Ousted Minister's Outburst Surprises Liberal

Chronicle (Levin), 23 December 1949, Page 5

Ousted Minister's Outburst Surprises Liberal

Received Friday, 11.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, Dec. 22. Mr. Hubert Opperman, the former champion cyclist, who as Liberal candidate narrowly defeated the former Minister of Defence, Mr. J. J. Dedman, in the electorate of Corio, expressed surprise at the lack of restraint shown by Mr. Dedman in his outburst against the result of the poll. Mr. Dedman saicl a gang of scaremongers had gor.e from door to door frightening people into voting Liberal. and that his scrutineers were prepared to swear that 80 per cent of the Communist votes favoured Mr. Opperman. "I would not have been proud to retain the seat on their vote," concluded Mr. Dedman. "I shall return in 1952 to remove the yoke of oppression which the electors have thrust upon themselves in this election." Mr. Opperman commented: "In the sporting arena a gracious acceptance of defeat is regarded as an essential virtue. Mr. Dedman's attempt to link my success with Communist co-operation savours of the humorous. One reason for my entry into politics was a deep and heartfelt dread of the ti;end _ of socialism and its close association with Commpnism. All the scrutineers signed a declaration that they wotfM not disclose any knowledge officially acquired touching the vote of any elector."