INDEPENDENT GROUP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25303, 13 August 1943, Page 4

INDEPENDENT GROUP

A TELEGRAM EXPLAINED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 12. In a statement issued by a spokesman of "the Independent Group an explanation is made regarding Wie telegram sent to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, and- signed by Mr A. P. Harper, Dominion secretary of the group. “ The sentence quoted by Mr Holland, ‘Can,you deny that you have held discussions with the Leader of the Oppo-, sition? ’ is not contained in the telegram handed in at the' telegraph counter addressed to the Leader of the Opposition, the statement says. ' "Inquiries at the Post Office this morning reveal • that an understandable mistake has been made in the transmission of the telegram, as an almost identical telegram had been sent to the Prime Minister. We stand the - Post Office has informed Mr Holland of the error.' “ The correction of the telegram now makes Mr Holland’s rather fatuous joke at our expense fall quite flat," the statement continues. ....“So. far we have not received any answer from Mr Holland to our telegram. We have,. however, been that assurance we believe has been given because of. our forceful representations—that all the issues at the coming .elections .will he placed fairly and ■ squarely before overseas personnel. We say further that we are convinced that • neither the Leader of the Opposition nor his party is in any way responsible for such arrangements.’