CAMOUFLAGE AND RED HERRINCS.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 127, 15 February 1918, Page 6

CAMOUFLAGE AND RED HERRINCS.

Sir, —I wonder if your correspondent, E. F. Hadfield, knows how his assumption of offended dignity strikes one? It is very like a sort of camouflage for disgruntled and disappointed aspirations. Both Mr. Massoy and Mr. I. Clark make statements in this morning's Dominion' which they can easily substantiate if necessary to convincß anyone who does not know them. Can Mr. E. F. Hadfield do the same? He admits he deliberately stayed away from the Reform League meeting, and by that admission discounts anything lie may say regarding the discussion of candidates which took place there. Anyhow, all this talk of a political "boss" and so on is simply a very feeble red herring. We all know perfectly well the real power behind Mr. Brandon's candidature; and if it comes to that I consider that tho Prime Minister has a better right to select a Reform candidate than either Mr. M. Myers or Mr. Sievwright or Mr. Whyte.

Those of us who worked for the partj when it was in the told shades of opposition know how much wo owe to those gentlemen 1 have mentioned. Of those who wero loyal then one thought all had sincerely given their allegiance to the National Government until tlio colossal and all-absorbing business of winning the- war was accomplished. Apparently not so. There arc a few so wrapped up in their own .Hclf-sufiiciency that sooner than sink one petty personal grievance they will throw open the door to Mr. Holland and all he stands for!

There are those of us (not a few either) who believe that by consistently and strenuously supporting the National Government candidate. Mr. J. P. Luke, we will slam that door hard in Mr. Holland' l ; face. Then, Sir, Mr. Brandon, Mr. Hadfield, and their coterie will find themselves in excellent company—on the wrong side of it \— 1 am, etc., CENTRAL TERRACE. February 14. WHY THESE LAY^YERS?^ Sir,—Can you tell me by what right the lawyers of Wellington North claim to represent the feeling of the electorate? 1 am' quite tired of them.' We hav6 Lawyer Myers. Lawyer Jackson, Lawyer Hadfield, lawyer _ this and lawyer that, trying to decide between themselves what is to be done with the rest of us. You find them experimenting here and experimenting thera in search of a possible memberand finally Mr. Sievwriglit's candidate, Lawyer de Bathe Brandon, is thrust upon us. I really am qu'te tired of these lawyers, and feel a complete change would be a relief. I_ don't know wliat other electorates think of us; what with our ink-slinging professors and our wire-pulling lawyers; but I do know I' am out to stand by tlio National Government when they need it, and vote for J. P. Luke. —I am, etc., GROVE ROAD.

Mr. J. P. Luke will address a meeting at trie club room, Pitt Street-, Wndestown, to-night. On Tuesday livening Mr. Luke will speak at fcho Methodist Schoolroom, Northland. Mr. H. E. Holland will speak at Kelburn Kiosk to-night, and at.Northland 011 Monday. A meeting 111 support of Mr. Holland will be held in the Post Office Square at noon to-day.