • '