LIBERALISM

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14240, 15 December 1919, Page 5

LIBERALISM

AN APPEAL FOR UNITY. DANCER OF VOTE-SPLITTING. (Published by Arrangement.) It is regrettable two candidates are in the field against the Reformer (Mr Young). A strong and reasonable desire in the interests of Liberalism is that the man with the best chance should go fd the poll. This would give a straight-out fight between Liberalism and Reform. To the great majority of Liberals Mr Percy Watts ,2?P,§i\ls as {Tie most desirable' man to stand. He is a Hamiltonian of years’ standing and of the highest rfpute. He has made a suocess'-df'his business in the past and is ; tflc '^dnip'r'’ bartnor in the firm of Wafts, Hunt a'Arf’Xrrhstrong, barristers and solicitors. He has had years of local body experience. He was elected unopposed- Mayor of Hamilton, which , po£i i lipn > -~! h e, now worthily upholds.,,. . "As' A. president of the •Returned Soldiers’ Association, he has'proved hjpiself by his work at conference ,in. Wellington and otherwise a true and .loy^F,friend to that cause. He madea great sacrifice by volunteering as a gunner in the Expeditionary Forc-6, and saw service in France. •

A large deputation waited upon Mr Watts and literally dragged him out in the best interests of the Waikato. There are no selfish aspirations in the cause of ids standing. Strong appeals have been made to Mr Lafferty, the other candidate, from every quarter imaginable,, to stand' (lown, believing as we who know both candidates do, that Mr Watts.’ chances.of success are infinitely greater.This-’hc has refused to do. A split vote is-now to take place. Don’t play into the hands of the other side; Our cause is too great, and so is Halaour’s; Let each of us in towns and country do our best to place our vole on the side of a man who has proved himself a soldier and a man, loyal and h progressive citizen and a capable administrator; . r-' r*v