THREAT OF A WRIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 13

THREAT OF A WRIT.

DEVELOPMENT IN WAIRARAPA colonel Mcdonald's politics. TELEGRAM TO HON. A. D. McLEOD [ liY TKLKUKAI'H. —I'll ESS ASSOCIATION.! MASTIvRTOX, AVodnesHny A now development in tho campaign for tho Wairarapa seat was disclosed at Tc Wharaii last evening l>v the Hon. A. L). McLeod when ho addressed ahout 50 electors at the Tc Wliarau school room. As usual tho Reform candidate had an excellent reception. Mr. McLeod said a new element had entered into the contest in that he was receiving daily telegrams from his opponent, Colonel McDonald. On arrival at To Wliarau he had received the following communication: "Ago report of your meeting at Branccpeth states you called mo a political opportunist because 1 offered my services to Reform, Labour, Nationalist and United parties. The statement is a dcliberato lie, intended to injure me. Unless you immediately publish in all papers circulating in tho district a withdrawal and a full apology, I shall immediately issue a writ for damages for defamation." "Well," said Mr. McLeod, "1 don't think I can add anything to tho statement made by me at Brancepcth on Monday night. My opponent's reference about issuing a writ does not worry me in tho slightest degree. Apparently he considers a statement to the effect that ho has in the past offered his services to several political parties constitutes defamation of character. I have not been at the head of a Reform organisation for tho past eight years without knowing all those who havo offered themselves for selection as Reform candidates during that period. "Colonel McDonald is at present standing for tlio United Party and in 1922 lie was a candidate in the Liberal-National-ist interests. So far as the Labour Party is concerned I have the personal assurance of two of tho most prominent sitting members of that party that ho has also offered his services as a candidate to that organisation in the intervening period. As an indication of his desire to obtain the support of that party ho stated in reply to a question put to him at Morison's Bush during the present campaign that lie would support a no. confidence motion moved bv Labour even if Sir Joseph Ward, as Leader of tho United Party, voted with Mr. Coatos "The electors of this district know definitely where I stand politically and it is just as well that they should know where my opponent stands." " THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE." LABOUR LEADER'S CLAIM. UNITED PARTY CRITICISED. [BV TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, spoke last night at Petone and at Lower Hutt. At Petone he was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence by a large audience. At Lower Hutt a vote of thanks only-was recorded. No questions were invited at either meeting, and the motion of confidence at Lower Hutt lapsed for want of a seconder, although three cheers were given for Mr. Holland. Any vote fur the United Party, Mr. Holland said, would lie a vote to keep Reform in office. The United Party stood tc hold Mr. Coates in office. The programme of the Labour Party represented the view not only of the industrial organisations, but the view of the democratic-ally-minded farmers. Labour was the only possible alternative to tho present reactionary and conservative Government. The only party seriously fighting the Reform Party was the Labour Party.

LIVELY QUESTION TIME.

MR. E. R. ALLEN AT BIRKDALE

Interjections were in force at the Birkdale Methodist Hall last evening, when Mr. E. R. Allen, United candidate for Auckland Suburbs, addressed a well-at-tended meeting. Mr. P. Dennan presided.

yuestion-timo kept Ihe audience in merry mood, the candidate giving many spirited replies. He favoured protection of secondary industries where it was instilled, Jmt in many instances the subsidy system would be Letter than inipoit duties. He was strongly in favour of the harbour bridge, and so were all the United candidates. A motion of thanks and coufidence. proposed by Messrs. S. McPhail and F. Schorman, was declared carried on the voices against an amendment of thanks only, proposed by Messrs. T. M. Shepherd and E. C. Walton. An amendment of no-confidence was ruled out on the gronnd that the mover was not eligible to vote, being a minor. NO HELP TO LABOUR. j ATTITUDE OF MR. JENKINS. A crowded meeting was addressed by Mr. H. R. Jenkins, United Party candidate for Paniell, in the Somervell Hall, Remuera, last evening. Mr. 1. U. W ells presided over an alt en da nee of some 350 people, some of whom were forced to stand outside. Tho candidate stressed the necessity for readjusting taxation to bear more equitably on all sections. Ho .repudiated tho suggestion that ho would assist Labour to reach tho Treasury benches. He said that his earlier allegiance to tho Reform Party had been terminated owing to his belief that their present policy was dangerous. The candidate answered numerous questions. Much amusement was caused by an over-eager supporter moving, seconding and proceeding to carry by acclamation a vote of thanks and confidence. The motion was carried unanimously by the meeting. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. OPOTIKI LINE FAVOURED. [nV TKLEGRAriI.—OWN COIUIESPONIIE NT. ] OPOTIKI, Wednesday. The Labour candidate for the Bay of Plenty, Mr. A. P. Moncur, opened his campaign in the Opotiki district last evening, when ho addressed a fair number of settlers at Waioeka. Mr. F. G. Parkinson presided. Mr. Moncur criticised the Reform Government and tho proposed RotoruaTaupo railway lino. He said he was in favour of an extension of the railway from Taneatua to Opotiki. The speaker was accorded a vote of thanks.

MR. P. I!. FITZHKIiBEItT. An enthusiastic meeting wits addressed liy Air. P. 1?. Fitzherbcrt, Reform candidate for Grey Lynn, nt llio Adelphi Theatre last, evening, ,Mr. A. A. Picsso presiding. T!io r.nididate; who briefly outlined the policy of the Reform Party, waa given a very attentive hearing.