THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15993, 9 December 1919, Page 5

THE ASHBURTON SEAT.

STATEMENT BY HOWARD ELLIOTT., ' (Per United Press Association.) "W ELLINGTON, December 8, 1 Regarding the alleged offer tea candidate in the Ashburton contest, Rev. Howard Elliott states; on behalf of the P.P.A., that he interviewed Mr H. M. Jones with reference to his candidature as it was considered locally that Mr Jones might divide the Protestant vote. He urged Mr Jones on this account to withdraw from the contest, and said he understood the P.P.A. would meet any expenses incurred up to that date. Mr Jones requested a week to consider the request, and pledged himself to treat it confidentially. He declined to stand down, intimating that he believed it to be a matter of religious duty to stand. Rev. Elliott says the suggestion of a seat in the Legislative Council is so nonsensical that it is unworthy of notice. Neither Mr Massey nor Mr Nosworthy was consulted, nor were they aware of the intention to approach Mr Jones. DENIAL BY HON. NOSWORTHY. ASHBURTON, December 8. Interviewed this afternoon in regard to the alleged offer to Mr Jones, the Hon. W. Nosworthy stated that so far as be was concerned, he denied absolutely having anything to do with the alleged offer as stated by Mr Jones to have been made to him. and 1 purporting to state that he had been offered a seat in the Legislative Council if he would retire in favour of Hon. Nosworthy. Hon. Nosworthy added that he had no interest whatever in any of the candidates, and was fighting the election entirely on his own merits; and, further, the Government with which he was associated would in no sense countenance any such move. Any statements to the contrary were absolutely false. MR.-JONES’ STATEMENT. . Mr H. M. Jones, Democratic Liberal candidate for Ashburton, and former secretary of the Protestant Political Association there, informed the Guardian reporter that two weeks ago Mr Howard Elliott came to him and asked him to withdraw from contesting the seat in favour of the Hon. W. .Nosworthy. Mr Elliott'said; “If you will withdraw in favouV of Mr Nosworthy your #ilT be paid to date, and your name will be favourably considered and forwarded for a seat in the Upper House.” Mr Jones replied that the offer did not appeal to him, and refused absolutely to retire from the contest. Mr Jones expressed wonder as to who was responsible for these easy entrances to the Upper House.