The Opposition Candidates.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11730, 4 December 1905, Page 3

The Opposition Candidates.

TO THE EDITOR.

Si r> — "On the Roll" is perfecfly-'Tight as to the respective merits of the Conservative candidates; but he states the case imperfectly. It seems that at a hole-and-corner meeting of a few of the Prohibition section of the Conservative party about three years ago, an arrangement was made that, in the event of Mr Carson's health not allowing him to stand on this occasion, Mr- Bassett should come forward. This, however, was utterly unknown to the Conservatives aa a - body; or, indeed, to anyone outside of the Prohibition clique. Still, it is possible that Mr Bassett might not have been objected to by tho general body if circumstances had lemained unchanged, though many of us have no objection to a glass of wine. About a year ago, when it seemed doubtful whether Mr Carson would be able to stand, we began to discuss the question whom to bring forward in his stead, and several gentlemen's names were mentioned, but not Mr Ba3sott. When Mr Haselden returned from South Africa, and came to reside in Wanganui, it was felt that the difficulty no longer existed. Mr Haselden had a, distinct claim on the party, as having* contested three elections, and as having represented Patea, which he would doubtless still bo doing" but for the boundaries of the district having been altered, so as to cut out tlie part where he had resided for many years, and in which he was highly respected, and to include land on the other side, where Mr Symes had tin 1 pull for similar reasons. Mr Haselden was therefore approached with a vietv !•> hia coming forward,' but before agreemg to do so he consulted Mr Carson and learned that the latter would not stand. He therefore announced himself as a candidate; and 1 am sure that most of us Conservatives felt disgusted when Mr Uas^tt attempted to jump the claim. Mr Basset t's action of settinghis constituents at defiance in re harbour matters shows him to be utterly unreliable as a representative, to say nothing of his evident Sixklonite proclivities. When it was lately that Mr Haselden should retire in hie favoui. I heard staunch Conservatives say that, in such a case, they would vote for Mr Hogan to keep Bassett out. If Mr Bassett is sincere in wishing to secure the seat for the Opposition, let him retire. I enclose jny name and am TRUE BLUE.