THE OPPOSITION SPLIT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11729, 2 December 1905, Page 6

THE OPPOSITION SPLIT.

A Passage at Arms In the Opera

House

Between Meaaf« Haaelden and

Sasstttt.

Mr W. G. Bassott, at the conclusion of his' Opera House speech last evening, said lie was sorry to see in that evening's "Herald" a letter charging him with striking under the belt. He had never done s-.icli a thing in his lifci and he had certainly not done anything of the kind daring this contest. The writer of tli-a letter took exception to, the-fact- that a number of free copies of that morning's Chronicle had .been sent out. That was a fact, land he said at once that it had been done by his committee and with his sanction. The idea had not originated with him, trat- with his committee, although he,/ of course, would j> a y i° r The practice was a common one, and t.iode who were opposed to him could do the same thing if they wished. The gentleman who had made a charge out of this, and who had' also accused the Chronicle of unfairness, had been given more space in that paper than he (Mr Baes-att) had. had' during the contest. (A voice — What about thi.3 morning's leader?) As to liis candidature, he made no apology to any candidate- or anyone else. He had lived amongst them for years, and had been honoured by their confidence in electing him at different times to . practically every body in the place. He had been asked time and again to allow himself to be nominated -as a • candidate for the House, and he had thi3 time deter- 1 mined to enter the field. In the past he had supported- Mr Carson, and would have done so again had that gentleman been •able. to stand this time. Lasf election he had supported Mr Baker, and when the contest was over he had been asked by certain people if he -would bo a candidate next time/ He had replied that in all, probability hb would. And yet it was •suggested that because the other" Opposition candidate had announced himself beforo he had done co he (Mr Bassett) should not have come out. Ho claimed the risfht to announce himself just whenever he chose. (Applause.) The- other candidate had never approached or consulted him, and he did not blame him for not having done so. But ho did claim that he was under no obligation to consult that gentleman. That gentleman had as much right to contest the seat as he (Mr Bassett) had. Ho had not said one single word with a view to domg his opponent an injury. He had not been blind to the policy that* had been pursued for. some weeks by certain people, but he knew that the Premier and tho 'Herald" Jiad recognisad him- as the strongest Opposition candidate. (Applause, and a voice — What about Ilaseldou?)" It was because of that that, cortain Government supporters had sought to depreciate hi -mand appreciate his opponent. It was, ho supposed, ordinary election tactics, and he did not object to it, but he asked them to use their common sense, weigh tho facts,' and then, if they wished to win the seat for the Opposition, cast their votes for the man whom they considered to be the strongest candidate. If they sent him to Wellington he would "esteem it an honour, and would devote a great portion of his time to serving thorn to tho best of his ability. (Loud applause.) After the usual questions had been answered by the candidate, Mr F. 11. IIASELDEN, who had conic into th<' nicotine; .shortly after 9 o'clock, rose and said that just prior to his first' speech m the Opera House, he had asked Mr Bassett to take the chair for him, but the latter stated he could not do so. having to attend the Sawmillcr's Conference in Palmerfiton. It was a good opportunity for Mr Bassett to say he was coming out for the seat, but he did not do so. Had he done so, he (Mr Haselden)' would have contested the Rangitikei seat, and given Mr Bassett a fifee field. 'No oue could say. therefore, that he (Mv Haselden') had not been fair and square over the election. Mr juassett said that Mr Ilaseldou had, a few days before his meeting ask-rc! him to take the chair, and he asked Mr Haselden why he did not ask tho Mayor. On being told that the latter was out of town, he suggested the senior Councillor. But Mr Haselden said he preferred him (Mr Bassett). He was surprised, as Mr Haseldon know perfectly well ho was a possible candidate, but he did not like to give a straight-out answer that he would not take it, and said he would consider and let him know. A few minutes after, he came back to Mr' Haselden's office, and told him ho had an engagement at Palmerston and could not take the chair. He did not say ho would take it if not otherwise engaged, and he had no long conversation about the election with Mr Hasejden, and never said one word about the election, the whole conversation only lasting some 5 or 6 minutes. Mr Haselden said that was true, but why did not Mr Bassett take the opportunity of saying he was coming out. j\s to knowing Mr Bassctfc was a possible candidate, ho had heard several names mentioned, Messrs Kettle, Carson, Bake.-, j and others. Mr David Peat had told him that Mr Bassett was not in good health, and he thought he would- not come out. At this point the Chairman interposed, reminding Mr Haselden that he must coufine himself to questions, and the latter, complying with the Chairman's ruling, resumed liis seat. Mr Bassett said he had a perfect right to announce himself when he chose. At the time of the conversation with' Mr Haseldon. Le was only a possible candidate, and there was no need for him. to say he was coining out, and it was not much credit to Mr Haselden to pin him down, as a possible candidate, and ask him to take the chair. The incident then closed, having created not a little- interest among the audience, who 'were' about equally <Uvjcled in th^jjappisCnse to the two' disputants.