THE OTAKI SEAT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2274, 7 October 1914, Page 7

THE OTAKI SEAT

.(To the Editor.) , Sir, —Mr. Byron Brown takes exception to the following from the report of the Levin conference, contained in your issue of the sth instant:— "There were two aspirants for tho seat, viz., Messrs. Byron Brown and AV. H. Field. Tho former, in a- communication to the Otaki and Paraparaumu branches intimated that he would stand aside if Mr. Field undertook to do so in tho event of tho voting goiug against , him." I accept Mr. Brown's challenge and quote from the .letter written by Mr. Brown to the'Paraparaumu meeting:— "Otaki, July 27, 1914. ; "I wish it to be clearly understood at your Paraparaumu meeting that I will not stand down under any conditions unless Mr. Field l undertakes to stand down in the evont of the voting going against him. I am willing to sacrifice myself and my prospects rather than spoil the Reform prospects, but Mr. Field must start on at least equal tonus with me." On Mr. Field being made aware of tho position he agreed with me as official organiser to abido by the decision of a conference of delegates from the Reform League in tho electorate, and tho conference was called accordingly. The bargain mado by Mr. Brown wis fulfilled, and tho only question, therefore, that remains to be decided is as' to Whether there is any justification for the following statement, made by that gentleman, viz.:— "The delegates who voted at Levin were elected by very' small unrepresentative meetings organised by Mr. Field's friends."

The position briefly is as follows:— The Levin branch/>f the Reform League convened a meeting of delegates and supporters of the Party, which was held at Levin on July 18 last. Tliere was an attendance of 21 gentlemen from the following centres: —Levin, OrouaDowns, Shannon, Reikiorangi, Manakau, Otaki, Foxton, Waikanae, Moutoa, Paekakariki. . At tlu's conference it was agreed that the organiser visit all parts of the electorate for tho purpose of addressing meotings and supporters ' and forming branches of the league. The programme was then drawn up by tho conference, and representative gentlemen wero asked to act as convenors in their respective districts.

In addition, the meetings wero adver- I tised in tho "Chronicle" (Levin), "Herald" (Foxton), "Standard" (Palmerston North), Tun Dominion (Wellington). It will thus be seen that the utmost publicity was given to the meetings. As to the delegates being elected by small unrepresentatvje meetings. I must say that the' meetings generally weTo well attended, as tho following will, show:— "A meeting of supporters of Reform was held at Manakau last night, when tho schoolroom was considerably overtaxed." Vide Otaki "Mail," July 31, 1914. "At Otaki 50 supporters were present, and at Waikanae over 100." Vido "Mail," and so on. ■ Owing to the outbreak of war and tho consequent political truce, no active organisation took place in the Otaki electorate, and all engagements were indefinitely postponed until such time as a definite announcement had been made regarding tho holding of the general election. I am convinced that the result of the conference reflects the views of. the Reform supporters in the Otaki electorate, —I am, etc., ARTHUR A. PAAPE, . - Orjeaiser, N.Z. Political Reform League. - October 6, 1914.