The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, DECEMBER, 5, 1919. ANOTHER FABRICATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17733, 5 December 1919, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, DECEMBER, 5, 1919. ANOTHER FABRICATION

Judging by the diligent efforts of the "Wanganui Herald" to dress its front window with every discoverable "appreciation of Mr. Veitch," the local champion of Wardism is finding it difficult to persuade the Liberals to again give that gentleman the glad hand. There is an old saying, "good wine needs no bush," but apparently it has no application so far as Mr. Veitch is politically concerned. Else why this laboured hunting for every stray word of .kindly and well-meant appreciation which generous and broad-minded opponents choose to speak or write? And why are these generous tributes being deliberately twisted to serve an electioneering purpose for which they were never intended? The "Chronicle" has never spoken in other than appreciative terms of Mr. Veitch's work for the constituency, nor has it ever published a line which could be honestly construed to indicate that we hold other than a good opinion of him as a citizen. In its latest collection of misapplied tributes, published last evening, the "Herald" reproduces a couple of references to Mr. Veitch reported "to have been made respectively by Mr. J. P. Luke and Mr. G. Hunter, both well-known Reformers. In the circumstances, and subject to the obvious considerations which prompted the statements, the "Chronicle" would unhesitatingly say of Mr. Veitch precisely what Messrs Luke and Hunter are reported to have said, viz., that "Labour men like Mr. Veitch do a great deal of good in Parliament." Both gentlemen were addressing their constituents, both (as the "Herald" admits) were expressing their dislike of the extremists, and, quite naturally, they expressed the opinion that "Labour men like Mr. Veitch" contrasted favourably with the out-and-out redraggers, and, by reason of the contrast" thus afforded, served a useful purpose in Parliament. Both gentlemen had in mind the fact, which the "Chronicle" has always recognised, that during the trying period of the war the Member for Wanganui opposed himself to the disloyalists and associated himself with the loyalists. But neither gentlemen intended to suggest that because during the existence ot fhe National Gojvernment Mr. Veitch followed the 'only course open to him as the representative of an intensely loyal and patriotic constituency, it would be in jthe best interests of the Dominion now to re-elect him as an avowed (supporter of the Liberals under the ! leadership of Sir Joseph Ward. In addition to the statements made by Messrs Luke and Hunter, the "Herald" reproduces—with' an addition of its own—a gleeful allusion to the "New Zealand Herald's" generous reference to its candidate. It says: "Even the turmoil of a general election has not prevented an influential Reform journal like fhe 'New Zealand Herald' from giving him unstinted prai.se, and frank- ! iy expressing- the hope tiiat he will be re-elected." The truth is that the "N.Z. Herald" I has never expressed such a hope. j The article to which our contemporary refers was reproduced in its" entirety in its own columns, and we challenge it to quote from that ar-

tide anything to warrant the statement that the "N.Z. Herald" desires to see Mr. Veitch re-elected. Perhaps, however, we had better Jot the N.Z. Herald" speak for itself. It has made a further reference to Mr."

Veitch within the past day or two, as under: — It seems fairly certain that if the Liberals could lay down the rules of the election contest they would win with something to spare. Four months ago it was to be a fight to a' triumphant finish. Now we are told in all solemnity ' that Mr. Massey should be careful where he puts up candidates. There are the little sins of Auckland West and Auckland East and the unpardonable sin of Wanganui. As to Wanganui, the Liberal plea : is that '•Reform sincerity in the matter of the extremists and their attitude towards the war, and their future aims, requires that Reform should help Mr. Veitch to get in again." Were it possible to class this among the election jokes, Reformers would know how to take it. but as an appeal to their sincerity it must leave them rather puzzled. Mr. Voitch . . . has ' declared himself against the Government. What further excuse should Mr. Massey need in this contest for seeking *to win his seat? And thisiis what the "Wanganui Herald" describes as "frankly expressing the hope that Mr. Veitch will be re-elected!" Thus is still another fabrication exposed. The pith of the matter, then, is this: Mr. Veitch as a local representative has to the best'of his ability done his duty; but, in doing it, he has done no more than any other ordinarily intelligent man in the same position could and would have done. His attitude in relation to the war was commendable; but it was no more commendable than the attitude of every one of the thousands of loyal electors whom it was his bounden duty to loyally represent. To-day the country faces the difficult problems of the future, problems which cau only | be solved by a strong, stable and i statesmanlike Government. Mr. • Veitch has pledged himself to support the Liberals (under Sir Joseph Ward) against the Reformers (under Mr. Massey), Sir Joseph Ward cannot hope to hold office save with the help and under the dominance of the Holland-Semple group of extremists, j Such a consummation would spell national disaster. Hence the preservation of the national interests render imperative the rejection of Mr. Veitch. And that is why wes deem it to be our duty to oppose him to the uttermost of our ability. His death-bed repentance, which he plaintively and vaguely voiced last night comes too late. We know what Mr. Cuttle will do, and we know we can trust him to do it.