HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 24, 16 November 1943, Page 5

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

AN ECHO OF THE ELECTION Mr Will Appleton, avlio contested the Wellington Central election as a National Party candidate at the general election has receiA'ed from his prisoner of Avar son, Dmcr 'Jan E. Appleton, avlio has been at Stalag VITSI3 for the past 2 1 -> ycar.'( a let-* ter Avhich has surprised him very much and also given him some concern. "The date of the eommuniea- ; tion,'" he says, "was July 18. After acknowledging mail and giA'ing us tlie latest iicavs concerning himself, my son makes this extraordinary statement: 'Unfortunately the letter It Avas hoping for did not arrive telling me of your standing for the Democratic Labour Soldiers' Party Avhich had come through in a iicavs bulletin from N.Z. House. Jan Romans (this young chap is with lan and was my organiser in the Wellington Central Electorate in 1935) and I are both very puzzled at your standing for this party, as it seems like Lee's party reformed. Lee is the left wing Labour while your interests haAe ahvays been Liberal.' "As it happens," said Mr Appleton, 'T Avas not selected as the National Party candidate for Wellington Central until Thursday, July 29, and my candidature had not been announced prior to that date, nor was it cvc.r suggested that I should stand for the Lee Party. It Avould appear, therefore, as if there Avas some influence at Avorlt to undermine my chances, and if the statement which Avent to Germany Avas circulated in Great Britain" and in the Middle East one can easily understand the reaction. I feel, therefore, that the Government should be called upon to make a statement because Avhat lias apparently occurred may have taken place in regard to other llNational candidates,"