THE CORRIGAN INCIDENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19142, 7 October 1925, Page 13

THE CORRIGAN INCIDENT

MEMBER'S EXPLANATION. "PART OF POLITICAL GAME." ELECTION TACTICS ALLEGED. [BY TELEURAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WANGANUI, Tuesday. The member for Patea, Mr. W. J. Corrigan, addressing a. meeting of electors at Brunswick last night, referred to "Corrigan charges" against Sir James Parr. He said that the "big noise that was made by his opponents" was a part of the political game. The information he received was accepted from a man in Auckland in good faith. As soon as the speaker was certain that his charges were unfounded, ho withdrew them. The real charge made against. Sir James Parr was of using his department for party purposes. He had forwarded 16 names of persons recommended as justices of the peace to Sir James Parr, and had received no answer. There were five Reformers appointed, but no Liberals, Sir James Parr had still to answer why. It was tactics to make as much out of an opponent as possible at election time, and that was what Sir James Parr did.

THE KOTORUA SEAT.

RUMOUR AGAIN DENIED. [BY telegraph.—OWN correspondent.] WHAKATANE. Tuesday. A report is again in circulation that, owing to ill-health, Mr. J. W. Sumner, Labour candidate for Rotorua, may withdraw. There is no truth in it. THE COUNTRY PARTY. SPEECH BY MR. A. A. ROSS. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. J THAMES, Tuesday. Mr. A. A. Ross, Country Party candidate for Thames, opened his campaign at Central Hall last evening. There was an audience of about 80. In the course of his speech Mr. Ross dealt with the need for protection of primary interests, land speculation, immigration, agricultural banks, mortgages, fiscal policy and preferential voting. The reason for the appearance of the new party was, among other things, he said, to prevent further assistance to secondary industries and to stop protection duties. He contended that none of the existing three parties had any chance of seriously considering the matter. At the conclusion of the address a vote of confidence was moved and about eight hands were raised. The motion was declared carried. The meeting was not enthusiastic. DUNEDIN WEST SEAT. THE LABOUR CONTROVERSY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. There has been some comment in the South concerning the decision of the Otago Representation Committee that it does not want Mr. C. M. Moss to stand for the Dunedin West electorate in the Labour interests. The secretary of the. New Zealand Labour Party, Mr. Walter Nash, made the following statement on the matter to-day:— "The interpretation of the Labour Party's policy by Mr. Moss, who has been announced as the Labour candidate for Dunedin West, not being in accord with the decision of the conference and national executive, Mr. Moss will not he the Labour candidate for the seat."

MINISTER ANI) FUSION.

STATEMENT BY MR. McLEOD [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] EKATAHUNA, Tuesday. Speaking at Alfredton last evening the Hon. A. D. McLeod said he was opposed to fusion, because he objected to members bargaining on their own jobs before referring the question to the electors. If Reform did not secure a working majority as the result of the election he would be quite prepared to resign his portfolio, if required, and work with any party for good government. GOVERNMENT ATTACKED. HON. D. BUD DO AT KAIAPOI. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHJRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. The Hon. D. Buddo opened his campaign for Kaiapoi to-night. He devoted himself mainly to a criticism of the Reform and Labour Parties. He declared that the former was moribund except for its borrowing policy. He was accorded a vote of thanks. STABILITY ESSENTIAL. SUPPORT FOR MR. 00ATES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] OAMARU, Tuesday. Mr. E. P. Lee, Government candidate for the Oamaru seat, opened his campaign at Hampden to-night, when he addressed a large meeting. He gave enthusiastic support to Mr. Coates and stated that in these critical times a stable Government was absolutely essential. He was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.