CORRESPONDENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2160, 16 August 1907, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE

MR. AIcLACHLAN AND ASHBURTON PROHIBITIONISTS. [To the Editor.] Sir, —In this morning’s issue, a correspondent signing himself “A Christian,” says: “The honorable member for Ashburton is a staunch Prohibitionist. To this he has owed his election and retention as the elect of his district, and against him no candidate, however able and gifted, would have had a ghost of a chance if he were less thorough on this one plartk.” Will you permit me to state that this is absolutely untrue. Mr. McLaelilan doubtless had the support of many who voted “No-License,” but as a party the Prohibitionists did not officially countenance liis candidature or support him in any way. In confirmation of this I receiyod to-day a wire from a leading official of the “NoLicense” party in Ashburton. Your correspondent knows perfectly well that Mr. McLaelilan was the nominee of the late Mr. Seddon, and that the last election was fought out on party lines, Mr. McLaelilan representing tile Government - interests, and it is far from creditable to his manhood to thus hit below the belt under cover of a. nom de plume. Your correspondent’s attack upon the Ministers of the Gospel is unworthy of notice, only in as far as it emphasises the fact that in order to defend the liquor traffic it is necessary to traduce those who represent the best and most sacred in our community.—l am, etc., C. PALK, Agent “N.Z. Alliance.” Gisborne, August 15.