VIEWS OF CORRESPONDENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 126, 14 February 1918, Page 6

VIEWS OF CORRESPONDENTS

MR. BRANDON'S CHANCE OF FRONT. (To the Editor.) Sir,—lt is time the public were informed of something that happened at tho meeting of the Reform League when Air. Luke's candidature was endorsed, and so nail down for all time Air. Brandon's statement regarding the "political machine," that he made so much of at his meeting last night. Air. Brandon was present at tile meoting, and his name was mentioned as a probable candidate, and ho immediately declined for reasons which he stated. You can imagine the surprise in Reform circles when his candidature was announced after his very definitely expressed statement that he could not bo a candidate.—l am, etc., AY. I. CLARK. February 13, 1918. Sir, —Your footnote to the letters of "Northland" are somewhat misleading. It is now admitted that before any suggestion or pretence of consulting supporters of the Reform Party was made, Air. Luke's candidature as the selected candidate of the Government was announced., and that no public disclaimer was made. To more than one deputation and to a small meeting of Reform electors, Air. Alassey intimated that no candidate could be approved without consultation with Air. Luke. Is it not evident that in such circumstances any further suggestion of names of candidates was absurd, as they must bo submitted to Air. Luke, whose approval would bo regarded by him as hari-kari?. Air. Brandon's supporters could not accept the condition of Air. Luke's approval, and naturally did not attend tho final small meeting which was ostensibly called to feelect a candidate, although tho candidate had really been previously determined on. What understanding or half-promise Air. Luke had elicited from the Prime Alinistor is not clear. What is clear is that Wellington North electors wcro no party to it. They have put forward a consistent supporter of Reform, who can win the seat for the Government and the Reform Party, but could do so tho moro easily if loft unhampered by tho competition of a candidate with n political experience so variegated as tliat of Mr. Luke.—l am, etc., E. F. HADFIELD. February 13. [Our correspondent plainly is in error as to electors of Wellington North being no party to Air. Luke's candidature, as he will perceive by a perusal of Air. Alassey's statement on the subject which appears elsewhere in this issue. The meeting of tho Reform League, at which Air. Brandon was present, when Air. Luke's candidature was approved by 22 out of the '23 members in attendance, represented, wc should imagine, at least as large a section of the electors as was represented by tho little coterie of gentlemen who persuaded Air. Brandon to stand after various other possible candidates had been approached and declined the honour,]