CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17733, 5 December 1919, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE.

PATEA SEAT

(Published by Arrangement.)

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —A lot of capital is being made out by a certain section of Mr Pearce' supporters, namely, that Mr Powdrell is mainly prompted by personal and private spite in opposing Mr Pearce for the Patea seat at the coming election. Now, is it fair or honest on their part to keep reiterating that inaccuracy in the face of solid, genuine facts? When Mr Pearce's supporters realised that there was not the ghost of a chance of his defeating Mr Morrison, sooner than lose the seat for the Reform Party they looked about and finally selected Mr Hawken. Mr Powdrell was simply not thought of because of certain domestic reasons. Therefore, realising the hopelessness of Mr Pearce winning the seat, it was decided to call a public meeting of the Reform party by advertisement in the "Wanganui Chronicle," Patea Press, "and Hawera Star, to be held in Hawera, when in response over fifty supporters were present. After discussing the situation it was finally resolved by the meeting to take a secret ballot to choose between Mr Hawken and Mr Pearce, when Mr Hawken received 28 votes and Mr Pearce 21. Knowing Mr Hawken had declined definitely to stand against Mr Pearce, what was to be done? Was there any hppe of Mr Pearce giving way? Perhaps, they argued, if a deputation of Reform supporters interviewed him and pointed out the hopelessness of getting him returned, he might stand down for his popular long-standing friend, Mr Hawken. A deputation was accordingly appointed to interview Mr Pearce and place before him the true position of affairs, but when approached he cavalierly refused to entertain not only Mr Hawken, but any other nominee whom they might choose. Possession nine points! How dare they dispute his prior right? etc. Here was a quandary. What was to be done? Then as a last resort Mr Powdrell's name was fixed on. Would Mr Powdrell stand His was the next name to Mr Hawken's on everyone's lips. Subsequently a wire was dispatched to Mr Powdrell asking him to meet a deputation. Up to the meeting with that deputation Mr Powdrell had not the remotest idea of contesting the Patea seat. Let that be clearly and distinctly understood. When at last, after considerable hesitation, Mr Powdrell finally agreed to stand if a requisition signed by a large and influential number of Reform supporters requested him to do so, which was accordingly done.

In the face of those indisputable facts is it fair or honest to keep reiterating that Mr Powdrell entered the contest for pure, personal spite? —I am, etc.,

ALEX HUNTER, Chairman of Mr Powdrell's Com mittee.