Protestant Political Association

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 23, 13 December 1919, Page 5

Protestant Political Association

(incorporated.)

(Equal Rights for All; Special Privileges 'to None.)

(Published by (Arrangement.)

nn HE Executive of the Egmont -*- Branch of the Protestant Political Association regrets, to learn that Mr- Masters has seen fit to give publicity to the contents of a private let'ier .issued by that body to: its members; he must accept all responsibility for the introduction of the sectarian

issue info thije campaign. In Utfsr connection we offer .the following statement :

1. The Leader ,of the Opposition Party has nffli, to the best of our knowledge, definitely stated that he would not accept the disloyal or extreme section or labor vote, and until he does we are quite in order in assuming that it is possible he would. : 2. : We emphatically disclaim ahy : intention whatever of suggesting., that Mrt Masters or his* supporters are dis-' loyal, the main object of the, letter SJiCVS*. ,f«. Vi. Bi-;; ihl»il art), .i-V.-I .OViO '"■.,•'•• being to draw special,attention to, the menace of" Che extreme 'and dislpyal section of labor, and we'are not responsible for" any "perverted construction placed upon the wording of,the letter.. O. ''lti'ib ?L'f! I I £?0

3. The P.P.A., being a political body, makes no apologies for entering the political arena, and as such claims an absolute right to send a direction to its members on a political question, as the form of control is thoroughly democratic. !

4. The letter in question was sen'b to members only, and the contents were not intended for publication'. 5. The P.P.A. is an absolutely- loyal association. Its objects are to maintain 1 loyalty 'to the King and fight disloyalty gin; eyejry ;J shape,- and ,form whether in individuals, associations ot i \;.\ : ; : '-■?.;> _6. The President _Q?_ the _ JEgmont sonally responsible for the contents of r -7,. j.Thefolhpwing.;extract som; the jSew.; Zealand Tablet, ;the official organ ,pf the Catholic Federation, speaks fpr itself and shows clearly what party that body Will be supporting ah this time. Is it any wonder that the P.P.A., being a counter association, sends a direction to its members? ,!

8. We ask Mr Masters' supporters not :fo be misled by any misinterpretation i placed on the wording of the letter in question.

EXTRACT FROM IHE "NEW. ZEAi;A.bij.ivi, ■■' i.ouJl, Aov., iiUV.

isome time or oJUaer there will be a general election, n vvxil not happen as unig us uic present Jfarlianient can uiu«g io 1,/ieir jous, out iuwill come lai"

•i'. ne mtjn tu hcixv our uatnoiic vot-

cfs nut to lorget ;to remember liotv huiuo oi >ieir representative^ luu Uatlioiies ot

voceu - reutuiay

j.aru<ia&.i are numerically strong, ami *c would be 'no .harm u you usea your strength; against the men who voted tut libwara taihouc—for that is really

fluu it comes to —wnen Mr Massey,

l-Ke u, loyal urangetnmi, letil the bigots against' the Urooners. The Catholics ot limaru also have neead to examine uOeu'i consciences. Whaii return has the

illustrious Mr Craigie made tor your support Y How lias lie kept his pledges; but ol course we should be foolish to think that pledges or "scraps 01 paper" master to many men in that gauery. While remembering these tilings in our hearts, let us not forget, the men who stood for principle, and defied the wild wowser and his /.threats

Messrs lsitt, 'Walker iand Witty shall riot be forgotten if Catholics ' have any memory for political honesty and upright conduct. Finally,

if ati a time when it seemed that we had not a, mall to save lis from the tyranny of Sir .James Allen, K.C.8., we reminded Sir Joseph Ward that paO'vle were'expeking more from him, we now welcome the opportunity to express our admiration for the stand he has made for justice and principle against bigotry and Orangism. As long as he maintains such a firm attitude he will have the support of every man in New Zealand whose support is worth having even though he should lose the favor of people whoso opposi ion is a testimonial ta him.