A FOOLISH FABRICATION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17730, 2 December 1919, Page 4

A FOOLISH FABRICATION.

The historical facts, past and present, which we have recorded above, leave no doubt as to which party is angling for the support of the extremists. Yet, according to the "Herald's" report of Mr. Veitch's address to the employees at the Imlay Works yesterday, that gentleman is credited ("discredited" would perhaps be the better word) with having "exposed the unholy alliance which the Reform Party in Wanganui was attempting to make with the Official Labour Party." The Member for Wanganui is no humorist; but in his time he has unburdened himself of many foolish and funny statements, and, in his present frame of mind, it is not surprising that he should add another to the list. If Mr. Mcllvride is making more headway than Mr. Veitch finds it pleasant to contemplate, we can assure that gentleman that it is through no fault of the Reform Party. • The members of the Ofiicial Labour Party will be "tickled, to death" by the suggestion that they are conniving to ensure the election* of the Reform candidate— the candidate -of the only party whose leader has emphatically declared that he would sooner go out of office than retain it with their support. No, Mr. Veitch, the Reform party in Wanganui is not seeking and does not desire the alliance you so foolishly suggest. But the

fact that such an alliance is neither sought nor desired does not prevent the Reform Party from acknowledging that the Official Labour candidate and his supporters in Wanganui have up to the present fought a cleanhanded fight. It is the public, recognition of that fact, Mr."Veitch, that is hurting you. If the same thing could be said about your supporters it would be different; but, unfortunately for you, the, "fruit farm scandal," the "Workshops incident," etc., make it impossible to tender you a similar compliment. By the way, Mr. Veitch. you have not yet disassociated yourself from those discreditable tactics. Do you not think you would be better employed in attempting to do that than in fabricating foolish fictions of the kind you dispensed to the electors at Imlay?