REFORM METHODS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19813, 3 December 1919, Page 5

REFORM METHODS.

A NBCE UTTLEEXPOSURE. SPLIT IN THE WAIR AR APA CAMP. THE RICH AUTOCRAT. The Masterton correspondent of the "New Zealand Times" tells the following interesting story under date November 28:— The latest political development in regard to the Masterton seat in order to avoid Reform vote-splitting was touched upon by Mr Matheson, Independent Reform candidate, at his meeting tonight. Mr Matheson said that most of them knew of the storm in the political teapot, during the last few days. "I abhor secrecy," ho said, "in any shape or form. Wo all know how secret diplomacy worked perniciously in the war." Mr Matheson stated that in IflOS ho had stood down after hearing Mr W. 0. Buchanan's opinion. In 1911 ho stood aside in order not to split Reform votes. In 1911 he left, tho election alone as ho considered that it was not the time to stand with the war on. However, we had drifted into a, svstem of Government by caucus and Cabinet, and away from Democracy. In June last he came out as a candidate. His reason was because he know that two other Reform candidates were coming out and he wanted to get in iirst and he did not want the public to think that he waited to see how things were going before he came out. Now came tho second episode in the drama. It was readied on the return to Now Zealand of Sir Walter Buchanan Sir Walter was. thev mav say, the godfather of the Reform Paftv m tiie \\.-urarapa. Now, not long after -ir Wn.ior Buchanan's return the sitting member announced bis candidature Ho then saw Sir Walter later, ana there was some plain speaking on both K ,dos. Sir Walter Buchanan^had Giud: ' One of you must stand down." A fortnight ago ho had seen Sir Walter JiiKusnan again and there was moro plain speaking. Ten days ago Sir Walter wont to him and asked him to submit his name to a. committee/to choose whether Mr Matheson or Mr should be the candidate. Sir Walter Buchanan said to him: +,,:, i nro t clo '" K a vei T unpatriotic and letting an extremist in." The spoiler said that no one had more objection to extremists than he, but there was another reason why he should not stand down and that was that he objected to letting political machines pttmg in control. Mr Matheson said j'.yaid to Sir Walter Buchanan: • H hat you want is an obedient servant. ■- Sir Walter replied: "I would sooner support a second or third-rate : candidate than lose a single vote " The ' peascr said that ho put principle bo- . tore party. L Sir .Walter Buchanan said in replv ' J<".i are not out for Reform, but to relorm the Reformers." That mav have boon sarcasm on Sir Walter Buchanan's pari, but the speaker was really out for that. "I am out for a cleaner and more Democratic Government." « a id Mr Matheson. "The scene has now changed as far as the Masterton seat is roncorncci. Peaoe has fled and the hattle has commenced. I agreed to |mi .unit my name io a committee of t lour, the election committees of Mr Sykes and my own. That committee met to-day. but came to no understandnig. therefore the battle has comniencea. lam going on with the fight. We have got to a stage in our democracy when we will not he dictated to. Sir \ alter Bucmuian was determined that tho person ho selected, should go io the poll and was determined to sweep all others away."