THAT MYSTERIOUS LETTER

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 66, 1 December 1911, Page 3

THAT MYSTERIOUS LETTER

(Published by Arrangement.)

Speaking at Paterangi on Wednesday and Mangapiko on , Thursday, Mr J. A. Young made reference to the endeavour that was being made to show that he supported the Hon. McNab’s ! Land Bill of IQO6, and that he had advised Mr Greenslade to , give that Bill his support. Deal- ( ing with the question the candi- . date said that when he wrote an. ( important letter he kept a copy of it, and he had kept a copy of . the letter which he wrote to Mr . Greenslade on the 9th September, ' 1906. He would read the letter to them, but before doing so , would inform them that his opponent, who was in his first ses- , sion of Parliament, wrote to him : from Wellington on Ist Septem- . ber, 1906, stating that the trouble ' there was going to be over the ' optional freehold versus the leasehold, and that it would be premature to say too much, but that he would not be surprised to see an appeal to the country at any time, and that of course members will do anything rather than hasten an election until the expiry of the term, but that he (Mr Greenslade) had determined to stick to his election pledges regardless of the consequences. In the same letter Mr Greenslade also said : “I would be pleased if you would kindly write me fully at your earliest convenience stating what you think is the exact opinion in the electorate on this question, that is to say, whether, if I am firm, I am likely to gain any further support from old opponents, or whether the contest will be on the same old party lines, no matter what my attitude may be. You can readily understand what I mean, and I know I can depend upon you giving me a pretty accurate forecast of the position.” 1 Mr Young said that he regretted that his opponent had violated all the principles of confidence which usually obtain between honourable men, in-that he so far forgot himself as’ to make use of private correspondence, and then misuse it with a view to doing him (Mr Young) harm politically with the electors of Waikato. His opponent must stand by the consequences of his foolish action, and in self-defence he (Mr Young) would read to them the whole of the letter which he wrote over five years ago. This is the letter: “Dear Mr Greenslade —Interest in the Government's land proposals as outlined by the Hon. McNab in his Bubget speech is not very keen so far among our friends in the country districts. The Oppositionists in the Waikato are of course laughing at the situation, and as far as I can see are quietly making ready for any emergency. Quite a number of our Radical friends in Hamilton are delighted with the Government’s declaration and firmness, and openly go so far as to say they will stick to Sir Joseph Ward and Mr McNab 'right through the piece. This, however, is not what, you have especially inquired after. You desire to'know if your firmness is likely to gain any further support from old opponents, and whether the contest will be on the same old party lines, no matter what your attitude may be. In this matter I can not express an opinion concerning the backblocks, as I am not in touch with either our own or the opposition party in those quarters. You will have a better idea than myself as to what progress you have made with those people in the support they would accord x you'in such circumstances as you speak of. Taking the Waikato generally, I am of opinion that your firmness will count for nothing in winning, further support from old opponents, but that the contest will be on the ‘ same old party lines.’ This opinion is certainly not very comforting, yet 1 believe it to be the true position. You know what gratitude your opponents burden with in political matters. I had a chat with Mr , and he thinks with me on this point. Mr—

does, too, and several others including Oppositionists with whom I have discussed the situation. A recent wire published in the ‘Waikato Times;’ wherein was stated ‘-the member for Waikato voted with Mr

Massey on two occasions,’ _ has not strengthened ■ your position with several liberals. One man reminded me in commenting on the fact, that Waikato Me Minn to support Sir Geo. Grev, and after he voted against the Government he never got back to the House again. As far as i can see the less your name is associated with Mr Massey the better your friends will like it. . \ out opponents simply laugh at it, and do not give you credit lor any goodness thereby. As far as I can see 3 7 tm have to decide between your election pledges and a whole-hearted support of the Ward Ministry. Of course Ido not know the actual strength of the parties in the House, but it appears to me Liberals will have to ask themselves, “ Can their vote save the Ministry ?’,’ “ Lan it put the Government out or can it do neither ?” You say 3'ou have decided “to stick to your election pledges regardless of the consequences,” so 1 take it that that settles the situation as far as you are concerned. My own private opinion is that Ward and McNab will win in the long run in an appeal to the country, not in Waikato, but throughout New Zealand. Three years will see a great change in public thought along radical lines. Now that Mr Secldon is gone, is it expedient or in the best interests of the Colony that members situated like yourself, should remain neutral, or firmly stand out regardless of the consequences and give a lead to political thought? I feel strong in the opinion that the future politice of this country will for a while at least, be settled on the merit of ideas in which progressive liberals of the Laurenson Ell, and Poole type are going to play an important part., 'these are matters which by your experience in Wellington you will see and understand better than I. Your future public usefulness and success will need be influenced by these considerations. I quite recognise the situation is exceedingly complex, and I wish you every success in the course you undertake, but I trust it will not for the sake of office, be at the sacrifice of democratic principles. Hoping you are well and with kind regards, 3 r ours sincerely, J. A. Young.” That is the letter said, Mr Young, which his opponent by reading several short extracts from is trying to convey the impression that he, Mr Young, wrote voluntarily and therein to persuade the' member to vote against his election pledge. All the letter is, is simply to give the writer’s impartial estimate in reply to an enquiry, as to the situation in Waikato in-the event of an eari3 r gereral election over the land bill. . Mr Young’s straightforwardness in placing the true position so clearly gained for him the. warm appreciation of his audience on each occasion. Mr Young added that the person who can construe that letter into an appeal to vote for the lease-hold proposal of the Government in 1906 is possessed of an imagination which would do more credit to fiction than politics, (applause)